PHOTOVOICE is an engagement and empowerment strategy that uses photography as a tool for social change. It gives any group the opportunity to record, reflect on, and critique personal and community issues in a creative way.

The aim of this project is to motivate participants to be actively involved in decisions that affect their own lives, while decreasing stigma and broadening understanding of their personal struggles. The resulting exhibit, REFOCUSING THE LENS, features the work of five participants who have documented their personal experiences with mental health, eager to represent them to the outside world.

Limits, By DK

Artist’s Statement

Having endured so much for so long you get to the point when you’ve taken absolutely all you can bear. At that point it becomes evident that you do not have the tools you need to move into wellness from where you are – you have no choice but to do what you desperately needed to do from the beginning: reach out. Having been so closed off for so long, I have now learned that for the rest of my life there will always people who are willing to, and capable of, helping me. Believing this, despite some strong opposing thoughts arising within myself, I have found to be key in me maintaining hope.

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