About the Exhibition
At Deakin we want to talk about mental health and wellbeing and put it at the centre of all we do. It’s important to know that mental health is a broader concept than just dealing with any problems you may face. Mental health can range from thriving - feeling good and functioning well – to mental health conditions (or mental illness) where people experience symptoms that affect their thoughts, feelings, or behaviour.
We know that mental health conditions (or mental illnesses) are common. One in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year; and 3 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression, yet this common illness often remains hidden by those who suffer.
Research indicates that rates of distress and vulnerability to mental health problems is higher in university students than the general population.
As part of Deakin’s Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, we want to break down the societal stigma surrounding mental illness by providing an opportunity to speak out about mental health and wellbeing, the challenges associated with mental ill health as well as also how our students mentally thrive.
This Mind Matters Student Art Exhibition shares the unique mental health and wellbeing journeys of our students.
The Exhibit shares work by students that:
- are inspired by or reflects mental health and wellbeing
- are influenced by a personal mental health journey
- comes from caring for someone with a mental health issue.
Through this Exhibit we are showcasing the amazing creative talents of our community in a space that helps to destigmatise mental health and inspires positive action.
Each piece is provocative, thought-provoking, and intensely intimate, and we congratulate our artists for their courage, talent, and willingness to share.
The Exhibit includes pieces submitted in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Each year we will continue to build on the student exhibit; continuing to shine a light on mental health and mental health difficulties.
We hope you enjoy the exhibition, and even obtain some inspiration to support yourself and/or your loved ones.