Veteran Educator and Art Therapist Urges Greater Use of Creative Expression in Emotional Support for Students
LAPORTE, IN / ACCESS Newswire / July 25, 2025 / Marybeth Lebo, a nationally respected art educator and therapist with over four decades of experience, has been featured in a new in-depth article, "Marybeth Lebo: 40 Years of Healing Through Art and Education." The piece highlights her pioneering work at LaPorte High School and her continued advocacy for blending art education with emotional and mental health support for youth.
Following the release, Lebo is using the platform to raise awareness about the urgent need for accessible art therapy and creative outlets in school systems across the U.S.-especially as students continue to face rising levels of anxiety, depression, and stress.
"People need places where they can be real," says Lebo. "Art gives them that."
A Call for Safe, Creative Spaces in Schools
Lebo's story comes at a crucial time. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 3 high school students reported poor mental health in 2023, and over 40% felt persistently sad or hopeless-a dramatic increase from past years. Meanwhile, over 70% of U.S. public schools reported a rise in mental health challenges among students since the pandemic.
Lebo believes that art education, when led with intention and care, is one of the most underutilized tools in addressing these problems.
"It's not just about learning to paint or draw," she explains. "It's about making space for students to explore, reflect, and process their emotions."
Her work at LaPorte Community School Corporation combines classroom instruction with therapeutic practices, helping students not only develop artistic skills, but build resilience, confidence, and emotional vocabulary.
Why Art Therapy Works-And Why It's Needed Now
Art therapy has long been recognized as an effective form of mental health support. Studies show that art-making can reduce cortisol levels, lower anxiety, and improve mood in both children and adults. Yet, many school districts lack the funding or awareness to integrate creative mental health programs into their daily offerings.
Through her example, Lebo is showing that it doesn't have to be complicated-or expensive.
"You don't need high-end supplies," she says. "You need trust, time, and tools for expression. Even a blank sheet of paper and a pencil can start a breakthrough."
Leadership Through Empathy and Action
As both a department head and trained therapist, Lebo has built a thriving art program at LaPorte High School that is financially sustainable, emotionally inclusive, and academically rigorous.
Her methods prioritize emotional safety, individualized instruction, and the belief that every student has a story worth telling.
"I think leadership is about paying attention," she says. "Noticing what others miss and doing something about it."
Lebo is calling on parents, teachers, and school administrators to think differently about the role of art in schools-not as an extracurricular, but as a core part of student support.
Support Mental Health Through Creativity
While systemic change takes time, Lebo emphasizes that individuals can make a difference now:
Parents can encourage creative play at home and advocate for arts funding in school boards.
Teachers can incorporate reflective art exercises into their classroom routines-even in non-art subjects.
Communities can support local youth art programs, donate supplies, or create public art spaces.
"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 an art instructor, therapist, and department leader at LaPorte Community School Corporation in Indiana. With over 40 years of experience in post-secondary education and therapeutic practice, she has built a legacy of combining artistic development with emotional wellness. She holds degrees from Northern Illinois University, Indiana University, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and is known for her calm, empathetic teaching style and commitment to student growth.
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SOURCE: Marybeth Lebo
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
