‘Never be afraid to ask for help’
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER PETER FITZSIMONS TALKS TO OLIVIA RYAN ABOUT USING A CAMERA TO DO GOOD
‘If you can use a camera to do good, then it’s worth every penny,’ says amateur photographer Peter Fitzsimons who launched his ‘Mental Health project’ on Instagram recently, inviting people to share their personal stories, and pictures.
He was, he admitted ‘ astounded by the bravery and honesty’ of those who took part.
‘Last year, I actually ran my first project to highlight awareness around mental health issues. I decided then after such positive feedback, and after much relief from sharing my own story, that I would make the project a yearly one, with the aim of widening the scope of the project over time.’
Peter speaks of his own battle with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and anxiety, adding that a devastating family tragedy saw him confront the reality of mental health issues.
‘I had actually moved to Dundalk from Dublin in 2000 to live with my brother, Derek who was a manager at Tesco in the Longwalk. I ended up staying as I loved it so much.’
But in December 2007, Peter’s world was shattered when Derek took his own life.
‘It was something that we as a family just never thought would happen at all. It was so shocking, so unexpected. There was no indication from him before it that he was going to do that or that he was going through something. It’s one of the hardest parts of it all.’
In time, he says, they began to peel back the layers of his life, and found what he describes as ‘ a multitude of reasons’ why his brother would have been suffering.
‘But as with so many of these cases we just never knew. He never spoke about anything like that, which made it so shocking I think.’
That shock, compounded with the grief of losing a much loved brother, brought his own mental issues ‘much more into focus.’
‘ That’s actually what led me into photography, it became an outlet at first. It gives me that break from normal life. Some people might pick up painting. Some might take up walking. But when I got a camera in my hand, it helped me get away from things.’
With a deep seated desire to ‘ help others who are struggling with their mental health, he decided to launch the photography project, an encourage people to share what they are going through.
‘ There was a great reaction to it the first year. This year I had to run the project differently than I had planned due to COVID.
However, even by having to adopt my approach to this year’s project, it has been a huge success, and has received a monstrous amount of support both publicly and privately.’
Some of the life stories he received, alongside stunning personal photographs, make harrowing reading.
Detailing the battles the human mind often faces, the stories also feature inspiring moments of true bravery in the face of adversity.
‘ These are real stories from real people, and I’m truly in awe at how honest people have been. It was unbelievable.’
One man revealed how he had been sold as a baby, for £120, and was placed by the Catholic Church with parents who loved him ‘unconditionally’. Despite his upbringing, he speaks of the ‘alienation’ he felt, adding ‘I’ve carried a man’s load since I was a child.’
One woman who took part in the project, was a successful model who had travelled around the world.
She spoke of feeling ‘ flawed in her own world’ and the impact that has had on her.
He adds: ‘ The project is not about me, or any one person, it is about all of us, we are a community of people brought together by the love of photography and as a member of that community I want to thank every single person that took part, because without them, their bravery and determination in helping themselves and others, this project would never have happened.’
Peter adds that the 2020 project is filled with stories from people who have faced up to what has been going on in their lives, and in their minds.
‘I think COVID, and the lockdowns we have faces as a result, have really had a severe impact on mental health. A lot of people, if they keep busy five or six days a week, working and that, they can block out that stuff in their head. But COVID brought so much to the fore, and if you can talk about it at all, you should. It can really help.’
Such has been the success of the first two years of the project that Peter is already hoping to run it again in 2021.
‘I am hoping the project will focus on homelessness next year. It would be an opportunity to include the human stories of people who have experienced homelessness.’
For now, he is hoping the mental health project will help people reach out
‘If this project helps even one person then it will be a major success and worth every second.’
‘Never be afraid to ask for help.’
THE COVID LOCKDOWNS HAVE HAD A SERIOUS IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH AND BROUGHT MANY ISSUES TO THE FORE