Love is All Around

Traditionally, mental health has always been a taboo and viewed with stigma in many countries and cultures. It was ignored by mainstream media, frowned upon by society and swept under the carpet by individuals. Such was its negative perception that anyone who seeks help or treatment for mental health related issues were seen as crazy or weak. Furthermore, in a corporate setting and a capitalist market which breeds the ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality, mental health issues were seen as a bane to one’s career progression.

Over the years however, conversations about mental health has been getting more progressive, garnering global attention, and gaining more acceptance at varying degree worldwide. Further accelerating the change is Covid-19 which has been a double edged sword for the mental health movement in that it has made it part of a new normal but at the expense of increasing numbers and severity of mental health issues, and disruption to critical mental health services worldwide.

With the lockdowns and work from home phenomena, more corporations have been increasingly recognizing and embracing the conversation by incorporating inclusive practices and initiatives for their employee wellbeing. The same applies with governments who are increasingly driving the new wave of acceptance by including mental health in their annual budgets and strategic initiatives. All these are amplified by the global media which are now regularly reporting on mental health issues and discussions on both their traditional and online platforms.

The aforementioned developments as well as today’s social climate make this year’s World Mental Health Day arguably the most relevant that it has ever been. In conjunction with this celebration which falls annually on 10 October 2021, I have created this online exhibition ‘Love Is All Around’ to raise awareness on mental health and as a form of solidarity to people who are struggling. 

The video for this exhibition acts as a form of pick-me-up and a reminder to people that love (which is personal and comes in many forms) can help us get through this extended period of difficult time. It also aims to deliver the messages that, it is okay, to not be okay, and that it is okay, to seek help. Most importantly, it is also to raise awareness that mental health support is available and accessible from many resources and non-governmental organisations such as Befrienders.