My work explores the often unspoken topic of mental health.

As a teenager in today’s world, I know that a lot of students at my school have some kind of mental struggle that often goes unspoken. Many don’t even acknowledge it because they might have been dealing with it for so long that it has become normalized to them while others feel pressure to be “strong” or even fear it makes them different, when in reality, the people around them are likely experiencing something similar. From depression to anxiety and eating disorders to simply feeling overwhelmed, each struggle deserves to be seen. I feel as though my personal experiences with mental health have opened my eyes to the struggles of those around me and made me an even more empathetic person.

My project depicts a human brain with a book, eye, ear, chisel, and glue bottle—each one having a different meaning. The book represents how every person has their own story, the eye represents how the things you see affect you, and the ear how the things you hear and are told shape you. The chisel symbolizes how those things can chip away at you in a way and damage you mentally which is illustrated in the part of the brain that is chipped away. Meanwhile the glue symbolizes how you’ll find people that’ll help heal and repair you, illustrated with a pool of glue covering the cracks. Ultimately, I hope my work encourages conversation about mental health and helps people feel less alone in their experiences—while also reminding viewers that everyone carries struggles, seen or unseen, and that empathy and understanding are essential.