Keynote: "Drawing, Mindfulness, and Mental Health"

Speaker:  William Doan

Description: I love to draw, and the fact is, I need to draw. Drawing is one of my essential tools for maintaining my mental health and well-being. Many who live with anxiety and depression find that words are inadequate for expressing what the daily experience is like. I have found that drawing makes it easier for me to share that experience. Earlier in life, I didn’t know why I loved to draw. I didn’t really think about it. Eventually, I discovered that I needed to draw. It took decades to make the connection that drawing calms me down, makes me feel less afraid, helps me control my breathing, slows and down my racing thoughts. Drawing grounds me in the here and now. In this presentation I'll share some of my drawings, process, and introduce you to an ongoing collaboration with Penn State's Emotion Development Lab.