In the tornado of deadlines, exams and the silent pressure to perform well, our mental well-being is often pushed into a closet. That’s why, the Community Service Avenue came through the storm beaming with light to launch “Colours,” an initiative that is designed to pull students away from the chaos and reconnect them with a piece of their childhood: the healing power of art.

On the 14th of November 2025, Room F1402 of the SLIIT New Building was transformed into a canvas. It became a space where forty four participants picked up their brushes and crayons to use creativity as a form of therapy.

This initiative brought the slogan “Where Art Meets Health,” to life. It aimed to address both the mind and the spirit through two sessions.

The first session was led by Ms. Sachini Pathiraja, a Clinical Psychologist at SLIIT. She started by focusing on de-mystifying mental health. In our culture, seeking help can sometimes be viewed with hesitation so Ms. Pathiraja openly rebranded it as something proactive and positive. She also coached the participants on how to identify the why behind their feelings and how they can manage stress. It was a session where everyone felt seen, understood and empowered.

Following that enlightening conversation, Dr. Avanthi Jayasinghe, an experienced art therapist dived into a hands-on experience where participants were encouraged to let their emotions bleed onto the paper using acrylics, pastels, and textures. This session made one thing clear: sometimes art does speak louder than words.

Looking at the artworks around the room would have taken you on a journey of academic pressure, exhaustion, hopes, dreams….whatever the participants wanted to say was left on that piece of paper. Whether it was the vision of their dream life or a simple tribute to a favourite memory, every stroke was a moment of expression. You learned more about people with just a look into their artwork.

It also made us discover some paintings that depicted why those individuals desperately needed this session. For example, the fellow who painted his sky in purple and grass in black. Two takeaways: his wisdom about how imagination is not bound by reality and the fact that he needs serious help. Then there was this engineering student whose mind is so wired into engineering, all he could express were cosine curves. I wont name names…

(Diabolical but art is art so bravo!)

“Colours” wasn’t just a local event, it was a contribution to a global movement that showed what happens when we prioritise empathy.

It showed that university culture doesn’t have to be defined by stress when the community comes together to collectively recognise the importance of mindfulness and the courage to express oneself.

To all the participants and the dedicated organizing team: thank you for proving that sometimes, the best way to heal the mind is to pick up a brush.

Penned By:

Rtr. Rana Rilwan

Editor 25-26