Hello, my name is...

Last March, I started the “Hello, my name is…” photo series as part of my first High Performance Leadership (HPL) project for Toastmasters.  For those of you unfamiliar with Toastmasters, it is an international non-profit organization that focuses on building better communication and leadership skills.  The purpose of the HPL project is create a project that allows you grow and improve your leadership skills through areas such as teambuilding, conflict management or in my case developing a vision.

The purpose of the “Hello, my name is…” project is to create a series of photos that illustrate the “Impact of Illness” stage of recovery and the effect of the stigma associated with mental illness. The series of photos will start with the individual’s name and the progress to show how their identity has taken away once they receive a diagnosis, including the derogatory slang terms often used and how the media portrays people with mental illness.  This is a self-directed process allowing each person the opportunity to share their own experiences.

While each photo shoot is unique to the experiences of the individual we follow the same process every time to ensure a continuity throughout the project.  With each step, they are the author of their own labels and place them on themselves.  Occasionally there will be some direction give solely for the purpose of ensuring each label can be seen.

The first series of photos starts with just the person’s name and show them as they really are before others find out about their diagnosis.

Next the focus is placed on their diagnosis and the clinical terms and how they have been treated by medical professionals, therapists, etc.  

Then we shift to the slang and other term, insults, etc. they have endured as a direct result of living with their illness.  In particular by their family members, co-workers, friends, peers, etc.

The final series of photos is to illustrate how the person feels as a direct result of the way the media, news outlets, and society in general portray mental illness. In addition to the labels they are also provided with a piece of duct tape where they are asked to share what they feel stole their voice.  

Throughout the photoshoot, I only refer to them by the labels they written and placed on themselves. The goal being to help them take off the masks we wear show what they are feeling in that moment.  It can be a difficult process at times and not only for those in front of the camera, but the results are worth it in the end. After we have completed the photoshoot each person is given the opportunity to talk about their experience and share their story. As challenging as the photoshoots are everyone who has participated has gotten something out of it.  Most have thanked me for the opportunity to participate in the project and told me afterwards if provided them with a catharsis.

To date I have had the opportunity to conduct a total of five separate photo shoots, not including my own, and present the project on three separate occasions as an art exhibit and panel discussion.  I’ve received great feedback from those involved and hope to expand the project in the near future by continuing to offer opportunities for anyone who would like to participate in the photo shoots. Also looking for organizations who are willing to sponsor the future public forums to continue the panel discussions and art exhibits to further educate people about the reality of living with a mental illness with the goal of eliminating the stigma surrounding it.