Mental Health

‘Mental Health’ is a portrait series exploring the stories of 4 young people who have taken the first steps to controlling their illnesses by talking about their feelings. This portrait series aims to act as a platform to encourage those suffering in silence to reach out and share their own experiences, with the knowledge that they are not alone.

“The first time I attempted to take my own life in March 2010, was the first of what has now so far been six suicide attempts. I don’t remember a huge amount about any of my attempts but generally, they have been caused either by commanding voices t… — “The first time I attempted to take my own life in March 2010, was the first of what has now so far been six suicide attempts. I don’t remember a huge amount about any of my attempts but generally, they have been caused either by commanding voices that overpower me, or by a state of such despair that I felt I could not go on. After each attempt, it takes a long and slow process of recovery to get back on my feet again.”
**- Shanika, 30 | Cathedral**

“I developed anorexia in my early teens, and unlike others who develop the illness unknowingly, I knew exactly what I was doing. I felt that I was unattractive and unremarkable. If people wouldn’t notice me for anything positive it was better that t… — “I developed anorexia in my early teens, and unlike others who develop the illness unknowingly, I knew exactly what I was doing. I felt that I was unattractive and unremarkable. If people wouldn’t notice me for anything positive it was better that they at least noticed me for something, even if it was horrible and ugly.”
**- Izzie, 21 | Yoga Studio**

“As a result of my psychosis, I started to experience psychotic thoughts and hallucinations. The psychotic episode was traumatic; it consisted of instructions to harm myself and others. My experience of psychosis has lasted for four years.”- Emmanue… — “As a result of my psychosis, I started to experience psychotic thoughts and hallucinations. The psychotic episode was traumatic; it consisted of instructions to harm myself and others. My experience of psychosis has lasted for four years.”
**- Emmanuel | South Park, Oxford**

“For some unknown reason my mental health deteriorated until I found myself having multiple panic attacks in a day, being constantly on edge from anxiety, and deeply depressed. Even as I tried to pretend to go about my life as normal, there were som… — “For some unknown reason my mental health deteriorated until I found myself having multiple panic attacks in a day, being constantly on edge from anxiety, and deeply depressed. Even as I tried to pretend to go about my life as normal, there were some things I just couldn’t do.”
**- Zoe, 25 | Percy Bysshe Shelley Memorial**

The topic of mental health, and the dark cloud that it conjures upon our society, is becoming increasingly acknowledged with it’s ever-growing presence. We are struggling to escape the numbers and statistics that this issue imposes on us. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that at least 6 Australians die every day from suicide, plus another 30 attempts taking place each day. With suicide now being the leading cause of death for Australians aged 25-44, 3128 people taking their own life in 2017. This fact remains consistent for males aged 20-49 across England and Wales, where 1 in 15 people have attempted suicide according to a 2017 study.

As someone who has had a constant battle with my mental health and depression over the last few years, and an appreciation of its looming appearances in our society, I see it as a vital issue to express through photography. Sharing the stories of 4 young people who have taken the first steps to controlling their illnesses by talking about their feelings, this portrait series aims to act as a platform to encourage those suffering in silence to reach out and share their own experiences, with the knowledge that they are not alone.

The participants have each been photographed in a destination of their choosing, which pays significance to their wellbeing.

If you would like to take part in this project, please reach out to me - it is ongoing.

This is a collaborative project with the Oxford Mental Health Network and other London based mental health awareness groups and campaigners who are open and welcoming to anybody from anywhere who needs somebody to talk to.

Casting and consulting on this project was generously provided by the Oxford Mental Health Network (OMHN). If you would like to find out more about their work, click here.

About OMHN

“The Oxford Mental Health Network (OMHN) is a not-for-profit organisation founded in October 2016 by two undergraduate students at the University of Oxford. After Kate Cole survived a suicide attempt and TJ Jordan lost a close friend to suicide, they decided together that more needed to be done to ensure anyone in need is able to find the form of support that is right for them. OMHN is therefore dedicated to connecting the people of Oxfordshire to the mental health resources that they need through awareness campaigns, social media and the OMHN website. Whether you're a young professional who wants to find a local OCD support group, or a secondary school pupil looking for advice about eating disorders, you can ask us for help—we are Oxfordshire's ‘mental health search engine’.”

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Lifeline - Australia

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing emotional distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or visit lifeline.org.au to chat to a crisis supporter online (7pm – midnight every night.) If life is in danger, please call 000.