High School students collaborate with local artist to promote mental health in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Students are collaborating with a local artist on a project to encourage mental health awareness in Santa Barbara.

The project is organized by the nonprofit Royal Pride Foundation which focuses on supporting high schoolers.

Students spent months painting the mural which spans 185 feet by 16 feet.

Artist Michael Matheson of Santa Barbara lead the project.

He hopes the mural will promote conversation among students and allow them to engage with art, education, and each other.

Students from the class of 2024 will share how Covid-19 led to ongoing mental health challenges and what this mural project meant to them.