Happy, upbeat music and dancing can have a positive effect on your mood!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Evanston Arts Council in 2021, NeurodiVERSED was created to address the misconceptions and misinformation surrounding those who identify as neurodiverse, as well as the damaging narrative that mental illness and disabilities are something to be cured.

Taking a five minute #BrainBreak outdoors can do wonders for relieving anxiety, stress, and depression.

Through our profile series, NeurodiVOICED, we aimed to give neurodiverse individuals a platform to share their stories, art, experiences, and celebrate the things that make them unique.

Amanda Bulgrin, Program Development Coordinator, shared, “The best part of starting the NeurodiVERSED campaign was watching the individuals grow as self-advocates and getting the see the positive feedback and interactions they had with the community when they shared their stories.”

Taking deep breaths can cause your brain to release endorphins, a neurochemical with a naturally calming effect.

Our team is thrilled to continue the mission of NeurodiVERSED in 2022. This year, the theme of NeurodiVERSED is self-care and being kind to your mind. There is a lot to keep an eye out for! All throughout the month of March, we will be sharing weekly videos of interviews of individuals sharing their brain breaks and favorite ways to practice self-care. You can also expect new merchandise, art shows, and other ways to engage with the campaign.

“We look forward to the continued growth, community connections, and shift in mindset with the NeurodiVERSED initiative,” Tina Zemen, Visibility Arts Manager, shared.