Photo therapy

I just read Martin Hursthouse’s letter (‘Monkey business’) in AP 3 March. I also found Tracy Calder’s ‘ Viewpoint’ and Geoff Harris’ article (‘Photography can save your life’) in AP 24 February to be very interesting. I expect that this is just the tip of a much larger subject, and that photography provides a boost to mental well-being for photographers in a multitude of ways. These would include aspects such as creativity; a sense of purpose, pleasure and delight in having something to show and share with others; learning, entering competitions; striving for improvement; feeling a sense of achievement and enjoying other photographers’ work. These make photography an enjoyable activity and beneficial to one’s mental health. Mark Gilbert I don’t often buy camera magazines, but your article about photography and mental health (‘Photography can save your life’ in AP 24 February) grabbed my attention. I have suffered from depression and chronic pain from a genetic condition for a long time, and photography has often been my lifeline. There have always been cameras around me. I got my first proper camera (Canon A1) when I was 17, but it is only in the past 10 years that this hobby has become a form of therapy for me. In 2008, two days before my dad died suddenly of a heart attack, I had started a project to take a photograph a day. I worked through my grief both in front of and behind the camera, using the exploratory medium of selfportraits to turn my feelings into images. Focusing on the ‘here and now’, feeling the wind, hearing the birds and rushing water, and the visual feast around me is a wonderfully mindful experience. I honestly believe that without photography, I would not be here now. Thank you for highlighting this aspect of photography; it is not talked about enough. Rachael Taylor Thanks for highlighting the benefits of photography in relation to mental health (‘Photography can save your life’ in AP 24 February). I’ve suffered from social anxiety and mild depression for most of my life (I am now 43). My interest in photography grew when I got to grips with underwater photography (I am also a scuba diver). I am a member of a meetup group, and there is a regular core group of us who get together. Not only do these meetups ease away my stresses and troubles for some time by allowing me to get into a mindful state, they also help reduce my social anxiety because I get together with a group of friendly individuals who share the same interests. If you suffer from social anxiety, joining a meetup group will bring huge rewards. David Bowman Thanks to everyone who wrote in about our recent article. It’s great to see that it touched so many people – Geoff Harris, deputy editor