“Mental Health through Expressive Imagery” is a collaborative project between AbleVoices and NAMI Davidson County (National Alliance on Mental Illness). People impacted by mental illness often live in the shadows of stigma. This project features photographic images creatively altered by individuals experiencing mental health conditions. This process provides a unique outlet to express the emotions, experiences, and thoughts of their journey visually. And the resulting images invite the public in to empathize and learn about mental health. This project is funded by a grant from the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Images are on exhibit at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center lobby gallery April-June 2023. Please contact info@ablevoices.org for interest in showing this collection at other venues.

View all images with captions below.

Additional Information:

Participants of the this project were ages 18 and older, living with mental health conditions (including clinical depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, etc.) and at different points in their recovery. Participants met in small groups, engaged in 6 facilitated sessions and reacted to a different prompt each session which was related to their mental health journey. With the prompt in mind, they selected a photograph from the extensive photo library and used an intuitive iPad app to alter the image to reflect their thoughts and emotions. Editing options include a variety of tools (see list below). Once participants were finished, their images were displayed on a monitor so the entire group could view and discuss them. This created opportunities to learn from and connect with each other. Images created using the app help participants to express complex emotions in ways beyond what may be possible through words alone. The app was designed to empower creative self-expression, while requiring no artistic or technology skills.

Prompts (regarding mental health of participants):

1. Something you’d like others to know about you…

2. How I felt when I first sought help…

3. Something I’ve overcome…

4. A typical day feels like…

5. Something I am grateful for…

6. Something I’ve learned about myself…

Creative editing tool options:

• COMPOSE: crop, rotate, straighten

• TUNE: brightness, contrast, tint, vibrance, warmth

• STYLE: a variety of filters such as blur, black/white and antique

• FINISH: select frame style

People impacted by severe and persistent mental health conditions often live in the shadows of stigma and shame. Mental illnesses are brain disorders that are biologically-based medical problems, just like cancer or multiple sclerosis. Untreated, they can cause severe disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating. Mental health issues impact people regardless of age, gender, race, socio-economic levels, IQ, or religion and can affect persons across a lifespan. Behaviors experienced as symptoms of mental health conditions can lead to discrimination in employment, involvement with the criminal justice system and cultural marginalization. Through this exercise in visual expression, participants build social confidence, self-acceptance and are reminded to have kinder and more honest communication with themselves and others. The images highlight the need for access to care, early intervention, reduction of stigma, and consistent recovery supports to allow people to lead purposeful, self-directed lives. These images provide insight to what people are feeling and experiencing and help to foster a greater understanding of the serious impact that mental health conditions have on one-in-five Americans; over 52 million people per year.

If you or someone you know needs help for their mental health call the TN CRISIS LINE 1-855-274-7471.

Thank you to the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Center for Living and Learning, Arbor Wellness and Tennessee Voices for their support of this project.

Place cursor over or tap on images below to read participant captions.