BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is still hosting events to support the community.
This weekend, they’re teaming up with eleven local artists through the organization Creative Crossing for two important causes.
“They’ve all designed and created a mural in response to suicide prevention and substance abuse recovery," said Creative Crossing co-founder Sarah Nobles.
Nobles said the artists have personal connections to these topics.
“It’s such a close and personal topic and subject to, obviously many people, but all of our artists, they have specific reasons for doing this so they’re really putting their whole heart and skills into this which we’re really grateful for," said Nobles.
Friday through Sunday, the artists will cover the sidewalks of Oleander with chalk art. Face masks are encouraged as you walk around the area, and all art pieces are visible from your car if you’d rather drive to allow maximum social distancing.
Mental Health Services Coordinator Doctor Christina Rajlal says the goal is to give community members a sense of hope.
"These beautiful pieces of artwork that are going up are really inspirational and they draw hope, and that’s what we really want to share with the community," said Rajlal.
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know it’s hard times right now with COVID. It’s deep. It’s dark. Some people are in a really tough spot in their life and these beautiful pieces of artwork really bring hope to the community and we hope that people garner that," said Rajlal
The artwork will include important information like the suicide hotline phone number. If you’d like to know the specific locations of each piece, visit Kern Behavioral Health’s website.
