Several know her as Middletown’s Central Connection senior center’s art teacher. Hellmann resides in Cincinnati, where she began her ministry that is inspired by her experiences with mental illness and addiction.
Hellmann is a recovering alcoholic, now sober for nine years, and was diagnosed as bipolar 20 years ago.
“I began a ministry called ‘Art for All People.’ It is inspired by my own experiences with mental illness and addiction,” she said. “All my life, I turned to the arts to heal myself. I bring the expressive arts to people affected by incarceration, mental illness, addiction, sex trafficking, homelessness, and veterans suffering from PTSD. My ministry is my attempt to turn my scars into stars.”
She serves homeless veterans in drug and alcohol recovery and also helps women at “Off the Streets,” a program dedicated to serving the needs of women affected by sex trafficking and exploitation. Hellmann works with addicts at ‘The Center for Addiction Treatment.’ She also works with psychiatric patients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Aside from her Ph.D. in Educational Studies, she has a Master’s degree in International Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education.
After receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 2012, she began the ministry of AFAP. Sarah believes that when dealing with pain, addiction, and loss there are often no words to explain the extent of suffering. This is when the language of the arts becomes essential.
She is also working on a book about her experiences to help others.
“Before writing this manuscript, I sat for a long while in silence in my studio, she said. “I looked at the world from where I stood. I prayed. I envisioned a favorable, peaceful, and joyful world. At times, this world feels far away. Other times it feels so very close. It is a matter of perspective.”
In January, she began her book and it is almost finished. It includes spiritual, humorous, and childhood stories written through the perspective she holds today.
“This book is intended for anyone who believes that there are more things in life that unite us rather than divide us,” said Hellmann. “If you believe in the goodness of people you will find stories that illustrate this. If you are weary, you will find ways to identify your blessings, and become a happier version of yourself.
“When I was in my early 20s, I was admitted to the psychiatric hospital. It was a dark, lonely, and terrifying time for me. During one of my parents’ visits, my dad, wearing his blue work uniform, and with his giant mechanic hands, wrote on a small piece of paper, ‘TURN YOUR SCARS INTO STARS.’
“He taped it on to the wall next to my bed. I didn’t understand what that meant at the time. However, years later it is very clear to me what my father was trying to communicate. That little note taped by my bedside was my first real lesson on perspective.”
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