The first mental health awareness mural in the state of Iowa was unveiled May 15 at Care Pro Health Services in the MedQuarter district in southeast Cedar Rapids.
The ceremonial unveiling was hosted by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and its “Make It OK” mental health initiative, designed to reduce the stigma around mental illness.
The mural itself, painted on the east wall of the Care Pro building at 1014 Fifth Ave. SE, depicts a heart-shaped brain surrounded by the words “be kind to yourself” in large graphic lettering.
Cedar Rapids city manager Jeff Pomeranz, who also serves as the president of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, said the mural and the “Make It OK” campaign “has to do with taking care of yourself and being kind to others, to your friends and neighbors.”
“Mental illness is a complex and often misunderstood topic,” Mr. Pomeranz said. “It’s crucial that we take steps to end the stigma surrounding mental health awareness and take opportunities to foster these important conversations around mental health and available treatment.”
Mr. Pomeranz pointed out that it’s common to encounter a friend or family member who finds themself “suddenly lost” while dealing with a mental health issue.
“It’s something that we all know of,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what your background is, where you come from or what color your skin is. It’s something that affects all. We need to take this topic very seriously, and we need to continue reaching out to those we care about with kindness and compassion.”
“This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” said MedQuarter commissioner Michelle Jensen, CEO of Care Pro’s parent company, Rayser Holdings, of the mural installation.
The east wall of the Care Pro building had been a blank canvas since the 2020 derecho destroyed many of its surrounding trees, Ms. Jensen noted.
“I had actually been bothering (MedQuarter executive director) Phil Wasta about it, (asking) when we could get a mural,” she said. “So when the Healthiest State Initiative contacted us, I was really excited about it.”
Iowa Healthiest State Initiative executive director Jami Haberl said the MedQuarter has been involved with the “Make It OK” campaign since its launch in 2020, including mental health webinars in 2020 and 2021, and noted that “Back the Black,” a sister campaign, was created in May 2023 “by and for Black Iowans to start conversations about mental health within the Black community.”
“The mural is a permanent reminder of the importance of a continued focus on mental health and the key role that mental well-being plays in each and every one of our lives,” she said. “At the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, we work to ensure every Iowan can live their healthiest life through resources and conversation.”
Mural artist Van Holmgren of Des Moines said the idea for what he termed the “Heart-Brain” mural came quickly to him.
“It’s just important to be in contact with your body and aware of yourself, knowing when you need help,” Mr. Holmgren said. “It’s hard, too, because the world is pretty quick and rough. But ‘be kind to yourself’ goes well with ‘Make It OK.’ In the process of painting it, lots of types of people walked by … and there were some people that were maybe having a mental health crisis as well. I’ve never seen a heart-brain, so I made a heart-brain. It might be weird, but I think it’s perfect.”
