Institute for the Development of the Human Arts

Training - through training and education, idha disseminates knowledge about transformative mental health frameworks, strategies, and tools. Our goal is to foster "unlearning" that which we have internalized from oppressive systems and encourage people to rethink mental health education from a place of lived experience and multiple voices. Our training provides opportunities for individuals to encounter both theory and practice and develop connections to movements and modalities that exist both within and outside of the current mental health system. Trainings are facilitated in partnership by individuals with lived experience and individuals with professional training who collectively carry many dynamic perspectives and experiences. Organizing and implementation are supported by staff and volunteers. Activities are primarily conducted online via a remote/virtual learning infrastructure.

Cross-movement organizing - idha is committed to building bridges, grounded in the understanding that we must learn from a diversity of perspectives in order to grow and create meaningful change. for true transformation to occur, partnerships must be cultivated with those working toward change in a range of social movements. This work is primarily achieved through cross-movement panel discussions and the ongoing maintenance of a movement calendar. Panel events feature the perspectives and expertise of movement activists, people with lived experience, mental health providers, and other advocates. Organizing and implementation are supported by staff and volunteers. Activities are conducted online via a remote/virtual infrastructure in order to reach a wide audience.

Community building - through community building, we bring together a range of diverse stakeholders such as people with lived experience, mental health providers, activists, artists, family members, and other advocates to share wisdom and experience, with all voices valued at the same level. Our community-building initiatives not only bolster our learning and education activities but allow for more intimate spaces to strengthen a culture of curiosity and transformation. Events are facilitated by the diverse stakeholders listed above, with support from staff and volunteers. Activities are primarily conducted online via a remote/virtual community-building infrastructure. These activities are low cost, have a low barrier to entry, help build our member base, and create an environment for shared learning.