Suicide Awareness Month
September. To some, the month is simply the end of summer bliss. To others, it’s the beginning of a new year, a fresh start. To a few, however, the month is a reminder— September is suicide awareness month.
It can be hard to be aware of something we do not personally understand. However, it’s important to try. Mental health issues have been plaguing our society— unlike other illnesses, there is no vaccine, no perfect cure, no route to wellness. Rather, we must rely on understanding.
Art in its many forms is a valuable tool able to aid in the understanding of mental health issues. In particular, the photograph by Mary Ellen Mark serves as a visual representation of the struggles people grapple with on a daily basis.
"Brenda Sitting on Her Bed, Ward 81, Oregon State Hospital, Salem", 1976, Mary Ellen Mark
In the photograph, a girl who has been institutionalized sits on her bed and makes her scars clear in the shot of the camera. She stares straight into the lens.
The background of the photograph shows a wall littered with various forms of memorabilia and even a name— Brenda. This all serves to humanize the subject. She’s not simply an example, a lesson to be learned. Rather she’s a person with interests and passions and beliefs. She’s a person just trying to figure it all out.
Some may want to look away when they see this picture. To shield themselves from the horrors they know exist but have opted to ignore. However, in honor of September, I urge you to look at the photograph. Try to put yourself in that girl’s shoes. Try to understand her pain. Try to enhance your own awareness. For her sake.