Barrington teenager helps the healing process

Barrington resident Olivia Deaton, who established the nonprofit The Olivia Deaton Foundation in Memory of Devin Costello, recently presented a gift of $5,000 to Bradley Hospital's Healing Arts program. 

Olivia created the nonprofit after her close friend, Devin, lost her long battle with depression. Devin took her own life in Dec. 2015. 

Olivia said she had no idea her friend was struggling with depression. She said Devin was always upbeat around her and others, always trying to make other people feel good. 

After Devin's death, Olivia vowed to shed light on the issues of teenage depression and suicide, and created the foundation. She held a fund-raising dinner and was completely overwhelmed by the generous support her foundation received.

"I was not expecting that many people to come; we had about 200 people show up that night and I was only expecting maybe 75, at the most," she said. "I could never express in words the amount of gratitude that I feel towards everyone who came out that night to show their support, not only for me, but for Devin and the cause. 

"I want to thank everyone for supporting suicide prevention and donating to the cause, because, honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to donate to Bradley in the first place if it weren’t for all the people who showed up. I’m just so thankful—they deserve to know that they’ve made a huge difference in someone’s life."

Bradley Hospital’s Healing Arts program provides creative and therapeutic activities that enhance the emotional, cognitive and physical well-being of patients. Through the program, children are exposed to a variety of arts during their treatment, where they can express themselves, whether verbally or non-verbally, and learn new skills and coping strategies. 

"When I first created the foundation, I knew that I wanted the majority of the proceeds and donations that we raised to go towards funding art therapy in treatment facilities like Bradley Hospital," said Olivia, a student at Barrington High School. 

"The reason for this is because right before Devin left, she told me that she wanted to be an art therapist when she grew up. And at the time, I didn’t know much about it or informed about the benefits of the therapy. She explained it to me and it was something she was really passionate about, because Devin was an amazing artist and loved anything that involved art. She loved drawing and painting; she was just a very artistic person. It was something that she was so passionate about. 

"By donating to the art therapy program, like the one at Bradley, she’s still able to fulfill her dream and that, to me, is my biggest motivation."

Maegan Gubata, director of Bradley Hospital’s Healing Arts program, said art and music have long been used to help people handle stress and anxiety. 

“Art is an important tool patients can use in their personal lives and at home to communicate their feelings with others and reduce anxiety," she said. 

“There remains a stigma around mental illness; it’s something people are so hesitant to talk about. That Olivia’s gift not only casts light on this important subject, but was made in memory of her friend demonstrates the power of what is possible when mental illness touches your life, or the life of a loved one,” added Ms. Gubata.

Anne Morton Smith, chief development officer at Bradley Hospital, said the Healing Arts program is funding mostly through private donations… "so gifts like the one Olivia made through her foundation are crucial to our ability to deliver a program that we know makes a difference in the lives of the youth we treat."

Olivia said she hopes the donation will help children at Bradley Hospital.

"The kids at Bradley suffer from a lot of social anxieties, depression, and an array of mental health illnesses and disorders. A lot of these kids may not always feel as if they can easily express themselves in everyday social settings. But through art therapy, they’re able to creatively express their feelings and express their emotions in an artistic way without feeling pressured or judged," said Olivia. 

"This is so beneficial, because without art therapy, these young patients would not be able to get their emotions out or ease the anxiety they’re feeling. I hope that this program will continue, and I hope that with my donation, more kids will be able to be a part of the program and get this type of treatment. I really do believe that it is one of the most beneficial things for the youth at Bradley.”

As for the foundation, Olivia is hoping to help it expand its reach and impact.

"Whether through continuing to fund art therapy programs at treatment facilities or getting better mental health programs in schools, I hope that the Foundation is able to expand, not only statewide, but nationally as well," she said. "Another goal of mine in the short- and long-term, is to break the taboo stigma that society has placed on mental illness, but especially suicide and depression."