Art Therapy - Mental Illness in the Arts Community

Oct. 26, 2007:

Art Therapy

CBC TV's Bob Mersereau has the story of a special art exhibit opening Oct 27 at the Moncton Museum. It features artists who all have some kind of experience with mental illness and is sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association. The connection between creativity and mental illness has long been debated. Some of the world's most well-known and respected artists have struggled with depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Mersereau has the story of a creative mind in Moncton who is sharing HER struggle for the first time in a very public way.

Play: Windows media player (runs 5:13)

Post from CBC.CA website: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/background/allinyourhead/radioandtv.html

Mindscapes NB - Artist Speech

Mindscapes New Brunswick

October 26^th, 2007 - November 20th, Moncton Museum

Artist Speech - Written and Presented by Nadine Lipton

Everyone has a burden to bear and sometimes the heaviest burdens are the ones you can't see.


Some of the most famous people from our past have gone through the most difficult times.


The one thing that all of these people from the past or the present have in common is that they have suffered from a mental illness at some point in their lives; Sinead O'Connor, Robbie Williams, Brooke Shields, Richard Dreyfuss, Winona Ryder, Linda Hamilton, Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller, Kylie Minogue, Uma Thurman, George Michael, Margot Kidder, Michael Hutchence, Vincent Van Gogh, Jackson Pollack Abe Lincoln and Winston Churchill.


Did anyone ever tell you that these people who have accomplished great things in their lives, have also all suffered from a mental illness?


They lived in the shadows, and this shadow continues to hide most of the people today who suffer in silence.


10 years! That is the average length of time between the onset of symptoms and the correct diagnosis of a mental illness.


A lot of important things can happen in 10 years don't you think?


Many people lose everything and every part of their life is affected; family, friends, relationships, children, job, finances and in most cases your physical health deteriorates as well.


At first they deny it. "Not Me, Not my parent, not my child. There is nothing like THAT in MY family...."


Sometimes the denial can last for years until the illness gets so out of control that nobody can ignore it any longer. It takes over and can swallow the person whole.


I don't understand why people are still labeled when they are diagnosed.


We often hear, "He is Schizophrenic, She is Bipolar, He is OCD, She is Anorexic". Have you ever heard anyone say, "He is Cancer, She is Diabetes, He is Lung Disease, She is Heart Disease?


People justify giving others these labels to distance themselves from this illness, and this person....


Should we tell them it's not contagious???


I think we should PERSONIFY the illness and HUMANIZE the person.


"He is fighting Schizophrenia, She is surviving Bipolar Illness, He is in control of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and She is managing Anorexia."


This fragile community needs a voice, and acceptance. Suicide is preventable through awareness, education, understanding, and caring.


There are things that everyone can do; talk about it, write about it, blog about it, get it out there, don't leave it in the shadows.


If you need help, seek it out, if your friend or family member needs help, find it, ask questions, get answers.


Don't just let it slide because you never know when someone's life depends on it, including your own.


I hope that mental illness awareness will soon be as prevalent and spoken about openly as any other illness so that nobody has to endure more suffering caused by having to live their life in the shadows.


It is time to move into the light!


- Nadine Lipton (October 26th, 2007)

Mindscapes New Brunswick in Moncton Oct 26th - Nov. 20th, 2007

The Canadian Mental Health Association NB Division is proud to present for the second time MINDSCAPES NEW BRUNSWICK an exhibit of mental health consumer art held at the Moncton Museum from October 26^th through to November 20^th, 2007.

Through creative expression, the talented artists who contribute to this exhibit have made an important connection by reaching out to everyone who views their works. The works apply originality and personal nature of the artist’s expression. The art displayed is from across the province and consists of drawings, paintings, wood carvings, paper art, photographs, pottery, crafts, poetry and three-dimensional works.

Making Connections through artistic expression

Good mental health is essential to everyone's well-being. It is a sign of a healthy society. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) believes that to achieve good mental health, we must strive for balance in our lives. Making connections - reaching out to those who can help us find that balance - will guide us on the journey to well-being.

Connecting with others to improve the quality of life and care for people affected by mental health problems has been at the heart of the CMHA since it was formed in 1918.

For those living with mental illness, as well as their families, friends and colleagues, reaching out to the CMHA connects them with information, education, support, and many other helpful services and resources in their community. With CMHA offices in more than 135 communities coast-to-coast-to-coast, there are many opportunities to make connections.

Today, we understand that to achieve good mental health, we need to expand our circle of support. The CMHA is achieving this by connecting with our partners in the mental health community and beyond, including organizations that address the many issues that impact on mental health. Being part of Mindscapes is an example of such a partnership.

Please click here to see the Exhibit Program - Mindscapes NB 2007

Please click here to see the Exhibit Program - Mindscapes NB 2006

Being Bipolar - A Poem

Being Bi-polar

I’ve always known something wasn’t quite right
…I felt it from the start
It’s not something that would be present every day
But I felt it in my heart

Despite being very intelligent
Most things seemed out of reach
But the illness became more prevalent as an adult
And so too were the lessons it would teach

I once had a wife and child
…A family of my own
Then one day I woke up from a nightmare
And everything was gone

I once met the girl of my dreams
With a smile so bright and a heart of gold
But I pushed her and pushed her away
Until all she could do is fold

As I struggle to rebuild my life
I ponder this illnesses’ high cost
For each and every day is a reminder
Of everything I’ve lost

- Yves Robichaud (Feb 1st, 2007)