William Korelek was a Canadian artist who suffered from mental illness. His two most famous works, “The Maze” and “Out of the Maze,” reflect his…
Auditory hallucinations are difficult to treat. People show a wide range of response to antipsychotics. And, the medications are associated with negative side effects. Psychological…
Blue October’s “Schizophrenia” describes the symptoms and challenges a person with schizophrenia faces. Most importantly, the song points out that anyone can suffer from this…
Lora Johnson’s poem “Abuse” tells the story of an abusive relationship. The poem highlights the helplessness and self-blame that the victim often feels. People ask…
Sujith Rathnayake developed a psychotic illness after losing his family during the 2004 tsunami. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Sri Lanka where…
Michael Kimber’s visual poem tells the story of his battle with anxiety. Diagnosed at 25, Kimber explains how counseling and the support from his loved…
Darcy Easton was 11 years old when he drew “The Scream: My Life with ADHD” for his school’s art competition. He believed it explained his…
Tracy Chapman’s song “Behind the Wall” showcases the pain of living in an abusive household. Chapman depicts abuse that happens behind closed doors and how…
Some people find the sound of nails on a chalkboard or the rumbling of a snoring spouse irritating, but what if the sound of someone…
Katje Kaase’s poem “Autistic Wonder” describes the unique worldview of a person with autism. The author’s imagery helps the audience develop a picture of how…
Losing his wife to cancer, Joe LoGuirato poured his emotions into making sculptures and paintings—a tribute to Stella LoGuirato. His art depicts his memories of…
Neil Hilborn struggled with OCD for years. Now, he has decided to speak out about the disorder through poetry. He performed during the Individual Finals…
This poem by Kelly Cherry was written about her father, who was a professional musician that succumbed to Alzheimer’s Disease. The poem guides the reader…
On August 19, 2014, a YouTube video of American journalist James Foley’s beheading was released by the terrorist organization ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and…
The song ‘Brain Damage’ was partially inspired by Pink Floyd band member, Syd Barrett, who endured a mental breakdown. The song speaks about losing one’s…
After the death of her father, Australia-based artist Margarita Georgiadis used painting as way to deal with sorrow and grief. She was able to use…
“Cabrini Bridge” by Sam Gordon uses beautiful imagery to showcase the power of mindfulness and relaxation. The author’s internal struggles are juxtaposed with the calmness…
13-year-old Jennette’s (name changed by UNICEF) grandmother died from Ebola. Shortly after attending the funeral, Jennette began to feel sick. When fever developed, she was…
“I Am” was written by John Clare in 1844 while he was at the Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. Clare suffered from numerous psychological conditions, which…
Low is a Minnesota indie-rock band composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. Their music often delves into darker themes of regret, guilt, and self-destruction,…
