How might we encourage others to open a conversation on mental health through the sweetness of baked goods?
During the winter of 2019, the Project Good Team now known as the “Sad Muffins” was interested in diving into the topic of mental health but unsure of the direction in which they wanted to go, when Jodi from Interfaith Sanctuary and her sister, Val, from Depressed Cake Shop came to them with a project. They were planning a Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up event in Boise, where they planned to raise awareness and money for Interfaith’s Project Well Being by selling donated baked goods from local bakers and baking enthusiasts. Project Well Being is a program at Interfaith Sanctuary that is designed to first bring stability, then well-being, for their guests who need a safe place to be during the day.
The team was surprised to see the statistics of mental health in Idaho. According to a 2016 study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 16% of Idaho adolescents between the ages of 12-17 reported that they had at least 1 major depressive episode during the 12 months prior to the survey, which is higher than the national average at 13%.
The team ideated with Jodi and Val and determined that a concerted effort to include teens in the Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up was important to the success of the overall event. After several ideation sessions, the group decided to plan a youth conversation on mental health with other teens during the event called “Donuts and Depression.” The team worked with Jennelle Johnson, LMSW, to plan the conversation in order to provide a safe, open, and informed space. Prior to the Pop-Up, the team also hosted a casual baking day at One Stone where teens were invited to decorate baked goods and chat about mental health.
On March 7th, Jennelle and the Sad Muffins team led the Donuts and Depression youth conversation for 25 teenagers during the Depressed Cake Shop Pop-Up at Trailhead. In addition to this conversation, the event included a cake-cutting by Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, a free yoga class, a cakewalk, and hundreds of donated baked goods for sale.
Outcomes:
25 adolescents between the ages of 14-18 participated in the youth conversation on mental health
“The Sad Muffins Project Good team taught me a lot of things but most importantly, vulnerability. I spoke about mental health on Radio Boise, in front of a guided teen group, and on social media. Our team took the first step in opening up and talking about mental health within our teen community, and made a lasting impact.” - Bria Eaton, Project Good student
