Creativity, Healing, and the Launch of WISE Wellness Wednesday this Mental Health Awareness Month

At WISE, wellness is not a side conversation — it’s at the heart of everything we do. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded of a truth we hold dear: healing and creativity are deeply intertwined. For women and non-binary artists — especially those from BIPOC communities — this connection often carries a weight shaped by both personal and systemic struggles.

In the creative industries, vulnerability is often the source of brilliance. Yet conversations around mental health remain shrouded in stigma, silencing many of the voices that shape our culture. Studies continue to show that women, non-binary, and BIPOC individuals in the arts are disproportionately affected by anxiety, depression, and burnout. These are not just personal battles — they’re symptoms of an industry still learning how to care for its people.

Artists like Mitski, the acclaimed Japanese-American musician, have spoken openly about the emotional toll of performance and the pressure to constantly produce. Non-binary performers like Alok Vaid-Menon advocate for mental health and radical self-expression within marginalized communities, reminding us that seeking help is not weakness — it’s a revolutionary act of self-preservation.

At WISE, we are committed to making wellness and creativity inseparable parts of the same conversation. That’s why, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re launching WISE Wellness Wednesday — a dedicated weekly space to support, inspire, and nurture the wellness journeys of women and BIPOC artists.

Every Wednesday, we’ll share tools, stories, and practices to help you reconnect with yourself — whether that’s through a moment of stillness, a powerful quote, a journal prompt, or a reflection from one of our community members. These are small but essential steps toward reclaiming wellness in an industry that often demands we put ourselves last.

We invite you to follow along on our IG @wise_womensorg, where we’ll post weekly inspiration and updates to help you prioritize your wellness — not just this month, but all year long.

Through our retreats, workshops, and community spaces, WISE continues to create environments where artists can breathe, rest, and create without compromise. We believe that caring for oneself is an act of courage — and that there is immense power in showing up for your art and your well-being.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know:

You are not alone.

You are seen.

You are needed.

And your art matters.

With you,

The WISE Team

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month | WISE Wellness