Each Thursday, UNG Peer Health Education hosts a “Mental Break with Art” where students are able to unwind with a few hours of relaxation by making art.

The event has been held since 2023, and Caydence Mcelligott, senior peer health educator, is the mind behind it.

Mcelligott said that when she first began as a peer health educator she noticed that there were a lot of events on campus that catered to spiritual and financial assistance, but that there was a lack of weekly events for mental health.

Mcelligott mentions that when she was younger, she participated in a painting event that sparked the idea for “Mental Break with Art.”

“The whole point of it is for students to come in and take a second to breathe at the end of the week, and to just make things,” said Mcelligott.

Mcelligott said that students can bring their own materials, but she tries to bring as many supplies as possible so that students can simply relax.

She says sometimes students come when they are going through something, and those emotions may be brought out during the event. 

“I remember one of my biggest challenges was someone started having a panic attack during it, and so being able to navigate that, but also be a safe space for them is something that I want to hone in on and establish,” Mcelligott said.

This experience also prompted Mcelligott to obtain training in mental health first aid so that she could better handle intense situations and be more effective in doing so.

Mental Break with Art has gained support from students. Lydia Curry, junior kinesiology major, has been attending the event each Thursday for the last year and a half, says, “I love the people, and I love Cadence, she’s awesome, and I just like the environment, I like painting.” 

Brooke Quarles, senior biology major said, “I keep coming back because this is a nice little environment. I normally have a couple friends join every other week just to hang out…It’s a nice way to wind down after my crazy day.”