NYAME NTI'S MISSION
Nyame Nti Cultural Healing Arts Therapy’s mission is to provide mental health treatment programs using traditional African and contemporary art forms in a safe, supportive, therapeutic environment that promotes self development and fosters emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Nyame Nti Cultural Healing Arts Therapy (N-CHAT) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that integrates mental health and the arts for the purpose of healing individuals, families, and communities. N-CHAT provides a therapeutic framework and a strong foundation necessary for deep emotional expression and healing. N-CHAT teaches African dance, drum, and other cultural art forms to youth and adults. By learning and performing traditional West African art forms, N-CHAT pays homage, respect, and gratitude to the values and contributions of our ancestors, on whose shoulders we stand.
N-CHAT uses a holistic approach that is grounded in the belief that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected; thus, we use a broad range of treatment modalities to facilitate healing and wholeness. N-CHAT also uses the power of group work to engender cooperation and to promote a sense of unity, community, group cohesion, and FUN, while respecting the unique journey and dignity of the individual. Although N-CHAT was designed to support those who are receiving mental health treatment, we recognize the importance of primary prevention and offer programs to those who have not entered into the mental health or juvenile justice system. This balance of clinical and nonclinical populations in the same group activities produces a powerful healing effect.
N-CHAT uses a holistic approach that is grounded in the belief that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected; thus, we use a broad range of treatment modalities to facilitate healing and wholeness. N-CHAT also uses the power of group work to engender cooperation and to promote a sense of unity, community, group cohesion, and FUN, while respecting the unique journey and dignity of the individual. Although N-CHAT was designed to support those who are receiving mental health treatment, we recognize the importance of primary prevention and offer programs to those who have not entered into the mental health or juvenile justice system. This balance of clinical and nonclinical populations in the same group activities produces a powerful healing effect.
Our Symbol Explained:
Nyame Nti
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast make a beautiful cotton cloth called Adinkra. On this cloth, they ink many symbols, one of which is the stalk-and-leaf pattern shown here. It is the symbol of God’s grace, and it comes from the Akan prayer, Nyame Nti, menwe wura, which means “Since God exists, I will not feed on leaves.” Nyame Nti symbolizes God’s great abundance, a reflection of God's love for us.
