Mindscapes: ‘An Untold Story
An exhibition of new works by:
Judy Stacey, Kevin Cumby, Bradley Whitten, Annette Rodgers, Rob McCormack, Toby Rabinowitz, Francis Clark, Melissa Tremblett, Karen Hanlon, Tracey Robinson, David Tuck, Noreen Mooney, Alison Rideout, Jamie Hearn
About the exhibition:
Mental illness continues to be the least understood of all illnesses. Mental illness is not visible, it does not require assistive aids, make you lose your hair, make you pale or weak. What is the face of mental illness? Mental health affects us all. In fact Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are at greater risk than most.
According to a recent study by the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI), Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of hospitalization due to self harm in all of Canada. Moreover, in most provinces and territories a clear linkage can be made to socio-economic circumstances and self injury. However, in our province the entire population is of equal risk and therefore we need a stronger more all-encompassing approach.
What can we do? We need to educate to break down the fear of the unknown that leads to stigma and discrimination. We need to invest in our communities to improve and create more services. We need to share our stories, our challenges, and celebrate our successes. We need to tell the “Untold Story” that is mental illness.
In its 7th year, Canadian Mental Health Association, NL’s annual art exhibition does just that. We pride ourselves in bringing together consumers, corporations health care providers, non profits, and the public to celebrate all of our accomplishments. Our artists are a symbol of pain, turmoil, strength and recovery, and we are pleased to offer their story once again through Mindscapes: ‘An Untold Story.