The ‘A~Z of Mental Health’ was created by Art Safari Highland participants (2021-22), alongside mental health advocates, artists and writers. It debuted (in physical form) at the Highland Folk Museum during May 2022 as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival:
Festival Website
It also forms part of an Artists Bookwork.
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A
“ART is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colours flowers, so does art colour life.”
― John Lubbock
Artist: Anne Bridgen
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B
BELIEVE in yourself.
Blow the cobwebs of self-doubt from your mind.
Artist: Jill Warner
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C
C is for CAT…whose purr calms me & brings me comfort.
Artist: Lynn Owens
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Did you know… that interacting with animals can decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support AND boost your mood?
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D
Don’t rely on anyone else for your own happiness and self-worth. Be your own person and find your own happiness.
Artist: Claire Macleod
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E
E is for EMOTIONS that take you by surprise. Whether joyful or painful, take time to breathe, to grieve, and trust that this too shall pass
Artist: Amanda G.
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F
Focus on the good.
Artist: Claire Macleod
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G
GRIEF is not a sign of weakness, it’s a natural progression and a Rite of Passage. Positive grief tells us how much we’ve loved the people, places and memories that matter to us.
Artist: Jackie Ashworth
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H
H is for my HAPPY PLACE. When I feel sad I look to the high-hills and there I am in my happy place once again. Where it yours?’
Artist: Karen
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I
I is for Interests. Having interests outside of work & family commitments helps to increase our overall resilience. People who participate in hobbies experience less periods of stress, low mood, and depression.
Artist: Anon
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J
J is for Joy and delight in small things.
Artist: Elizabeth Willow
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K
K is for keeping fit.
Artist: I.M.
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Did you know… Physical activity can be truly transformative for both mind and body by increasing self esteem, reducing stress and improving mental alertness.
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L
L is for LABELS - Sometimes they’re useful, they sign-post people to help & services but sometimes they’re challenging and somewhat blunt. Trauma informed approaches shift the conversation from ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’
Holistic approaches also see the whole person, with mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and relational lives that exist within a social + cultural context.
Artist: Robyn Woolston
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M
M is for MEANDER.
Allowing your mind the space to linger, consider and reflect.
Artist: Katt Scott
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N
N is for NATURE…for me it’s a source of solace, adventure & peace - a constant companion no matter what mood i’m in.
Artist: Lynn Owens
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Q: How can nature benefit my mental health?
‘We all have different experiences of nature, and different reasons for wanting to connect with it more. You might find you get something completely different from one activity compared to someone else.’
© Mind. This information is published in full at mind.org.uk
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O
O is for OVERWHELM.
The climate is changing fast... each day we hear stories of rising sea levels, species decline and a warming planet. Plastic pollution reaches into the deepest oceans, the highest mountains and has even been found in the placentas of unborn babies. All of these truths (and more) can lead to a state of helplessness, more recently named 'Climate Anxiety' or 'Eco Grief'. The facts are overwhelming, but there are things we can do:
Commit to 'change-making' behaviour, engage in responsible consumption, car-share where possible, lobby your mp, vote, learn how others are understanding/integrating/harnessing their feelings & responses into meaningful action. Seek out a 'climate-aware' therapist, join a charity or eco-action group, plant seeds/save seeds/swap seeds.
Artist: Robyn Woolston
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P
PEACE - Find peace in yourself and who you are. Know who helps your mental health and stay in touch.
Artist: Mhairi Gallagher
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Q
Q is for Quiet - Take 2 minutes out of your day to listen to the sound of your breathing. Taking time each day to meditate can increase a sense of calm, peace and balance.
Artist: Anon
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R
R is for RECOVERY…and the realisation that it’s a journey not a destination. It has many layers: physical, mental, emotional…and, as with life, it can be complicated. Be gentle with yourself and your expectations. All will be, and is, well.
Artist: Pippa Hadley
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S
S is for Suicide prevention and all the quiet conversations and the kind encounters with strangers that you never realised helped to keep someone alive (going).
Contributor: Angela Samata
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T
T is for TRAVEL… it broadens the mind, enriches the soul and increases your confidence. You can travel to far-flung destination or take a trip to a local park.
Artist: L.W.
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U
U is for UNITED. Building bridges, making friends and meeting new people creates stronger communities and increase self confidence.
Artist: Tracey B.
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V
V is for Valuing ourselves and how special we are.
Artist: Elizabeth Willow
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W
W is for MAKING WAVES. Change can be frightening but also liberating. If you feel a little ‘stuck’ then why not start a new hobby, learn a language or perhaps take up Art?
Artist: Tony Harris
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X
X is for ‘X Marks the Spot’ - Draw a map, starting where you are, that contains the people/places/animals/objects that are important to you. Take a moment to reflect on how far you've come.
(...you can also think about adding all the things you'd like to work towards in the future, thereby creating a vision-board.)
Artist: Robyn Woolston
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Y
“You are the goal. You don’t have to continually improve yourself to love yourself. Love is not something you deserve only if you reach a goal. The world is one of pressure but don’t let it squeeze your self-compassion. You were born worthy of love and you remain worthy of love. Be kind to yourself.”
Quote: Matt Haig
Artist: Tony Harris
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Z
Z is for ‘Zooming-In’ on the things that matter each day. Concentrating on things we are grateful for increases our sense of wellbeing.
Artist: Robyn Woolston
