Edmonton photo exhibit a snapshot of mental illness
An Edmonton photographer is sharing snapshots of life with mental illness to tackle the stigma of mental health conditions.
Lorna Dancey launched the State of Mind project more than a year ago, photographing volunteers at her home in Edmonton.
Dozens of men and women participated, recounting their experiences with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addiction.
“They’re so courageous, sharing their stories,” Dancey said.
“I’m really in awe of them and their courage and bravery and their drive to help other people going through the same thing.”
‘A definite affirmation’
One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
Katy Winget struggled with addiction and a severe eating disorder for nearly a decade before starting rehab at age 24.
‘It’s almost robbing people, I find, to not share our stories because out there somewhere is somebody who can relate to us.’ – Katy Winget, recovered addict
She met her husband in the program, with whom she had a daughter on her one-year anniversary of giving up drugs and alcohol.
“Drugs and alcohol nearly killed me,” she said.
“I don’t like it when people look at those people and think, ‘Oh they’re just a waste.’ If people had thought that about me, then I don’t know if I ever would have got out of what I did.”
More than a decade later, the two run a tattoo parlour and a mixed martial arts gym in Edmonton. Winget also works full-time as an educational assistant and is the president of her school’s parent council.
She had been following Dancey’s work online when friends recommended she participate in the State of Mind project.
Katy Winget shared her struggle with addiction and an eating disorder as part of the State of Mind project. (Supplied/Lorna Dancey)
At first, Winget said she had reservations, fearing parents at her school would judge her harshly.
“I actually did have a really hard time with it,” she said about posing for the photos.
But the flash of Dancey’s camera burned away those fears.
“It was a definite affirmation,” Winget said.
“It’s almost robbing people, I find, to not share our stories because out there somewhere is somebody who can relate to us.”
Starting a conversation
As part of her project, Dancey also gave a face to people affected by suicide.
Suicide is one of the 10 leading causes of death in the country, according to data gathered by Statistics Canada from 2009 to 2013.
Amanda Adams lost her father, Orson Schwabe, to suicide. When she heard about Dancey’s project, she wanted to share his story.
Amanda Adams participated in the project in memory of her father, Orson Schwabe, who committed suicide after suffering from bipolar disorder for years. (Supplied/Lorna Dancey)
Schwabe suffered from bipolar disorder, an illness characterized by intense mood swings between elation and depression.
About one per cent of Canadians are diagnosed with the condition, according to the CMHA.
Some days, Adams’ father would be “up” — a whirlwind of jokes, energy and affection. Then he would crash, lying on the couch for days.
“It was hard to watch him spiral,” Adams said.
Ten years ago, he committed suicide.
The stigma around her father’s illness didn’t sink in until she started talking about how he died, Adams said.
“They would look at me like I had just told them something really horrible,” she said. “It was important for me to be involved in this project because that’s not how I want him to be remembered.”
‘Now is the time to start talking’
Adams and Winget are featured in one of 80 photographs on display at Edmonton city hall from May 8 to 15.
Dancey said she hopes her exhibit helps end the stigma surrounding people who struggle with mental illness.
“I can use my photography to raise awareness for social issues that I’m passionate about,” she said. “Now is the time to start talking and start educating and making it OK to not be OK.”