Welcome to MAAY: Mental health Arts Action for Young people.

Imagine and build a large-scale art project in honor of Youth Mental Health Action Day, to be revealed at the Rhody Grand Parade. Artists and facilitators from The Benji Project, The Nest, and PT Artscape support young people, ages 12-20, to create some Rhody magic! For more details please visit: Mental Health Awareness Month

2024 SUMMER CAMPS - ARE OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

Join a Benji Project camp this summer and find some moments of calm and joy together,
through art, games, meditative practices, and forest walks. 

Mindfulness in Motion (for middle schoolers): Week of July 8

Pride Camp (for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-16): Week of July 22

Camps are located in the Port Townsend / Chimacum area

Helping teens navigate emotional ups and downs with greater ease

Adolescence is a time of growth and self-discovery. But it also can be fraught with insecurity, anxiety, and depression. Mindfulness and self compassion can help teens cope more effectively with life’s challenges.

Through school and community-based programs, The Benji Project helps Jefferson County youth develop lifelong skills for stress management and emotional resilience. Our approach is based on the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens program, which teaches core principles and practices that help teens respond to the challenges of these critical years with kindness and self-compassion. Backed by research, findings indicate increases in emotional well-being and greater resilience after taking the course.

Grit & Growth: Youth Perspectives on the Pandemic

We wanted to hear from teens in their own inspiring and thought-provoking voices. From that came a six-minute video of Jefferson County teens talking about their mental health during COVID.

Are you or someone you know in need of immediate support?

Please click here to go to our mental health resources listing.