Viewing Mental Illness Through Art

February 17, 2022

by The Gavel, Katherine McCabe, Maddy Mitchell, Julianna Pijar, Frankie Mancini and Lexi Rich

[TW/CW: mental illness, ED]

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasis has been placed on physical health, and keeping oneself and others safe during this unprecedented time. However, we at The Gavel seek to bring some attention to the effect COVID-19 has had on mental health. For many people, being stuck inside, isolated, and at many times, scared, exacerbated the hardships that declining mental health can cause. Not only that, but the pandemic has majorly limited resources, leaving people unable to get the help that they need to improve their mental health. The following graphics and images were created by members of The Gavel's creative team, and are intended to provide a unique perspective on the experience of various mental illnesses.

Maddy Mitchell

ADHD is an executive function disorders, which can cause difficulty with attention, impulse control, sensory experiences, and more. To learn more about ADHD, visit https://www.bbrfoundation.org/faq/frequently-asked-questions-about-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd?gclid=CjwKCAjwybyJBhBwEiwAvz4G7xND8cVE8mJtoHd32a9YWMsTTYYMhQkEkjKiJYkZmytdWx1PBCnf-xoC3AYQAvD_BwE

Frankie Mancini

Everyone can experience everyday anxiety, but anxiety disorders are very different. People suffering from a chronic anxiety disorder feel constant emotions of worry, restlessness, and have trouble concentrating. To learn more, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

Lexi Rich

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a disorder of executive function, but it presents in many different ways. ASD is a developmental disorder which affects a person’s development socially and behaviorally. To learn more about ASD, visit https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder

The Gavel, Katherine McCabe, Maddy Mitchell, Julianna Pijar, Frankie Mancini and Lexi Rich | BANG.

Depression is a common disorder. However, it is also a very major mood disorder. People with depression find that it affects almost every aspect of their lives, from their ability to sleep, eat, and complete work, to their motivation to do things that they once found fun or enjoyable. To learn more about depression, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

The Gavel, Katherine McCabe, Maddy Mitchell, Julianna Pijar, Frankie Mancini and Lexi Rich | BANG.

Dyslexia, unlike the other disorders we have looked at thus far, is a learning disability. Common characteristics of this are difficulty with phonological processing, spelling, and rapid visual-verbal response. To learn more about dyslexia and for resources on how to cope with it, visit https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dyslexia-Information-Page

Frankie Mancini

Eating disorders are more than just disordered eating; they include disordered thoughts and behaviors which lead to viewing food as something evil or bad. There are many types of eating disorders, some causing those suffering with them to lose weight, while others gain weight. Either way, eating disorders cause an unhealthy relationship with food. To learn more about eating disorders, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

The Gavel, Katherine McCabe, Maddy Mitchell, Julianna Pijar, Frankie Mancini and Lexi Rich | BANG.

Panic disorder is a sub disorder of Anxiety. With panic disorder, people have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that will last several minutes to several hours, called panic attacks. Panic attacks can feel like having a heart attack, an asthma attack, or even drowning, and can occur at any time. Panic disorder affects people in their everyday life. To learn more, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, always know help is available. Here are some resources that you can use if you feel like you need help feeling better:

Lean On Me @ Boston College: https://lean0n.me/bc/

TEXT: (617) 553-6655

Boston University School of Medicine Psychiatry, free 24 hour helpline: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/psychiatry/clinical-services/emergency-services-program/

CALL: 1-800-981-4357

SAMHSA National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

CALL: 1-800-662-4357

Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org/help-for-depression/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRhPAJWfUOroubYPCCiFrdiNY5JUP7qKjE-DMIUEVNMsX0nLbnS0gIgaAl6xEALw_wcB

TEXT: CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a Crisis Counselor.