In The News

April 20, 2023

The Buckeye Art Therapy Association believes in equal access to healthcare for all. We are committed to supporting those who are vulnerable to discriminatory practices which strip away their human rights, compromise personal safety, and perpetuate harm. Thus, we stand in opposition to House Bill 68: the Ohio Saving Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, which would ban vital gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary youth.

Ohio House Bill 68 would:

• Prohibit physicians from prescribing cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers, and from performing any type of gender reassignment surgery on minors 
• Prohibit healthcare providers from helping patients find gender affirming care in other states, outlawing conduct that “aids and abets” 
• Prohibit mental health professionals from diagnosing or treating a minor with a gender-related condition without consent from the patient’s legal guardian and screening the patient for comorbidities, physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse and other trauma
• Prohibit courts from considering a parent’s refusal to accept a child’s trans identity (including misgendering, deadnaming, and denying access to counseling for their child) in custody cases
• Prevent any restriction on the practice of “watchful waiting,” an approach in which medical interventions are intentionally withheld
• Mandate that mental health professionals annually report information regarding minors they have treated for gender-related conditions, including number of patients, demographic data on patients (age at diagnosis, sex assigned at birth, comorbidities), and the number of patients who resumed identification with their sex assigned at birth
• Prohibit Medicaid from covering gender transition services

The implications of HB 68 are far-reaching – effecting transgender and non-binary youth, as well as the families, friends, physicians, mental health professionals, family court systems, and social services that endeavor to protect and care for them. To support the communities affected by this proposed legislation, we encourage you to reach out and share the following resources.

Take Action!

Learn More About HB 68 – HB 68 was introduced on February 27, 2023, and received its first hearing for sponsor testimony on Tuesday, April 19^th. It is currently housed in the Ohio House Public Health Policy Committee. The House Bill 68 - 135th General Assembly webpage gives you access to the bill text, summary, status, votes, and committee member list. https://ohiohouse.gov/legislation/135/hb68

Ohiohouse.gov – Provides contact information for each member of the Public Health Policy Committee and allows. https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/public-health-policy

ACLU Ohio – Provides a script and pre-filled form for sending a message to the House Public Health Policy Committee. https://action.aclu.org/send-message/protect-trans-youth-stop-hb-68

Human Rights Campaign – By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. https://www.hrc.org/about

TransOhio – TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support, and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. http://transohio.squarespace.com/

Equality Ohio – Ohio’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy and legal aid organization. https://equalityohio.org/

May 28, 2022

The Buckeye Art Therapy Association (BATA) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life that took place in Uvalde, Texas this week. We send our condolences to the 21 families in mourning and recognize the need for universal grieving as our nation confronts yet another preventable act of violence against our most innocent and vulnerable.

When 19 children, and 2 teachers committed to helping them learn and grow, are targeted in what should be a safe environment, we have witnessed a societal failure. As we now rush to respond, we are reminded of what could’ve been if prevention was prioritized.  

Going forward, BATA supports collaborative efforts between mental health professionals and lawmakers to identify initiatives that improve management of access to guns and promote public safety. Additionally, BATA continues to advocate for accessible and equitable mental healthcare across OH.

As an association, we value our members and their efforts to help others in need. We hope the following resources may assist you in taking care of yourself, your families, and your clients at this time.

Fund for Families of Victims and Survivors of the Uvalde School Shooting

A grassroots civil rights organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens has set up a fundraising site for the families of victims and survivors of the Uvalde shooting

https://lulac.org/uvaldefund/

Comprehensive School Safety

Resources to help individuals and state associations advocate for the recommended policies and practices to improve school safety

https://www.nasponline.org/research-and-policy/policy-priorities/critical-policy-issues/comprehensive-school-safety

Caring for Kids After a School Shooting

A video from the Child Mind Institute regarding best practices for treating children after a school shooting in their community

https://childmind.org/article/caring-for-kids-after-a-school-shooting/

Biopic Mental Health

Mental health resources for black, indigenous, and people of color from Mental Health America

https://www.mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health

Gun Violence Trauma: Resources for Counselors and Consumers

Trauma counseling resources from the American Counseling Association

https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/gun-violence-trauma-resources

Take Care of Your Emotional Health (For Your Clients & The Public)

Resources from the American Counseling Association

https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/mental-health-resources/trauma-disaster/take-care-of-your-emotional-health-for-your-clients-and-the-public

Gun Violence: Prediction, Prevention, and Policy

An overview of research-based conclusions and recommendations on how to reduce the incidence of gun violence from the American Psychological Association

https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/gun-violence-prevention

Gun Violence Research

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Stopping-Harmful-Practices/Gun-Violence-Research

EVERYTOWN for Gun Safety

https://www.everytown.org/

MOMS DEMAND ACTION for Gun Sense in America

https://momsdemandaction.org/

STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION for Gun Sense in America

https://studentsdemandaction.org/about/

NAMI HelpLine

1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

 

Cheryl Pete, art therapist and Clinical Director of the Art Therapy Studio, was featured on the March 24 Wellness Wednesday segment of WOSU's "All Sides with Ann Fisher". She provided excellent information on the field and practice of art therapy, and answer questions regarding licensure. 

Listen here:

https://radio.wosu.org/post/wellness-wednesday-repurposing-drugs-pandemic#stream/0

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Buckeye Art Therapy Association Receives 2019 Best of Oberlin Award

Oberlin Award Program Honors the Achievement

OBERLIN October 21, 2019 -- Buckeye Art Therapy Association has been selected for the 2019 Best of Oberlin Award in the Non-Profit Organization category by the Oberlin Award Program.

Each year, the Oberlin Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Oberlin area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2019 Oberlin Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Oberlin Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Oberlin Award Program

The Oberlin Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Oberlin area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Oberlin Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

The art show titled “Art Heals” is engaging on multiple levels. For starters, there’s the artwork itself, representing a wide range of styles, subject matter and skill levels. But then there are the artists’ poignant stories, typed out and hanging alongside the work, that lend illumination to the visuals. Much of the art now displayed at Cyrus Custom Framing & Art Gallery was created as art therapy by people dealing with cancer, addictions, depression, domestic violence, PTSD, negative self-image and other challenges.

To view entire article, please visit: https://www.google.com/amp/www.cantonrep.com/entertainmentlife/20180506/cantons-cyrus-gallery-show-explores-art-therapy%3ftemplate=ampart

State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) gave sponsor testimony before the House Health Committee on behalf of House Bill 557. The bill would grant a license to Art Therapists to practice in the State of Ohio under the guidance of the State of Ohio Medical Board. The licensure process would enforce standards of training, practice, and discipline across a therapeutic practice that has rapidly expanded in recent years.

Professional artist and Cleveland Clinic patient Brad Bailey raised enough money to create 200 art kits for other hospitalized patients. Mr. Bailey says “I’ve found the beauty in beauty, if you know what I mean.” Art therapist Lisa Shea is helping to distribute kits.

To view entire article, please visit: http://giving.clevelandclinic.org/articles/emergency-art-kits

State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) was honored by the Buckeye Art Therapy Association (BATA) with the “Legislator of the Year Award” for her work in mental health policy, suicide prevention, and awareness regarding mental health. “I am honored and humbled to receive the ‘Legislator of the Year Award’ from the Buckeye Art Therapy Association,” said Rep. Anielski. “Art therapy is such a vital tool in helping individuals deal with trauma and pain. I am happy to advocate its use among patients that need it. I look forward to working closely with BATA in the future to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, treat those in Ohio who need treatment, and reduce the impact that suicide has on our population.”

To view entire article, please visit: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/marlene-anielski/press/representative-anielski-honored-by-the-buckeye-art-therapy-association

William M. Denihan, CEO of the ADAMHS Board receives recognition from the Buckeye Art Therapy Association that was presented by Katie Kern-Pilch, community member of the Planning & Oversight Committee. 

To view full article please visit: http://files.constantcontact.com/09cdd743501/529a3d83-5203-4e07-8346-3f2928645156.pdf