Mayor’s alliance invites mentors to mental health self-care coloring night

Charlotte, NC — Coloring isn’t just for kids, and research shows coloring offers plenty of mental benefits and has therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety and create focus. The Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance has partnered with Eustress, Inc. to present an adult coloring night for mentors.

“Mentors give a lot of themselves to their mentees,” said Rwenshaun Miller, founder of Eustress Inc. “Mentors can only give 100% to their mentees when we practice positive self-care.”

There are many actions that an individual might take to reach their best mental health, and that’s one of the reasons why the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance is inviting mentors to learn about a simple act, coloring to destress.

“A lot of times, we don’t enjoy the pleasure that we had as a kid when we become an adult,” Miller said. “Coloring is a simple way that you can introduce self-care into your daily routine.”

Miller said that just like meditation, coloring allows us to switch off our brains from other feelings and concentrate only on the moment, helping to lessen anxiety.

However, adult coloring has been shown to influence more than anxiety and can significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms.

The Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance and Eustress Inc. have a space to unwind and connect as a community with ways to keep healthy mental health habits.

“We’re going to introduce some good stress,” Miller said.

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Adult Coloring Night will be held at Queens Coffee Bar, 1720 Pegram St., Charlotte.

Coloring books, crayons, markers and colored pencils will be provided free of charge, so attendees just tear out a sheet and start coloring.

“It’s a great environment to meet people, relieve stress and just take care of you,” Miller said.

For many mentors, Miller said they attempt to meet the needs of mentees before meeting their own needs, and working to care for others often interferes with a healthy self-care routine which can take a toll on a person’s mental wellness.

“We all have good days and bad days, but some may need help to make sure that their good ones outweigh the bad,” Miller said.

The Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance connects Charlotte mentoring organizations to promote mentoring and its best practices through trainings and workshops, recognition, and establishing quality standards mentoring in the city.

Get connected with others who are passionate about mentoring and meet mentoring agencies representatives while enjoying an evening of self-care. Come ready to connect and color.

The event is free, but you’ll need to register to attend. Click this link to register.

Click here to learn more about the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance.

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