On January 23 and 24, Therapicasso continued to teach the importance of mental health through hosting a 2-day “Comfort Capsule” workshop at Park Elementary. Comfort Capsules essentially starts off with a gray tin and that would be decorated using stickers and washi tapes. Comfort Capsules give a sense of identity to people, based on what they like, what comforts them, and overall gives the audience an insight on what type of person the creator is. The comfort capsule is a comfort item and is meant to be an item that really represents a person in order for them to feel a safe connection towards it. Therapicasso worked hand in hand with Park Elementary School to provide the students there a sense of comfort and mindfulness by allowing them to make something that they can refer back to when they need comfort or emotional support. The workshop, through allowing for collaboration between students, also emphasizes the importance of building a community to always be there for one another when needed. 

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The Comfort Capsules allow for students to make their own capsule and use their own imagination to find what brings them comfort. These capsules are meant to give students a sense of security when they are struggling emotionally,  and are used as support. This support gives them a sense of calm and familiarity when they are feeling overwhelmed  and allows students to deal with their negativity in a healthy manner. 

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Comfort Capsules aren't merely about building the capsules, they allow for others to understand your struggles and true thoughts. Working together to build a capsule doesn’t only secure bonds but it gives people the chance to be seen and heard. Through shared interests and comfort, this allows students to be vulnerable. 

Vulnerability is important both in allowing one to be true to themself, and to give courage and strength to others, inspiring them to do the same. Sharing allows them to lift a heavy weight off their shoulders and adds meaning to their comfort capsules, as it allows them to express intense, honest emotions. Especially during these circumstances where many families and friends are being torn apart from each other due to the ICE raids that are currently happening, these comfort capsules remind students of not just themselves but where they were from and overall their sense of identity and familiarity. During these times it is incredibly difficult for students to reach out for help and comfort during these times that can create a lot of confusion and fear for kids. And with the supportive environment that this workshop has created, it has allowed many students to open up about their own thoughts and feelings which makes bonds that were made through workshops like this to create lifelong friendships and an even stronger community. 

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Therapicasso connects with the students of Park Elementary School in order to build a connection and a community. Through the workshop, students create a comfort object, make new friends, and can leave the workshop knowing that there is always someone who will be there to listen and understand them. Through this, Therapicasso empowers students and lets them feel, to not ignore their emotions, but embrace the good and the bad. The Comfort Capsules are just the beginning. As Therapicasso continues to expand their ideas, they will also spread the importance of building a deeper connection with both ourselves and those around us.