Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness — it’s a state of well-being.
That’s the message of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 62nd Annual Mental Health Week.
In honour of this public awareness week, Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) is hosting Awakenings, its annual spring art exhibition and sale. A reception for the gala is scheduled for May 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Bertolo’s Homemade Food, located at 93 Durham St.
The Awakenings art show is run by the Artists’ Loft at NISA, an organization run by and for consumers of mental health services.
“We develop occupational skills, nurture self-confidence and provide resources for recovery, by creating opportunities for participants to contribute to their own well-being and that of their community,” a media release from NISA stated.
“Our Artists’ Loft encourages the expression of the experience of living with mental illness and aims to educate society through the exhibition of these expressions in socially connected community settings.”
During Mental Health Week, NISA wants to draw attention to the number of people living with mental illness, and give them an outlet to express themselves.
“Mental illness affects all of us, as most of us know someone in our lives, in our communities that has been touched by mental illness,” said Shana Calixte, executive director of NISA.
“Art provides a real connection for all people. It can bring to light so many different journeys, so many recovery stories. This annual exhibition allows us to showcase the diverse and exciting work by our members and allows those in the community to experience the various perspectives of those who use the services of the mental health sector.”
NISA will also be launching two new books at Awakenings. In New Light: The many paths of identity, struggle and mental illness, a new collection of edited works from NISA’s literary magazine Open Minds Quarterly, as well as Allan Jones’ memoir, The Book of Al: The Story of a Psychiatric Survivor, Me, will be showcased.
“Dad, please don’t leave me here.”
Those were the words Allan Jones called out to his father before he was committed to the asylum at age 13.
Jones decided to publish his memoir under a pen name to be respectful to his family members, especially his daughters who are now making professional inroads through university education.
In his memoir, tape-recorded and transcribed, the Sudburian describes his life as a black sheep of society in his newly released book.
Faced with numerous traumas — psychotic episodes, delusional thinking, and the shocking suicide of his older brother — Jones, 54, still lives to tell the tale of psychiatric hospital stays, love lost, forging a career as a diesel mechanic and becoming a father. It’s a story of how a man recovers his self and his life.
“I wrote the book because one in five people suffer from mental illness in their lifetime,” Jones said. “The illnesses have such severity and are not very well understood. I believe that if we talk openly about it we can decrease the stigma.”
“I hope, someday, that children of parents who suffer from mental illness can talk about it openly and without shame.”
Local editor Dinah Laprairie worked with Jones on his memoir before publication as part of her role in The Writers’ Circle Program at Northern Initiative for Social Action.
“Allan’s voice comes through so well. It’s honest and candid, and as a reader I really appreciated that. His story was not easy to tell, and we spoke at great length about what to include and how much,” Laprairie said.
“He has met his goal, I think, in crafting a story that will show how any human is vulnerable to illness.”
The evening will feature readings from both books, with copies for sale.
Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served. The art exhibit opens for viewing and sale on May 4 until May 11. All proceeds will be used to support the artists and programs at NISA.
For more information, contact Kerrie Teahen-Charron at 705-675-9193 ext. 8206 or by email at [email protected].
