Page 6 - Open Sky Annual Report 2020
P. 6

  Coping, Responding and Reimagining
  The study will investigate whether the Zentangle® Method, which encourages participants to relax and to create their own individual drawings, can improve symptoms and daily functioning. Study participants will include interested individuals served by Open Sky. UMass’s Dr. Alair Newman, who is one of those charged with leading the study, is enthusiastic about this venture. “It is so exciting to see UMass promote mindfulness based techniques, such as Zentangle, as a part of mental health treatment,”
explains Newman.
The Zentangle Method is described as an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns (called tangles). We’re particularly excited to be part of the UMass study as Zentangle founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts are long-time supporters of Alternatives, which joined with The Bridge of Central Massachusetts in 2018 to form Open Sky and have continued to support the organization.
Last year, Zentangle volunteers offered a series of classes free of charge to youth attending our Safe Homes Drop-in program for LGBTQIA+ youth. When asked about Zentangle’s involvement with the UMass study, Maria Thomas said, “We are thrilled and honored to be working along with the UMass MIND Clinical and Research Program. Our goal is to bring to the study participants the relaxation and a sense of creativity that we have found to result when drawing with the Zentangle Method.”
5 Open Sky Community Services Annual Report 2020
Open Sky to Participate in UMass Medical School Study
Open Sky is pleased to be participating in an art therapy study for serious mental illness that’s being sponsored by UMass Medical Schools’ MIND Clinical & Research Program.
“Our goal is to bring to the study participants the relaxation and a sense of creativity that we have found to result when drawing with the Zentangle Method.”
 

























































































   4   5   6   7   8