The Safety Harbor City Commission on Sept. 15 approved a community mural at Marshall Street Park proposed by Speak Up, Let's Talk About Mental Health. The project is funded by a grant to the nonprofit and will not require city funds.

Shannon Shaffer, interim leisure services director, described the mural as a butterfly-wings selfie design intended to encourage youth engagement and visibility near play areas. Shaffer said the design will include information and a QR code connecting visitors to Speak Up's resources and the nationwide crisis hotline, 988.

Dawn Hamlin, president of Speak Up, Let's Talk About Mental Health, told the commission the organization founded the group in memory of her son and seeks to "remove that stigma of mental health conditions, to raise awareness about suicide, and to let the youth know... it's okay to not be okay." Hamlin said the group has partnered with Safety Harbor organizations and volunteers on prior installations and plans a community painting day led by the artist if the project is approved.

The nut graf: the mural is explicitly designed to be youth-friendly, to provide immediate crisis resources (via prominently displayed 988 information and QR code) and to involve community volunteers in its creation. The public art committee recommended Marshall Street Park because of visibility and proximity to play areas.

Next steps: staff will coordinate community outreach and logistics for the painting day, and Speak Up will provide final artwork and a QR-code sticker directing users to its website. The commission approved the design and location 5-0.