In April, the founders of the Finnish brand "CupOfTherapy", psychotherapist Antti Ervasti and artist Matti Pikkujämsä, will visit Riga and Daugavpils. The “CupOfTherapy” is a Finnish brand making mental health visible.
Both authors on April 11 at 16:00 at the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Riga will give a lecture on how to build and strengthen emotional and psychological safety, how to cope with difficult feelings like fear, and anxiety and still be able to function in everyday life, and to hold an emotional connection to others. The founders of "CupOfTherapy” will also discuss what resilience (the individual’s capacity to withstand or recover from difficulties and crises) is and how to build it. During the lecture, visitors will have access to the exhibition "Hope and Resilience", dedicated to the topics of mental health.
On April 13, a discussion will be held in Daugavpils at Daugavpils School of Art and Design "Saules skola", where the creators of "CupOf Therapy", psychotherapist Anti Ervasti and artist Mati Pikujemsa together with Margarita Stoļarova, Master of Art Therapy, deputy director of "Saules skola", Anatolijs Sandurovs, artist, graphic designer and the lecturer of the Latvian Academy of Arts and Valerijs Makarevičs, doctor of psychology, leading researcher of Daugavpils University will participate. Moderator - Ieva Johansson. The exhibition "Hope and Endurance" will be on display at the “Saules skola” from 13 to 20 April.
The “Hope and Resilience” exhibition consists of giclée art prints and original drawings. The unique hand-drawn black and white animal figures can also open new perspectives, create a human connection and give room for everyone's own reflection and interpretation. The subjects come from the experiences and memories of the creators and their friends and deal with life from sorrows and disappointments to moments of joy. The relatable animal character illustrations free us from our habituated or learned roles. For example, even a lion can be fragile instead of strong and aggressive but still be very valuable.
With the help of “CupOfTherapy”, it is possible to bring mental health talk into everyday conversations and simultaneously forget the potential feelings of shame and guilt that the word mental health is easily associated with. We must talk about our loneliness and fears, but it is also essential to know how to express our dreams, wishes, and things that bring us happiness.