Coloring books offer creative outlet for those dealing with mental health

 A new therapeutic tool is being distributed to those dealing with mental health struggles across Bucks County in the form of specially designed coloring books.

The Bucks Suicide Prevention Task Force has partnered with Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Township to provide the coloring books to behavioral health units to offer patients a creative way to express their emotions.

The coloring book, which launched in early 2025, originated from the Bucks Suicide Prevention Task Force’s Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention subcommittee.

Young adults with lived experience in the mental health system played a key role in designing the books.

“It really came out of a young person who is an artist,” explained Marissa MacKeverican, who works with the task force and is employed by Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania. “The group thought this would be a great idea to reach young people in a different way that we just never have before and really get our mission across, which is to prevent suicide, provide resources, and awareness.”

The artwork featured in the coloring books was created by local residents who have personal experience navigating the mental health system, which members of the task force said makes the resource uniquely peer-oriented.

“A lot of the contributions to this have been young adults that were struggling with mental health issues in treatment,” said Anthony Pacifico, Bucks County’s coordinator of rehabilitation services and facilitator for the task force’s youth subcommittee. “They can speak directly to what it feels like and what would be required to really help support an individual that’s struggling.”

Lower Bucks Hospital has integrated the coloring books into comprehensive suicide prevention packets given to patients arriving through the emergency room before being admitted to behavioral health units.

“Coloring is a great coping skill and can be used in so many ways of just helping out, calming someone down,” said LeeAnn Morsa, the behavioral health program director and workplace violence co-chair at Lower Bucks Hospital. “With the suicide prevention packet that we started, we’re opening it up for any patient that comes in through our ER and then goes onto our units.”

    (Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com)
  

The packets also include coping skills information, safety plans, and journals alongside the coloring books.

Printed by Vizi Print and Graphics in Warminster Township, the coloring books come in two versions. One has staples for general use, while the other is a staple-free pull-out poster format to meet safety protocols for inpatient settings, according to Michelle Aliprantis, a spokesperson for Lower Bucks Hospital.

The coloring books have also been distributed to four other facilities where Bucks County residents might seek mental health treatment: Friends Hospital, Belmont Behavioral in Philadelphia, Horsham Clinic, and Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital. This spring and summer, distribution will also take place through schools, community centers, libraries, youth-oriented events, and mental health professionals.

While some may view coloring as a childish activity, health care professionals recognize its therapeutic benefits for all age groups.

According to research from the National Library of Medicine, coloring therapy can significantly reduce anxiety and depression in patients.

Combining coloring with traditional treatments can be more effective in improving mood than conventional treatments alone, according to experts.

“Coloring is a great coping skill and it’s for all ages,” Morsa emphasized. “Some of our greatest artists upstairs in our senior unit are the senior adults and they love to color.”

The activity offers immediate therapeutic engagement for patients in crisis.

“When you come in through the ER, why not get something immediately to start working and get therapy while you’re waiting to be placed somewhere, whether it’s a young adult, older adult or senior,” Morsa said.

The designs in the coloring books feature animals and positive affirmations as they aim to create a calming and uplifting experience.

“Our group decided to also put in hopeful messages in there just to also inspire and really reach whoever’s coloring the book,” MacKeverican said. “I don’t even want to specifically say youth, but whoever is coloring the book, that it’s inspiring and hopeful.”

Pacifico highlighted the mindfulness aspect of coloring.

“It does sound very kid oriented, but I think when you actually do color, it really fosters a sense of mindfulness, like being present, centered. It’s just a very contemplative activity that really helps to kind of de-escalate, decompress and it’s just in alignment with overall wellness,” Pacifico said.

The task force plans to make the coloring books more widely available through their website for individual and bulk orders and is also seeking feedback for future editions.

“We’re aspiring to make it available in an automated way through the task force website,” Pacifico explained. “We’re really looking to kind of collect feedback on just anyone’s impressions of the coloring book to inspire future editions.”

Those interested in obtaining the coloring books can contact task force representatives directly while the online ordering system is being established.

“Stay tuned,” Pacifico said. “I’m sure there’s going to be more on the horizon.”

For immediate mental health support or information, the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline are available for urgent assistance.