Raising the awareness of mental illness through photography

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About Raising the awareness of mental illness through photography

(Please don't join unless you are going to take part, thanks) *7TH MAY DEADLINE*
I'm a photography student at university in London UK, and I am looking to do a campaign about raising awareness of mental illness.

The idea of the project is to take pictures of people with mental health problems and mix them up with pictures of non-sufferers too in a book. All the pictures will be against a BRICK WALL (v. important), so there is a theme running through the book. (examples of pictures are in the photo section) Only at the end of the book would the viewer come across a statement saying 'Some of these portraits are of people who suffer from mental illness'. The point is they would not have been able to judge because they didn't know, and even when they do know they can't tell who because it would be impossible to differentiate. I want to prove that the stigmas are unnecessary and the person is more important than their illness, the illness is just a small part of that person.
1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental illness at least once in their lifetime, if you take that statistic then it is very likely you know someone with a mental health issue. It effects EVERYONE.
One of the worst parts of mental illness is other than having to deal with your personal issues, you also have this giant stigma which is attached to it as well, this stigma can often deter people from getting help when they need it.
HAVING A MENTAL ILLNESS DOES NOT MAKE YOU WEAKER OR LESS VALID THEN ANYONE ELSE.
So fight the stigma and join in with the making of this book!
I want to call the book 'It's all in your head' because people say its all in our head ( I suffer from OCD) but then the stigmatism's are all in their heads!

To get involved and really make a difference read below.


*IF YOU WANT TO TAKE PART PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE THE 7TH OF MAY*

GETTING INVOLVED: THE BRICK WALL CHALLENGE
If you would like to be involved please take a picture of yourself against a brick wall, just your face and shoulders... (landscape photo)
The pictures need to be good quality reasonably large to be printed into the book. Be as creative and outlandish as you want, this is your artwork make it interesting! It will take about 5 minutes of your time but really could make all the difference whether you suffer from mental illness or not.
Send your pictures to: d_owen9@yahoo.co.uk

ALSO:
with your pictures please answer these few questions: (YOUR WORDS WILL NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR PICTURE, OR YOUR NAME, THEY ARE JUST ANONYMOUS QUOTES)

1. What is your view on mental illness?
2. Do you / have you ever suffered from a mental illness?
3. If so, have you ever faced any discrimination because of your illness?
4. Why do you think there is a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness?
5. Would you like to be open to people about your illness?

Any other stories or issues you feel should be included don't hesitate to add them!

Send all to d_owen9@yahoo.co.uk

and again, your answers will not be next to your pictures... the whole point of the book is so that you can't tell who suffers from mental illness and who doesn't!

Thank you!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY SENT IN THEIR PICTURE. KEEP THEM COMING!
BE AS CREATIVE AS YOU WANT THE ONLY RESTRICTION IS THE BRICK WALL!


ADD OTHER PEOPLE WHO YOU FEEL WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE PART!