Indiana, US, 2nd September 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Marybeth Lebo, an art educator and therapist with over four decades of experience, is featured in a new in-depth interview exploring her unique approach to combining creativity and emotional support in schools. In the feature, she calls for greater awareness and action to address the growing mental health crisis among students through the integration of art and creative expression into everyday education.

“People need places where they can be real,” says Lebo. “Art gives them that. It’s not just about making something pretty—it’s about making something honest.”

The urgency of her message is backed by sobering statistics: according to the CDC, 1 in 3 high school students reported poor mental health in 2023, and over 40% felt persistently sad or hopeless. Lebo believes art therapy offers a low-cost, high-impact way to address these challenges, especially when schools are under strain.

Lebo’s work at LaPorte Community School Corporation has transformed her department into a safe haven where students learn both technique and resilience. She integrates reflective art exercises, mindfulness, and tactile activities to help students process their emotions while building skills.

What You Can Do Today:

• Parents: Encourage creative play and open conversations about emotions at home.

• Teachers: Integrate simple reflective art exercises—even in non-art subjects.

• Communities: Support local youth art programs and donate art supplies to schools.

“You don’t have to be a therapist to help a child feel seen,” Lebo says. “You just have to make space for them to express what’s already inside.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Marybeth Lebo

Marybeth Lebo is the Art Department Head and Art Therapist at LaPorte Community School Corporation in Indiana. She holds degrees from Northern Illinois University, Indiana University, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and has impacted thousands of students through her integrated approach to art education and emotional wellness.