Mental Health Photojournalism
Here2help.Schenectady seeks to explore mental health adversities in greater depth, examining the many reasons why mental health resources are unevenly distributed and often underutilized within marginalized communities.
This photojournalism project serves as the capstone for my Seward Fellowship Organizing Theme Minor at Union College, a unique opportunity to develop my own interdisciplinary minor though the Scholars Program. My minor was titled "Global Mental Health Parity: Expanding Accessibility for Marginalized Identities." The objective was to create a visual story wall which narrated how mental health can be experienced across different identities.
"Even though I've surpassed my suicidal ideations, my thoughts and feelings of not really existing, I still don't value of fighting to preserve my life here nor do I fully understand the deep value that others see in having me in their lives that would make me want to stay if given the chance to leave."
- Anonymous
"The constant pressure of being seen as a leader and someone that is striving when in reality everyday its a battle to keep up with those expectations"
- Anonymous
Acknowledging the diversity within mental health journeys means seeing the shared emotional and psychological struggles we face as humans, but also holding space for the reality that differences and inequalities exist within access to care.