Project turns angst into art
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of the “PRH: Making A Difference” series of articles appearing daily in the Penticton Herald until Nov. 3, highlighting Penticton Regional Hospital as it moves towards the opening of its new patient care tower in the spring of 2019.
“Life is taking place and coming back after a hard winter. Water is a source of life. A single water droplet has a soothing, calm look to it.
“It’s something I want more of in my life. A little bit of peace and relaxation for a breath or two.”
Those insightful words accompany a photograph of a water droplet on branches budding in spring, taken by a young Penticton woman being treated for mental health issues. She was one of five mental health clients who agreed to include some of their works in the PhotoVoice Project.
In addition to the photographs, paintings by several local artists were also on display in a recent art exhibition at Penticton Regional Hospital organized by the newly-formed PRH arts committee and the Penticton Arts Council.
Kayla Nemes and Andrea Larson, two mental health professionals with Interior Health who facilitated the PhotoVoice Project, said they were keen to create something therapeutic and which involved the young photographers going outside the mental health unit at the Penticton Health Centre.
“We wanted to get out into the community and provide them with a chance to show their stories on a wider level,” Nemes said. “The really cool thing about it is that it really gives the participants a chance to share their stories and their struggles.”
“It can be a real catalyst for change.”
Larson said six of their mental health clients, from 19 to 26 years old, volunteered to participate in the PhotoVoice Project over a seven-week period. They chose different themes every week that had something to do with their mental health and wellness.
“Every week we would go out into the community. Everyone had a camera and would take photos related to the theme chosen that week,” she said.
The group would meet afterwards at a central location and share their photos with the others. “We had an open discussion about the significance of that photo for them. It was a really neat experience when it came to sharing their struggles with mental health.”
Five of the six participants in the project agreed to share their photos with the public as part of the recent PRH art show, the “Healing Power of Art.”
Larson said the exhibit provided a great venue for the mental health program to get the participants’ photos out before the public.
The PhotoVoice Project is connected to Penticton Mental Health’s early psychosis intervention program which serves youth who have had a new diagnosis of psychosis. The aim of the program is to provide support through education and engagement in order to empower clients and their families.
The PhotoVoice concept was first developed in the 1970s and has been used around the world as a tool to give a voice, through photography, to individuals who are marginalized.
PRH is currently undergoing a $312-million expansion and the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation is raising $20 million to provide the medical equipment required. To donate, contact the SOS Medical Foundation at 250-492-9027 or visit our website : sosmedicalfoundation.com.