Mental Health Awareness Manifesto

Looking back on my posts over the fall 2022 semester, I see one transparent medium to my writing. Mental health awareness is something peeking out of almost every post. Whether discussing the heartache in an art piece or seeing the awareness an art piece intended to bring, I sought to see the inner demons because art is not too different from people, as art is merely a reflection of its creator. Art can be much more than meets the eye, as it often speaks from the creator's soul. With humans and art, you may need to look deep below the surface to understand one's intention. The stigma around mental illness today has caused many to fight alone. But there is no hiding within art, and your innermost self can be observed.

In my "Representative Blog," it was clear that this young girl had been fighting. She had fallen just like the trees behind her, but she was growing again. She represents this growth with the texture of tree bark, flowers, and vines encasing her body. Starting over and growing again is a large part of maintaining positive mental health.

In my "Abstract Painting Blog," we acknowledge the perspective that this senseless art actually has profound meaning. Geometrical shapes and lines contrast from bright rainbows to harsh darkness. Seeing within art what it feels like when an individual is losing themselves, losing their bright and colorful attributes, falling deeper into nothingness. Struggling with mental illness often comes hand in hand with what feels like losing yourself.

In my "Public Art Blog," there's much more than meets the eye. The sculpture, to some, maybe an inappropriate connection between man and dog, but to the open-minded, the parallel between man and dog is relevant. The sculpture shows how people and animals crave to make their mark on the world. All people have a burning desire to be memorable even when they are gone. The stress of needing to be memorable is often hard to bare and results in burnout.

In my "Poetic License Blog," I analyzed a poem called "A Poem about Pain" by David Budbill. The poem shares the truth of pain, the nasty and selfish aspects that are often not disclosed. When you are in pain, whether it be physical or mental, you may disassociate from the world and those around you. He explains how you know it may be immoral to prioritize yourself, but your pain is so great it doesn't matter. A mental battle people who have mental illness often experience.

In my "Plotting Blog," we place ourselves in a grieving man's mind. We see the undesirable aspects of grief and what it can do to someone. The story makes you feel the obsessive tendencies this man feels. It also makes you live through the depressive episode the man experiences dealing with the loss of his wife. The story gives the reader a first-hand perspective of loss and the mental heartache that comes with it.

In my "Musical Theme Blog," I shared how suicide can be interpreted differently. Even though each of the examples were musical art pieces, they differ significantly. Songs of different genres and time frames, yet they each bring awareness to the act of suicide.

In my "Photography Blog," a series of photos shared the story of hope. Now, hope may not seem to align with mental health, but hope can be the one thing that gets you through depression, stress, or being lost. In each of the five photographs, light represents hope. The first image shows light breaking through the darkness, the second shows an individual reaching for the light, the third shows the light being held closely as a guide, the fourth shows an individual creating their own hope, and the fifth shows how hope becomes a part of you.

In my "Video Art Blog," mental health advocacy is very relevant. A short video called "Ascension" by Bill Viola displays the scary journey of depression. A man sinks into the ocean; the farther he descends, the fewer bubbles surround him. The bubbles that represent his loved ones fade away the deeper he gets. But there's a turn, where he raises his hands and ascends back to the surface. He had fought and won his battle with depression, even if it had seemed inevitable.

In my "Ekphrasis Blog," I wrote a poem in response to a painting portraying a young boy who committed suicide due to self-doubt and an overwhelming sense of failure. I showed how this young boy would never be present again for the good nor the bad. Suicide is permanent, and that's why my blog intends to raise awareness about mental health and the stigma surrounding it.

Rebuttals to Mental Health Awareness

• Anosognosia: Unaware of mental conditions; not seeking help.

• Antipsychiatry: Against seeking therapy.

• Bigotry: Prejudice of the mentally ill with no knowledge.

• Ignorance: Lack of information and awareness.

• Stigma: Disgrace surrounding a particular subject.

Stigma and bigotry are two of the most significant opposites to Mental Health Awareness. Stigma and bigotry create an unrealistic view regarding mental illness, which can prevent individuals from seeking help. It can make people feel that if they get a diagnosis and receive treatment, something is wrong or bad with them.

Platform for Action

That said, it is significant to spread awareness and teach others about mental health. Everyone struggles with maintaining their mental health at some point in their life. Unfortunately, some individuals struggle constantly as they suffer from a particular or many mental illnesses. As a result, we should educate the world and share how to seek help. We, as humanity, should stick together. We shouldn't judge people because they have a chemical imbalance; instead, we should accept people and support them. Mental health is a never-ending journey, so let's take this journey together. Check up on your friends and family. Compliment a stranger in the grocery store. Make someone's day because you never know what others are going through behind the scenes. You are never alone, even when you are lost.