Hear Me See Me
An exploration into the reality for people negotiating adverse mental health, and highlighting the connection to community.
In support of the BeUnstoppable Foundation, an organisation that provides training and education to help people overcome and manage their own adverse mental health.
“There comes a point where you no longer care if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel or not. You’re just sick of the tunnel.” - Renata Suzuki
“Down on the ocean floor That's where I'm heading for Hold on to a sinking stone Until the worst is known Nobody wants to think about it Nobody wants to talk about it Nobody protects you They make it go away Pretending that it's all okay Broken pieces on the ground And everyone's tiptoeing 'round” - Lyrics Neil Finn ‘Nobody Wants To’
You say you think of me all the time You say I’m strong You say I’m resilient You say you’re proud of me So why am I so alone?
We search for connection, a basic human need. When we can’t fulfill this need in person, we seek it through social media, however we become trapped by it, and disillusioned by the images of perfection portrayed by others. Life however, is perfectly imperfect.
It’s a bit like walking down a long, dark corridor, never knowing when the light will come on
Sometimes I just want to disappear. Sometimes I just want to be found.
You say you SEE me But do you REALLY see ME?
You tell me to reach out but then you tell me “All you need to do is….” “Fake it until you make it” “It could be worse “ “Did I tell you about the time….” “You’re overreacting” “She’s over it” “Stop trying to make me feel guilty “ “Stop feeling sorry for yourself” The only person that helps is you. And so the darkness keeps calling.
Our face is a Mask We wear to protect You
“Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise ... Blackbird, fly Blackbird, fly Into the light of the dark black night” Paul McCartney/John Lennon