#ARTUOK Art and Resource Fair Brings Awareness to Suicide Prevention

The first ever #ARTUOK Art and Resource Fair took place at the Historic Fifth Street School on September 11, 2019.

The event was the result of a task given to the Office and Community Services (OCS), Neighborhood Revitalization and Community Engagement (NRCE) team for the purpose to promote the Mayor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF).

As you may know, suicide affects close to 20 SMVF every day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

Nevada’s suicide rate is the 11th highest in the country for suicide, according to the latest numbers from the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention.

The NRCE team was inspired to take on the Mayor’s Challenge by throwing a unique event that tackled these issues through art therapy because Las Vegas has an incredible arts district and several organizations dedicated to therapeutic services.

The name, #ARTUOK, was inspired by the #RUOK? movement, which encourages others to ask, ‘are you ok?’ to support someone struggling with an array of emotions including depression and anxiety which lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.

The collaborative efforts of OCS, the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), OCA-affiliated local artists, and the many generous volunteers who believed in #ARTUOK’s purpose allowed for a night filled with activity, entertainment, and important information about suicide-prevention, self-care and other therapeutic services.

#ARTUOK’s information came from table vendors including the Nevada Department of Veteran Services, Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, the Embracing Project, Michael’s Angel Paws Therapy Animals, the National Association of Black Social Workers, Shade Tree, Trans Pride Foundation, and Trauma Recovery Yoga or T.R.Y.

The First Fridays Foundation hosted an interactive community art project the Tree of Life with artist Karma Reyes, which was donated as the grand prize giveaway for a free raffle. #ARTUOK also raffled off 14 other prizes from Flemmings, F.E.E.T.S. Basketball training and wellness team, First Fridays, and the Nik Naks.

There were live performances by Poet Laureate, Heather Lang-Cassera; teen Singer and Empowerment Speaker, Chloe J; Children’s book authors and songwriters, the Nik Naks; and youth community activists the Rolle Project Dancers. Additionally, the talented Radio Personality “Sweet” Lou Collins emceed the night making sure to leave everyone smiling and aware of all the available resources at #ARTUOK.