Community Mural Project: Encouraging Social Support for Members of the Amherst Community 

Presenter

Lydia Litvak

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Ellen Correa, Department of Civic Engagement & Service-Learning, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board C21, Poster Showcase Room (163), Row 3 (C21-C30) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

People worldwide experience varying degrees of health inequity - whether they struggle due to social conditions or economic disparity, the systematic differences that fuel health status of populations is seemingly interminable. As health inequality continues to suppress population groups, one factor in particular has been shown to lack in development: social support. When individuals seek support from those they trust, it has been shown to improve subjective well-being and can ultimately promote healthy decision making regarding one’s health (Li et. al, 2021). In fact over recent years, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has revealed that social support has been on the decline amongst adults who find it difficult to trust their community groups, posing a risk for health problems to arise in the future. To address this problem, I have partnered with the Amherst Survival Center (ASC) located in Western Massachusetts, an organization that works towards cultivating a more equitable and engaging environment for their members. In an effort to enhance their network of support, I will be hosting various painting workshops for all ages that will aim to elicit important dialogue through reflective prompts among those who participate. These workshops overall contribute to a community mural project in which the immersive experience behind its process will directly enhance a sense of belonging and social awareness, creating connections between others, self and place. 

Keywords

Social support, Mural, community , health inequity

Research Area

Art and Aesthetics

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