One day my phone rang at 5am and I heard someone crying on the end of the phone, who had never cried before. Something had broke and he didn’t know how to help himself. It was this moment that opened my eyes to the need to talk about mental health. Another time I saw this ad on TV; A teenage girl who had been bullied at school shut herself off and separated herself from the environment. These events made me think about what is happening to this world and how we can help each other?
Voices from afar
Did the pandemic cause the community to suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, or did the pandemic make it public? These questions bothered me. Many of us have experienced difficulties in the past months and some are still struggling with daily challenges. However, the issue of mental health is not new – it’s we are just starting to talk about it more now!
Britain Get Talking campaign
The ad I saw on TV was for a good British TV campaign, ‘Britain Get Talking’. Their philosophy is simple: just talking to another person can help reduce anxiety by looking at life from a different perspective. This campaign encourages us to communicate, to share our feelings and to listen to others. It’s unbelievable how much we can do when we open ourselves to dialogue.
The power of conversation
We often do not realize how important a conversation is, even the one conducted over the Internet. We are often just ashamed, even though there is really nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone breaks sometimes, even the strongest! That’s when it’s worth reaching out for help. Why not talk to someone you trust? Maybe this person will be able to look at our problems from a different perspective and give us the support we need.
TALK TO ME painting
Inspired by my personal experience and the “Britain Get Talking” campaign, I decided to create a painting called TALK TO ME.It shows a person in the Haute Couture style, dressed in a black dress and hat. However, one detail draws attention – a hat studded with needles, which is a symbol of mental health, anxiety and fears. The Wi-Fi signal icon is also visible in the background, symbolizing communication via the Internet. However, we should take care of security, like a closed padlock on the character’s bosom.
Symbolism and message
Talk To Me work has a deep meaning. I wanted to encourage the viewer to think about mental health and how little it takes to help yourself and others.
This image screams “TALK TO ME!!!”.
Sometimes all it takes is talking to someone who understands us. This is invaluable support that can bring relief and hope.
Technique and materials
The Talk To Me painting size is 70×50 cm and was painted on thick cardboard primed with gesso. To get the bas-relief effect, I applied modeling paste on the side of the page and the bottom of the dress. Then I used acrylic paints, creating layers and expressing my emotions. Finally, I protected the surface with Gloss UV Varnish to give the painting an elegant, slightly glossy look.
Help for mental health
The work of Talk To Me means a lot to me. Not only for personal reasons, but also because of the desire to help people who struggle with mental health and cannot cope with it. By looking at this image, I hope people will understand that sometimes all it takes is talking to someone close to you. It can be a simple conversation… Talk to me!
Talk to me - Summary
Our world is full of emotions and difficulties, but it is important that we always have someone to talk to. The ‘Britain Get Talking’ campaign has shown us that the power of conversation is invaluable. The painting “Talk To Me” is my message, with which I encourage you to take care of your mental health and support each other. Let’s open up to dialogue and create a better world for ourselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Conversation gives us the opportunity to share our emotions and problems. It helps us understand that we are not alone and that there is support around us.
During the conversation, we can look at our problems from a different perspective. Another person may be able to help us look at the situation with more hope and optimism.
In addition to traditional conversations, there are many other ways to communicate, such as telephone calls, Internet calls, writing letters or using online messengers.
Despite some differences, an online conversation can be as effective as a face-to-face conversation. It is important to find a way of communication that best suits our needs and capabilities.
Just be present and listen to their problems. Give emotional support and encourage conversation. Remember that sometimes just listening and being there for someone can be the best help.
