The Art of Mental Health
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Definition
The condition of a person’s psychological or emotional well being
What are some things that are considered Mental health issues?
Body dysmorphic disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, Anxiety, Anger, Paranoia
All these are only some of the conditions of which people are treated with therapy or medications for a prolonged time.
Mental Health important events
Mental health Timeline:
In 1908 clifford beer’s made a report about how poorly patients with mental health conditions were being treated in establishments that were built for mental illnesses which was stopping their process inot getting better.
A year after Clifford Beer founded Connecticut society for mental hygiene which later turned into “Mental Health America”.This program allowed many patients to get help as early as possible. The program went through many more advancements.
Then in 1949 the program started with mental health week and over time became a mental health month which many today do walks and have started donation programs to help mental health patients.
In 1966 Mental health america made a big accomplishment of mandate inclusion of mental health services in medicare.
In 2019 Mental health America released LGBTQ+ mental health: It started as something where mainly young members of the LGBTQ community could go and feel included since many share specific challenges that they go through and share ideas,thought,and recommendations on how to deal with the situations.
Mind Vomit
Rationale: Saira-Jayne Jones’ art is personable to other individuals who deal with mental health issues, such as anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.
By Saira-Jayne Jones
Artist Statement
“The piece entitled “Mind Vomit” represents how the painter’s mind looks and feels like in day to day life. All the sub-thoughts are all mixed together and are never ending. The painter explains this as their inner turmoil in which the mind never stops and is in constant motion. Many individuals can relate to this feeling as it is often hard to organize ones and sort through thoughts, especially when dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. It affects day-to-day life making it even more difficult to navigate.”
Source: https://trauma.blog.yorku.ca/2020/12/mind-vomit/
About The Artist
Saira-Jayne Jones
Saira-Jayne Jones - Early Life
Saira-Jayne Jones is a self-taught artist who grew up in the foster care system. She often struggled with poverty during her childhood growing up in a residential area known as Chelmsley Wood. She herself faced trauma, but yet despite her struggles, she still managed to express herself through painting, sculpting, photography, and mixed media.
Saira-Jayne Jones - Education
In 2011, Saira-Jayne Jones graduated from The University of Birmingham at the age of 26 with an honors degree in social work. By working both as an artist as well as a social worker, Saira-Jayne fights against mental illness on two fronts. This war has a deep residence within Saira-Jayne, considering that she struggled with mental health as well. She has taken positions in youth services, children’s residential care, disability services, and independent fostering provision.
DANCE
Mental Health PIECE by Argelis Capellan
Capellan herself has struggled with mental health specifically anxiety and choreographed this dance piece to express what she and others go through.
Dance was an effective medium for her to describe and illustrate her mental state.
“Sometimes dealing with mental health can be even more painful when you simply can't express yourself with the correct words. “
Mental Health PIECE by Argelis Capellan
Analysis: Throughout the dance, the dancers attempt to illustrate the effect of mental health on a person by pulling down a female dancer and circling around her, screaming into a pillow, and kicking aggressively but in the end they dance joyfully to show that you can come out victorious despite struggling with mental illness.
Dance Improving Mental Health
Dance & Mental Health
Kevin Turner - Journey with Dance and Mental Health
Turner talks about his experiences with choreography and movement as a vessel through which he could express his feelings. His struggle with mental health inspired him to create a piece called Witness. He was prompted by the question of how he could help somebody in his position through dance.
The Dance Industry’s Impact on Mental Health
The dance industry has neglected dancer’s mental health in multiple aspects especially concerning body image. Dance, which is meant to be a expression through bodily movements, has lost its purpose becoming more focused on how a performance can capitalize on particular dancers to make a profit or gain popularity. This causes dancers to appeal more to societal views of themselves rather than what they desire to portray through dance.
MUSIC
Music & Mental Health
Logic ‘s 1-800-273-8255 is a reflection of the suicide epidemic within America - with the song title being a clear reference to the suicide hotline number.
The song shows a progression of a character initially struggling with depression and wanting to die, but with the third chorus, it shifts towards this character now saying “I finally want to be alive. I don’t want to die today.”
Music & Mental Health
Paramore’s Rose-Colored Boy is a song meant to overcome the stigma of anxiety and depression. The song is about the social pressure of appearing to be happy and have an optimistic view even during times where you might be struggling with a mental illness, and are ashamed to show it.
Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams said she hoped her music makes someone feel less alone. By reflecting her personal mental health journey in her music, Williams hopes to bring visibility and positive connection to listeners and combat the stigma that she experienced.
Music & Mental Health
Bach - Prelude & Fugue No.2 in C minor
The intensity and speed in which Bach plays is reflective of the chaotic nature of our chosen art piece.
Bach has been theorized to have had his own fair share of mental health problems. However, it has also been scientifically demonstrated that classical music might actually benefit one’s own mental health.
Music & Mental Health
“One study published in PLOS ONE in 2016 found that opera can produce a thoughtful, empathetic response in people, while an earlier study from 2001 found that people who listened to classical music were more willing to share personal information about themselves in writing. Catherine Jackson, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified neurotherapist based in Chicago, has noticed a similar effect during neurotherapy sessions when she plays light or classical music while patients engage in deep breathing. ”
Music & Mental Health
THEATER
Various musicals throughout history have attempted to deal with issues of mental illness.
“Catch Me I’m Falling” from Next To Normal (2009)
Diana Goodman has bipolar depressive disorder and delusions.
The main character is clearly conflicted between following the advice of her therapist or responding to the cries of her dead son shouting for help as he’s falling and losing control over his mother's mind.
This clip demonstrates the struggle of wanting to get better but also feeling held back by your mental illness.
Similar to our painting, “Mind Vomit”, the main character is confused by the conflicting thoughts ravaging her mind. She doesn’t know what to do.
Mental Health and Theater
“ Theoretically, theater has the potential to help both the actors and audience by providing information about mental illness, challenging stereotypes, reducing stigma, decreasing the sense of isolation, providing role models and instilling hope”
Source: https://med.umn.edu/news-events/spotlight-mental-health-and-theatre
Suggestions
If anyone you know might be facing some type of mental illness here are some suggestions :
In case of a suicidal crisis you can call:National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Always seek for professional health
Macaulay/ Brooklyn College offer many health services and resources that can lead you to positive solutions.
THANK
YOU