Be inspired by our Mind Matters student artwork and submit your own!
How did you enjoy Mind Matters Week? At Deakin, we take your mental health and wellbeing seriously and put it at the centre of all we do.
Mental illness can significantly affect a person’s cognitive, emotional and social functioning. But the full spectrum of mental health is also about helping you to feel your best, cope with stressful situations and contribute to your community, whatever your personal situation.
With research showing that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from low moods, stress and depression, dedicating some regular time to activities you enjoy can really help to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
That’s why we make creativity a main feature of Mind Matters. Did you have the chance to check out our incredible student art exhibition on campus during Mind Matters Week? If not, remember you can still view the artworks at any time via our digital gallery.
Submit a piece for our next art exhibition
Listening and reading stories by others has given me insight into my own, and others’, shared and diverse life experiences.
– Teresa Capetola, Deakin academic and creative writer
Now’s the time to get creative for our next exhibition as we look ahead to Mental Health Month in October. All you need to do is submit a work of art that may be inspired by or reflects on areas such as:
- your mental health and wellbeing
- a personal mental health journey
- caring for someone with a mental health issue.
Art can be such a fantastic form of therapy, either to deal with personal struggles or to share feelings of joy, love, stress and despair. We want to showcase the amazing creative talents of our community in a space that helps to destigmatise mental health and inspires positive action.
Don’t be intimidated if you don’t paint or draw – we know that creativity comes in many forms. It might be a digital piece you’ve created, a poem you’ve written, a photo you’ve taken or even a performance – we’re interested in any piece that inspires you to think about mental health, or brings comfort or hope.
Part of emotional wellbeing is being vulnerable, sensitive, and caring towards yourself, others, and your art form.
– Brendan Toohey, Deakin academic and musician
It might take you a few weeks to complete an artwork that’s deeply personal, or two minutes to snap a scene that speaks to you without you even knowing why – we want it all!
To be part of our art exhibition, all you need to do is take a photo or video of a piece of your own artwork, complete the entry form and upload your artwork on the Mind Matters Student Art Exhibition webpage. You’ll find the entry form on the page with the selection criteria and artwork specifications in the terms and conditions.
Please reach out for help if you need support or would like to talk to someone. You can access a range of services, both here at Deakin and in the community.
Banner image credit: Social Media Anxiety by Jessica Wiseman.