Intimate Talks: Mental Health and Art
I spoke with Tee today and she is truly the sweetest and most kind gal I have ever met. She makes me smile each and every day and I feel like you guys will love her too. Find her on the links below.
I started this interview by saying that she didn’t have to answer any questions she didn’t want to as I do with everyone. Questions are bigger and my own words are bold and italicized. Enjoy.
What’s your experience with mental illness?
Mental illness has always been present within my life. My mother has always suffered with it, and me too. I din’t have the easiest of childhoods, and never felt like I fitted in my own skin let alone with other children. I got bullied when I was much younger, too. I have always struggled to make friends and spent a lot of my time being alone. This never bothered me growing up, I just did my best.
When I was at high school, I began to realise there was something not quite normal with me, as much as I tried to rationalise myself and my thoughts and feelings I could not. I sort out counselling within the school but it was not successful at that time. After that I believed I had to deal with it alone; I suffered in silence. This made me an extremely angry and unstable person. I sort out destructive coping mechanisms to deal (which i will not mention as they could be trigger for others) with all that was going on inside me.
In 2015, I finally sought out help once again, and received a diagnosis for my conditions, was placed on medication and received therapy. I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and panic disorder with suicidal tendencies. I still believe it is an on-going process with my mental health, and that I need a further diagnosis. Mental health is a constant battle, but I have made so much progress from many years ago. I have become less angry and no-longer seek destructive coping mechanisms. I have some amazing, wonderful friends and family that I am so grateful for. Things get better I promise you. If you are reading this and can relate on any level to any of what I am saying please seek help. Helping yourself and taking care of yourself is so important.
This brave and strong girl. Thank you for sharing your story with me and everyone else. I teared up a bit.
Why is mental health so important?
Mental health awareness is so important. So many people within this world suffer with mental illness - in fact, according to World Health Organisation, 1 in four people will at some point in their life! I think raising awareness, talking about mental illness and having the accurate representation is SO important because of this. Let’s think about it: how many of us are truly affect or impacted by mental illness? Whether it is loved one, a sibling,a parent a grandparent a friend, a colleague or ourselves. So let’s talk about it. Let’s make it heard and ensure people start understanding how common mental illness is; so we can begin to remove the stigma attached to it.
Do you use art as a way to cope? Or is it more of a hobby?
Yes, I very much use art as a to cope. An artist I love so much, Anastasia Tasou, taught me that you could use art anyway you wanted. Art does not have to look a certain way; it is whatever you want it to be. And, because of this, I do just that. I don’t worry about how my art looks now and just have fun creating it and letting my feelings out onto paper. I love sharing what I do, and I do love it when people enjoy what I make, I hope people can relate and know they aren’t alone in what they feel because I feel it too.
How did you find your style?
Again, my style is heavily influenced by my feelings, poetry and a few artists that I completely love. Mainly my style is influenced by Anastasia Tasou. Influences on my style are: David Bowie, Hannah Pixie Snowdon, Wendy Cope (a poet), Rupi Kaur (a poet), Patti Smith, Sandro Botticelli and Banksy. And some smaller, indie artists.
What’s your favourite thing about your style?
My favourite thing about my style? I would say the freedom. I don’t feel contained or restrained by what I ‘should’ create. I used to get bogged down by the feelings of my artwork 'not being good enough’ and would compare my ability to others. Now, I don’t do that and am just happy with what I create.
What’s your favourite thing about art?
Art is such a large spectrum and that is what I love most. People can really do anything and create anything. It’s why I love to go to galleries and see work that has been created by others and try and see it from their perspective.
Swerving off topic a bit but, book recommendations?
Yes! There is nothing I love more than a good book. I recently just finished a wonderful book called 'I’ll Give You the Sun’ by Jandy Nelson. It made me feel so inspired to create more art and gave me a new perspective on things - please go and read it. Another favourite is 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky, a classic coming of age that is touching and gives wonderful representation to mental illness, without causing or abiding to stigma. 'Milk and Honey’ is another book I recommend for poetry lovers - there is something in there for everyone. It is an amazing poetry book that really covers every part of life.
Sound like some really good reads!
Positive words for everyone reading?
Remember you are strong, you are beautiful, you all matter greatly. Even in your moments of doubt, please remember you matter in this world, even if you question it. One of the quotes I relate to in my moments of doubt and difficulties was said by the famous The Doctor: “Over 900 years of time and space and I’ve never met someone who wasn’t important.” So remember you matter!
I can’t thank you enough for doing this, gal. It was too amazing. If you’d like me to interview you about whatever, send me an email at [email protected] with the subject line ‘Interview’.
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