The 2023 Fair is tentatively scheduled to take place in late September.
The Aspen Strong Mental Health Fund held at Aspen Community Foundation fund subsidizes mental health services for under-insured and uninsured individuals and families who cannot afford to pay for them. Scholarships are awarded for up to 10 sessions per request for private therapy, group therapy and psychiatric assessment.
The title Faulty Human comes from artwork and inspiration from local High School student and artist, Axel Livingston:
“Mental illness is a continuous cycle for me, the second I think I have one base covered I seem to slip up on another. I find myself trapped in the jaws of something I don’t quite understand. I’ve found it very helpful to express the pain & try to unattach from it. It’s beneficial to attribute my pain to a condition rather than think of myself as a faulty human. The idea around this piece is mental growth. I have only grown because I expressed myself. There is a profound power in acknowledging & releasing pain and discomfort. However we may do this, it all works the same”.
In reading is explanation of what mental illness meant to him, we realized the shame that may come with the feeling of being a faulty human. However, we are all perfectly imperfect. We are all “faulty” in some way. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate our differences and our similarities. To come together as one, one community, that encourages people to be proud of who they are, and to provide as many resources and tools that support the four pillars of mental fitness.
The fund is low, and the demand for the fund has increased over the last two years. The fund is distributing around $80,000 a year, and we need to raise more money in order to be able to continue to support that figure. The Aspen Strong Mental Health Fund held at Aspen Community Foundation is vital to our region.
We need your help in making sure that we can continue to offer financial support to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to receive therapy.
This year, our goal is to reach $100,000 in support of The Aspen Strong Mental Health Fund held at Aspen Community Foundation. A donation of $1250 supports the maximum allowed per person, per grant request. A donation of $125 supports one therapy session. A donation large or small can make a big impact on the communities mental well-being!