North Penn High School students and muralist Brittany Grala pose for a photo on April 10, 2025 inside NAMI Montgomery County PA offices in Lansdale as students finish up painting a mural. (Credit: Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
The National Alliance on Mental Health’s Montgomery County chapter office was abuzz with activity as North Penn High School students finished up painting a mural they hope will serve a purpose for years to come.
The NAMI Montgomery County, PA office wall inside the 100 W. Main St. building was transformed into a colorful scene complete with a rainbow, clouds, florals, an abstract brain with the reminder to “protect your mind.” The bright colors and creative themes drove home the important message of mental health.
“No one should be scared to talk to someone if they’re feeling upset,” said Kabir Patel, a North Penn High School senior from Souderton who serves as club president.
The group of nearly 20 students gathered Thursday for the final touches. North Penn High School started the “first on-campus NAMI club in Pennsylvania,” according to Mira Anugonda, a junior from Lansdale who serves as the club’s vice president. Reflecting on the experience over the past week, she said it’s been a positive one.
“Everyone’s nice, everyone’s collaborating and working on it together and everyone’s having a good time. It’s been fun,” Anugonda said.
North Penn High School sophomore Drew Juckniewitz agreed, emphasizing the importance of the mural’s themes, noting the ever present clouds and raindrops.
“April showers bring May flowers,” Juckniewitz said. “So rain — it’s sad, but it’s OK. Because with the sadness, brings happiness, brings beautiful things, like emotions. It’s OK to have those emotions. It makes you human.”
Muralist Guided Project
The students had some help in this endeavor. The club was connected with muralist Brittany Grala, of King of Prussia, who secured a more than $2,000 Family Services of Montgomery County grant to complete the project.
“My mission is really to use art in a way that can spread hope, and love, and just make people smile or see the good in the world,” Grala said in a March interview.
Grala recalled applying for the grant back in October 2024 and hearing back about it this winter.
Grala said that she planned to use a variety of materials, including acrylic, house paint latex and water-based paints in bright colors to bring the students’ vision to life.
While Grala compiled several student drawings to create a cohesive image, she emphasized it was very much a “student-led” initiative.
“I really want them to feel like they’re not just contributing by painting, but actually designing, and being a whole part of the process too,” she said. “It’s really important for me to make them feel some ownership.”
“I feel like it’s going to help them see beyond their school right now because that’s all really that they’re involved in, but being a part of the broader community in Lansdale, and … can touch people not just in [their] school, but also the community and the world,” Grala said. “… Just empowering them a little bit to step outside of what they know or their comfort zone.”
North Penn High School counselor Karen Cantor highlighted the partnership between the school and nonprofit organization which offers mental health services for those in need.
“We’re just very thankful because we know how important NAMI is in spreading the word and for us to actually have a chapter at the high school or a club is great,” Cantor said.
Cantor noted that self esteem issues are most often prevalent among high school students. She added that destigmatizing mental health and further shedding light on available resources is crucial for club members and others.
“I think it’s really important that more people find out about NAMI,” said Eliette Hyde, a North Penn High School junior from Colmar who serves as club secretary.
NAMI Montgomery County PA Education Coordinator Bernadette Selgrath too expressed gratitude for the partnership and marveled at the students’ drive — one paint stroke at a time.
“We want to be a resource for everyone in the community,” Selgrath said, adding that “it’s everything to us to have a mural that represents that these kids are actually caring about themselves … [and it] gives us hope we can end the stigma.”
Anyone in need of assistance can contact the local mobile crisis hotline at 855-634-4673 or the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Call (215) 361-7784 or visit namimontcopa.org for more information.
