One Person Can Change the World
Farquhar Honors College
Teagle Foundation - Knowledge for Freedom Program
Healing Isn’t Linear: The Mental Snapshot
How can photography and story sharing help mental health?
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Inara M.
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June 29, 2023
What – In my project, I will be working with a group of friends in my robotics team, and we will work together to create a series of diverse and different stories that conquer different challenges such as childhood trauma, bullying, and other things that can cause a fault in mental health or emotions. That has the possibility too have different solutions and different outcomes, some will possibly show two sides what happens when you act and what happens when you do not, to show how either a certain activity or a lack of things can cause a discourse or a heavier impact on one's life. There will be multiple stories that only have one ending and it will be a good one. With this series of stories, we will create a library, a “Photo Library.” The idea of a photo library is a new concept to me that I came up with so it would create a more diverse representation of mental health and storytelling instead of a movie or a book.
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When – Over the course of the program year. To provide awareness and assist others in an out of the box type of way. My target audience would be between the ages of 14-25. Ranging from high school to college students who either do not feel safe talking to a person/ adult whom they do not actually know and just need a different. I can see people needing this because sometimes not communicating and seeing something different and from a wider range perspective of something you have not really seen can help the way people think.
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Where – I will do this in a variety of locations to get the right vibe, at school, home, other people's houses, and even some outside areas. It just depends on the story and who's around to get the correct vibe and setting for the story. I personally will be doing most of everything while I have people to assist me in specific aspects. As stated I am on the robotics team, members helping include, Javae R. helping with story creation, Nicola R. helping with graphic designs and layout, Alyssa C. will be helping with digital design and maybe even physical representation or products, and last but not least Jezreel S. will be helping with technical aspects as of the website, layout and any other online/coding aspects that come into play.
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Why – I am doing this not only to assist and bring a bigger awareness to mental health but also to show it in a different way and help people learn that there is not only a standard way to deal with trauma and mental health.
Public Resource List
Holmes, Leonard “How Emotional Abuse in Childhood Changes the Brain” 15 Nov. 2021 verywellmind
https://www.verywellmind.com/childhood-abuse-changes-the-brain-2330401#:~:text=Childhood%20maltreatment%20has%20also%20been,(PTSD)%2C%20and%20psychosis. Accessed June 30, 2023
​Leonard Holmes addresses examples of childhood trauma and the effects of it and how it can have a negative effect on one’s mental health. In the article it starts off with basic examples of trauma events or some building blocks of what can cause trauma and how it will affect a person. It goes into brain waves and mental/physical changes in the brain as well as visual signs that someone may have developed a trauma or a negative experience in their past. The relates to my project because it gives an insight to what can cause the trauma I am choosing to showcase and how it effects people.
Morin, Amy “Treating the Effects of Childhood Trauma” 17 Mar. 2022 verywellmind
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-effects-of-childhood-trauma-4147640
Accessed June 30, 2023
In this article, there is an overview of not only PTSD symptoms but also some of the longlisting effects and how to notice them. Looking at small things someone does and helping the person see the more significant picture so you can talk more about a person and be wary of how you act and what you say. It also includes facts about how some traumatic events can cause a disruption in physical development. It explains some specific impacts as well as proving list to help simplify information. Using this article gives a dive into how some situations can be fixed or helped as well as more of the impacts and outcomes of trauma and how we can help them.
Greenberg, Melanie “How Traumas Create Negative Patterns in Relationships” 13 Aug. 2019 psychologytoday
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201908/how-traumas-create-negative-patterns-in-relationships Accessed June 30, 2023
Melanie Greenberg starts to break down relationships and how they can affect a mind and a person's actions and preference of relationship type. By explaining the growth of trauma and how it can affect how a person picks a partner and can often choose someone who makes them feel down or less and actively engage in a toxic relationship, from either side, victim or perpetrator. Both sides can come from a toxic or unhealthy environment. From people choosing to stay in a relationship because they think they do not deserve a healthy relationship or having a negative viewpoint on people, so they choose to treat others horribly. This one shows the main connections between people, especially those in a relationship, and it can affect them.
Charles, Ashleigh and Felton, Anne. “Exploring Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Mental Health and Well-Being Using Photography” 24 Oct. 2019 https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/camh.12351 Accessed June 30, 2023
Employing photography as a creative medium for self-expression, the aim is to gain insights into the lived experiences of people facing challenges in mental health. Through the use of cameras or smartphones, participants capture images that help symbolize personal journeys, struggles, and triumphs related to mental health. Later interviews and discussions with the participants provide a deeper understanding of the photographs and allow the young individuals to share their unique narratives, shedding light on the factors that influence their mental well-being. The study aims to empower young people by giving them a voice and contributing to the development of interventions, policies, and support systems that align with their specific needs and experiences in relation to mental health. This articles helps give and improve the idea that I can use photography to improve and help mental health. It gives a deeper insight and understanding to the con
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