THE HISTORY OF CHILL & SPILL

Inspired by the tragic events of 9/11, Art with Heart began researching ways to be able to impact the masses of children affected by such devastating trauma, many who will suffer in silence as they grow up. Mental health practitioners say that children are often an afterthought amid catastrophe — even though they’re at real risk for a host of psychosocial ills. Moreover, the rising number of recent calamities has raised real concern: are we facing a generation of youth who will be permanently psychologically scarred? Art with Heart is working to help compensate for the overwhelming number of youth affected and the limited number of professional mental health counselors and services available.

It took several years, much research and the heartfelt collaboration and counsel of psychologists, art therapists and Child Life Specialists, before the book was ready. Our goal was to combine excellent and meaningful therapeutic activities with age-appropriate, engaging visuals in order to break down the barriers and reach youth in need of additional emotional support.

Combining creative writing exercises with expressive art activities, this guided, therapeutic journal presents art that teens can relate to. Twenty artists – whose work the kids will recognize from MTV, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Sony Music, Starbucks and more – were chosen for their ability to visually relate to this hard-to-reach population. Each one of them donated their talent to this project.

The co-author of the project, Jeanean Jacobs, MA, ATR-BC, CPAT, CPC, is professionally certified as a National Board Certified Art Therapist whose training and background in crisis management made her especially suited to help reach this vulnerable population.

Chill & Spill came off the press just as Hurricane Katrina struck. Our mission was about to be put into action.

SUFFERING & STRENGTH

During the time we spent in Louisiana, we worked with youth in shelters and trained school counselors from a 9-parish area how to use the book to head off the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For many of the children we worked with, the loss of family and home was NOT the most traumatic thing that had happened to them in their young lives. For many of these children, this was the first time, under the care of the Red Cross, that they would be fed three solid meals in a day. Among those especially at risk for developing PTSD were youth who experienced any social, physical or psychological difficulties BEFORE the disaster.

Art with Heart left behind enough Chill & Spill journals to help 1,500 high school students affected by the disaster and trained approximately 40 school counselors and administrators. The feedback we continue to receive has been overwhelmingly positive.

The innovative book is now in use by various populations including kids affected by stressors such as illness, death, abuse, divorce, homelessness, etc. From the survivors of Hurricane Katrina to children of divorce – Chill & Spill helps youth convey both their suffering and strength, reducing the symptoms of trauma, facilitating healing, promoting coping skills and building self-confidence.

A HEALING JOURNEY

Chill & Spill’s layout brings the user on a progressive journey of self-discovery. It begins with non-threatening, confidence-building activities and slowly leads towards trauma exploration, and then back out again into inspirational and aspirational goal-exploration.

Chill & Spill is effective because it gives youth a safe place for complete and total expression. It allows them to become active participants in their own healing, to communicate grief and loss, and to see themselves as survivors rather than victims – a critical step in trauma recovery. It works because it is an accessible and immediate resource and is based in cognitive behavioral, narrative and art therapies.

The book and the accompanying companion piece can be purchased at our online shop. All proceeds go back to help Art with Heart reach more children in need.