Monthly Prompt

My submission, “Floating into Better Health” details a community striving to connect and help those around them. As depicted, community members are giving those in need balloons in the shape of hearts, tied with a green ribbon, emblematic of the Green Mental Health Ribbon. The heart balloons are symbolic of a community’s willingness to devote resources, and more importantly heart and love, to the ones around them, allowing them to “float” into a better mental health. My piece shows the willingness & passion of loved ones helping those in need. In this way, it calls on a community wide effort to help those who are struggling the most.

My submission is about two friends sitting on a bench and one is going through mental health problems. The one on the right struggles with stress and anxiety which has caused him to feel depressed. The person on the left wants to help out his friend by talking to him about what he’s going through and how he can help. This shows that young people can take action by reaching out to the ones they care about who are going through mental struggles and giving them support.

This is how I see me, and how I see my friends. Instead of how they look, see them as they are. Some are quiet, some are shy, but we are all creative and confident. we accept each other as we are… funny, loyal, smart and a bit goofy. We can share about anything, even reach out if we need help. That gives us all hope.

My artwork shows one person handing a “text HOPE” card to another person. The piece is meant to show how offering help, or where to get help and noticing when someone needs it is really important and can shed light on a dark situation. The person at the top of the frame is in bright colors that show happiness and seem to glow. This is in direct contrast to the blue and gray tones on the second person, who, in addition to lying on the table, is drawn in dark colors and surrounded by other shades of gray. The ribbon, bracelet, and card are all references to mental health awareness and resources.

As someone who struggles with mental health disabilities, this prompt really spoke to me. I know what it’s like to have depression, anxiety, and ADHD, it can feel overwhelming, as if there’s no hope and you’re drowning from sorrow and fear, with no chance of escaping. I tried to portray these feelings in the drowning girl, who is desperately grasping for help. Above the water is another girl wearing a lime green ribbon in her hair, and lime green dress, this girl represents hope, which is unreachable to depression, but still trying. Around the two girls are green butterflies that stand for freedom, hope, and peace. While making this art piece, I felt what the butterflies represent; at peace with myself, hope for the future, and freedom from my burdens, and I hope that is displayed in my work.