A GLASGOW art exhibition will tell stories to help break down the stigma that people struggling with their mental health feel about

themselves.

The exhibit will feature photography, painting and sculptures from a number of artists, aiming to change the way people think about mental illness.

Sean McGugan, who volunteers with mental health organisation See Me, is putting on the All, Entire, Whole event as part of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.

Post-grad student Sean, from Anniesland, believes art is one of the best ways of overcoming this stigma.

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The 29-year-old said: “Art gives us new literacies to communicate and tell stories that we may find too difficult to tell verbally.

“I think the most difficult stigma to overcome is self-stigma and self-realisation, but art can create a connection to something that breaks this down and gives us an opportunity to tell difficult stories. It empowers.

“The exhibition aims to enable visitors to understand themselves and others.

“The artists involved have a range of lived experiences with mental health and just hearing their stories, with their work, has been a really positive experience for me.

“That’s why I’m excited that some of the artists have agreed to be present during the exhibition in order to start conversations with our visitors.”

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The exhibition will run from May 22 at the New Glasgow Society, featuring artists Sekai Machache, Andrew Henderson, Lesley Antrobus, Siobhan McLaughlin, Martha Ritchie and Jamie Lee Love.

Research released by See Me earlier this year found that only 42 per cent of people in Scotland feel comfortable speaking to their friends and family about mental health and a quarter of Scots don’t feel they could speak to those closest to them if they experienced a mental health problem.

Toni Groundwater, See Me social movement manager, said: “Creative work like All, Entire, Whole helps to tackle stigma by opening mental health up to a new audience.

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“Speaking about your own mental health can be incredibly difficult. The arts are important in enabling people to express themselves and share their experiences, in a way that works for

them.

“SMHAF inspires and empowers people to use their skills to challenge the stigma around mental health.”

Read more at https://www.mhfestival.com/events/glasgow/430-all-entire-whole.