Art & Mental Health Awareness

Art is the universal language. No matter what form that art takes, it speaks to each person who sees, reads, or hears it. So you can use art to start conversations and bring people together. And that is what the Talking It Out: A Virtual Festival in Support of Mental Health Awareness is all about.

The overall mission of Talking It Out is to use art in its many forms to continue or start a conversation around mental health awareness. In addition, visual art is a way to bridge the gap between the inner world and the outside world.

There is a reason that art therapy for both children and adults is very much a valid form of therapy. What cannot be spoken in words usually comes out in art. And when it comes to finding the words to fit how I am feeling, that can be challenging, and I am a writer. Words are my bestest of friends. 

Click here to virtually attend the Talking It Out: A Virtual Festival in Support of Mental Health Awareness art exhibit. To check out the other events they have hosted, you can check out their website here.

Not a Visual Artist

It’s true. I don’t consider myself a visual artist. I started drawing because I wanted images to use on my blog. I am terrified to use anyone else’s images because copyright infringement can be expensive. So, when in fear of copyright, create your stuff. And so, I started drawing for my blog.

I was drawing for my blog, which led to anxiety-relieving free-form art. I have no idea if free-form art is a thing, but that is what I consider the other stuff I do. I don’t usually have anything in mind when I create some of my art. I tend to roll with how I am feeling.

I don’t consider myself a visual artist, but I still submitted my art for the Talking It Out Art Show. And I suppose I need to reframe my view of myself because my art is in the show! Wow.  

Here is the situation, we are all going through a lot of shit. If you or someone you love is struggling, please encourage them to seek professional help. I engaged in therapy to understand and work through what I could do. And you can too.

 I recommend Online-Therapy.* Encouraging therapy is their first step in healing.

Conversations Around Mental Health Awareness

More important than getting all the feels about being an artist is that I hope my and other artists’ work will spark conversations. Mental health conversations are critical, especially around this time of year. The holidays are hard for a lot of people.

So if you are wondering how to have that all-important mental health conversation, perhaps start by sharing this link with that person. Ask them what they think about the art that is displayed. You may be surprised how that person opens up to share. Sometimes people just need a doorway to walk through.

Art can do that.

Art will do that.

You only need to give art a chance.

* I receive compensation from Online-Therapy when you use my referral link. I only recommend products and services when I believe in them.