read on - sanarnetwork.com - JULY 10, 2026

When Art Becomes a Path to Healing

What if one painting session could become a coping skill someone uses long after the event is over? At Sanar Network, we believe mental health education should be practical, culturally responsive, and accessible—meeting people where they are.

This week, Sanar Network partnered with Sede Counseling to host a free bilingual workshop on coping skills at the McMinnville Public Library. Together, we created a welcoming space where community members learned healthy ways to manage stress and had the opportunity to practice one of those skills through painting.

Art can be a powerful coping strategy. By giving participants the chance to paint during the workshop, our hope is that they leave not only with a piece of artwork, but also with a simple, meaningful tool they can use at home to support their emotional well-being.

This bilingual event brought together English- and Spanish-speaking community members, reinforcing our commitment to expanding culturally responsive mental health education in Oregon's rural communities. We know that access to behavioral health resources looks different in rural areas, and we're committed to making those resources more available through partnerships, education, and community engagement.

At Sanar Network, we believe that healing happens in community. Whether it's through conversation, creativity, or connection, we'll continue meeting people where they are and creating opportunities for learning, hope, and resilience.

A Special Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to our supervisor, Dominique Sotelo, whose guidance, encouragement, and leadership have been instrumental in helping us bring these community events to life.

How You Can Help

Would your organization like to host a bilingual mental health workshop, wellness activity, or community presentation?

Reply to this email—we'd love to partner with you and bring culturally responsive mental health education to your community.

P.S. We're committed to reaching more rural communities across Oregon. If you know of a group, organization, or community that could benefit from a bilingual mental health workshop, reply to this email and let's connect.

Warmly,

Richi & Mariah Sede
Co-Founders, Sanar Network

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