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VOX-a-Palooza ’17 Brings Mental Health Awareness to Atlanta Teens

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This video produced by Mikael Trench, VOX multimedia teen editor, shares highlights and voices from the day at VOX-a-Palooza 2017.

 

VOX-a-Palooza was held at the Phillip Rush Center in Candler Park / East Atlanta.

Through a teen-led event called VOX-A-Palooza, on April 29, VOX brought education about mental health and showcased our special coverage on the same issue to metro-Atlanta teens and their families.

The print publication, titled “Breaking Through: The Mental Health Issue” covered everything from the representation and lack thereof in the hip-hop community to the relationship between hypermasculinity and mental health to mental illness stigma in the black community. (All of the articles will also be published throughout the month of May on our digital platform with several additional multimedia and features online here.)

The multi-faceted event displayed teens’ original works, invited teens to make buttons and speak out about mental health and self-care with VOXATL multimedia teen editor Mikael Trench. Here are photos from the event.

VOX adult and teen staff welcomed guests to the event. The teen staff members showed the guests around and invited them to take an issue of the new publication and speak out about mental health.

 

VOX Investigates member Amariyah, author of “The Yeezy Effect” in VOX’s recent special about mental health, proudly displays an information table where guests could learn more about VOX and its programs such as VOX Media Cafe summer program.
VOX Investigates member Amariyah, author of “The Yeezy Effect” in VOX’s recent special about mental health, proudly displays an information table where guests could learn more about VOX and its programs such as VOX Media Cafe summer program.

 

In the main room, teens showcased their articles on the subject of mental health. The articles ranged from to a mental health playlist to more serious subjects, such as Kayla’s piece on the stigma of mental health within the black community.
In the main room, teens showcased their articles on the subject of mental health. The articles ranged from to a mental health playlist to more serious subjects, such as Kayla’s piece on the stigma of mental health within the black community.

 

Several members of the VOX Investigates team facilitated dialogue and answered questions about their coverage of mental health. From left: Haley, Amariyah, Kayla, Thalia, Maya.
Several members of the VOX Investigates team facilitated dialogue and answered questions about their coverage of mental health. From left: Haley, Amariyah, Kayla, Thalia, Maya.

 

One of the stations invited teens to make buttons and collages about mental health with art from magazines.
One of the stations invited teens to make buttons and collages about mental health with art from magazines.

 

VOX teen multimedia editor Mikael filmed teens about self-care in one of the rooms at the Phillip Rush Center.
VOX teen multimedia editor Mikael filmed teens about self-care in one of the rooms at the Phillip Rush Center.

 

The event promoted the voices of teens, allowing for both VOX members and teen guests to give their opinions and make art.
The event promoted the voices of teens, allowing for both VOX members and teen guests to give their opinions and make art.

 

VOX-a-Palooza also provided a space for teens to hang out and have fun
VOX-a-Palooza also provided a space for teens to hang out and have fun.

The free event ended with a poetry slam. Ten finalists shared their poetry, and five were selected to be the Atlanta team going to Brave New Voices this summer.

 

Jahleelah, 17, is an activist and artist who served as a VOX teen editor this year and will begin studying public policy, French and film in the fall of 2017.

Mikael, 18, is finishing his first year at SCAD and served as VOX’s multimedia teen editor this school year. 

 

Speak up through the Atlanta Teen Survey at bit.ly/ATLTeenSvy

We’d love to hear from you! 

VOX’s annual teen survey gives teens the chance to speak up about wellness, their time outside of school, and what you care about.

READ  Social Algorithms and Political Polarization: A Teenager’s Perspective on Social Media and American Divisiveness [Opinion]

Teens in metro Atlanta can win a prize by taking the survey — click here to participate!

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