Mental Health Stigma

My awareness poster is about Mental health and the stigma associated with the illness. The 3 faces of the women show her internal struggle with mental illness. On the cracked rock I've place words (stigmas) that can come from within (the black letter) and from others (the red letters). I am hoping my awareness poster aids in breaking the stigma of mental illness; and shows the struggle of those who suffer with this sometimes debilitating illness.

"Mental health stigma is the negative attitude and discrimination that people with mental illness face from society and sometimes themselves. Stigma can cause shame, isolation, fear, and reluctance to seek help, which can worsen mental health problems and reduce quality of life."1

"Mental health stigma ..... can lead to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Public awareness and literacy have increased substantially over the years, yet some entrenched stigmas persist today. "1

1. “Mental Health Stigma | Psychology Today.” Www.psychologytoday.com, www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mental-health-stigma.

Images:

big-crack-rock-big-crack-rock-scenery-175671836.jpg (1600×1157) (dreamstime.com)

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/36/ee/d4/36eed43b6c4a81510412c8ddea822424.jpg

https://www.redbookmag.com/life/g29411732/important-mental-health-facts/
 

Mental Health Stigma Awareness Poster Pt.1 sketches and concepts

 My goal is to bring awareness to the stigma associated with having mental illness. "Mental health stigma involves marking and discrediting people due to their differences, which can instill feelings of shame or worthlessness. Those with mental health conditions may be labeled, stereotyped, or discriminated against as a result. For example, someone with a mental health condition may be called “crazy” or “dangerous”.1
Stigma affects the mental health of persons who are already vulnerable by further instilling a sense of social isolation.2 

My concept is Mental Health Stigma. 

Concept #1:

Show a side view of a person with a spiral of mental health struggles. The page is divided into 2 by a diagonal zig zag. The word on the right asks readers to stop mental health stigma. Pick show the mental internal struggle and the separation put up by mental health stigma. Thinking of using the words "stop" or "end."

Concept #2: 

Show two brains on the left (repetition of design). the two boxes on the right display the problem (Mental health stigma) and a list of different mental health struggles. The two brains show the struggle to function with a mental illness.

Concept #3

Show a distressed/sad person sitting on the left and Mental health Stigma and a list of disorders on bottom. Stigma leads to further struggle and isolation.

Concept #4

Show side/front view (with a blurred or double image) showing how stigma exacerbates the struggle of mental illness.

Concept #5 Shows the faces of mental illness and the rejection of stigma.

Concept #6 poster is using word and no images with background of fireworks and the word stigma is blown apart.

 Concept #7 person side view with thoughts on hate and negative views to the right, the wors "Stigma" and "fear" in bold wavy font.

Concept #8 side view of person, hammer and cracked rock mound with the word stigma. 

1. How Does Stigma Affect Mental Health?

Anon Year: 2020 Container: Steve Rose, PhD URL: https://steverosephd.com/how-does-stigma-affect-mental-health/

2. Mental Health Stigma | Psychology Today

Anon Container: www.psychologytoday.com URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mental-health-stigma

Maternal Mortality

 

Maternal Mortality

I chose this topic because, I believe we are all created equal, and each person deserves to be given the same level of care, regardless of race, background, economic standing or beliefs. Childbirth is an exciting, scary and vulnerable time for families and there is no place stressors of inequality- compassion is what's needed. Health care profession take an oath to "Do no harm" when caring for patients but racism and implicit bias have become a too common. A change needs happen now, before more lives are lost senselessly.

 "Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. Her home state of Alabama has the third-highest maternal mortality rate in the nation." 1

To be Black anywhere in America is to experience higher rates of chronic ailments like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's and, most recently, COVID-19. Black Americans have less access to adequate medical care; their life expectancy is shorter. 1

From birth to death, regardless of wealth or social standing, they are far more likely to get sick and die from common ailments.

Black Americans’ health issues have long been ascribed to genetics or behavior, when in actuality, an array of circumstances linked to racism — among them, restrictions on where people could live and historical lack of access to care — play major roles. Discrimination and bias in hospital settings have been disastrous. 

The nation’s health disparities have had a tragic impact: Over the past two decades, the higher mortality rate among Black Americans resulted in 1.6 million excess deaths compared to white Americans. That higher mortality rate resulted in a cumulative loss of more than 80 million years of life due to people dying young and billions of dollars in health care and lost opportunity."1

I really enjoy learning about the functions of photoshop!  I added the mom as the center focal point facing the sun (a symbol of hope), positioned the symbol of health care and the word do no hard on dying wood form. Lastly, I positioned floating fetuses to symbolize the moms lost to this crisis. I would display my photomontage in the Lobby of health care facilities.

cite

1. Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy? One reason: Doctors don't take them seriously.

Kat Stafford

Year: 2023 Container: AP NEWS URL: https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/from-birth-to-death/black-women-maternal-mortality-rate.html

Websites

TexasAIM: How Does it Help Maternal Health? - Reform AustinHow 

OBHG Is Responding To The Continued Rise Of U.S. Maternal Mortality Rates - OBHG

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/10/a-proclamation-on-black-maternal-health-week-2023/

Images

Beautiful Pregnant Woman - Mother Watercolor Illustration | Stock vector | Colourbox

16 Weeks Pregnant - Indusladies.com

il_fullxfull.1961276446_by7i.jpg (2509×1979) (etsystatic.com)

627226.jpg (800×800) (logodix.com)