Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

Dozens of people joined with DBHIDS and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program on Sept. 24 at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children to dedicate artist James Burns’ “Embracing the Light,” a community-driven mural project that raises awareness about suicide prevention and mental health resources.

Developed through mindful writing workshops and a performance supported by First Person Arts, the project included input from a committed steering committee and hundreds of participants during public paint days at the hospital.

The mural enhances St. Christopher’s legacy of using art to uplift patients, families, and staff. Burns, who has spent over a decade using art to spark conversations about suicide prevention, designed a piece that promotes dialogue and reduces stigma.

This mural not only transforms the hospital’s exterior but also invites essential conversations about mental health, especially for young people and their families.

If you or a loved one is in crisis, call or text 988.

Click for photos from the event at Facebook.com/DBHIDS