Cary McQueen presented on using art and media to promote mental wellness and reduce stigma through prevention and early intervention. Their organization, Art With Impact, creates workshops that use short films to start discussions about mental health experiences. Participants feel increased empathy and reduced stigma after exploring how art can depict internal struggles. Evaluation found the workshops improved students' intent to seek support and created awareness of issues while normalizing experiences of mental illness.

1. Connecting Through the Arts
Reducing stigma and supporting
prevention and early intervention
through media and creativity
Cary McQueen
Art With Impact
February 17, 2017

2. Introductions
Why did
you come?
Who's
here
today?
Hi, I’m
Cary

3. Why we’re here
• Outreach office – 50 peer educators
• Students in Active Minds
• Health Promotions Department –
Intervene Video
• Creativity Group, Darkness Walks
• Outreach coordinator, Mindfulness and
expressive arts therapy group, large TV
and Film major

4. Art With Impact
Mission: To promotes mental wellness by creating
space for young people to learn and connect
through art and media.
Interactive
Workshops
OLIVE Short
Film Collection
Strategic
Collaboration

5. Where we work
96 M4MH
workshops
to date

6. Where we work

7. Key Premises
• PEI (Prevention and Early Intervention) of
mental illness results in better long-term
outcomes
• PEI support can take many forms
• Internalized stigma is a significant barrier to
support-seeking behavior

8. To Address Internalized Stigma
Our tools must:
• Allow answers to arise from within
• Be relatable
• Demonstrate range and diversity
• Make resources accessible
• Build community

9. Why art works for PEI and Stigma Reduction
Art is inquisitive, non-linear, personal
Leading by art: extends respect and
autonomy for each person to discover their
own path to wellness

10. FINE
FINE by Saida Saetgareeva
OLIVE Winner, January 2017
https://artwithimpact.org/film/f-i-n-e/

11. What did you think? What did you feel?
• That film can evoke sadness
• Color with the screaming –
lips (all else B+W)
• Shaking quality of it was
interesting – felt weak
• So easy to say “I’m fine.” The
other person can just take
that as it is.
• When it’s on a text, more
anonymous
• Scared
• Sad
• Trapped
• Heavy
• Frantic, anxiety
• Hopelessness

12. Workshop Format
Define Space Explore Ideas
Connect with
resources

13. Define

14. We asked: ‘How does stigma feel?’
• “Like you’re pushed outside a circle”
• “It’s us and them, and you’re ‘them’”
• “Makes you question if you should change yourself”
• “Looming sense of defeat everywhere you go”
• “Like you should change”
• “Fearful of being found out”
• “An invisible elephant in the room is stomping on you”
• “Like you’re about to overflow”
• “Stressful”

15. Explore

16. Explore

17. Anosognosia
Anosognosia by Leesa Kim
OLIVE Winner, January 2016
https://artwithimpact.org/film/anosognosia

18. What did you think? What did you feel?
• Very cool
• Symbolic but real
• Nonthreatening
• Uplifting
• Great film quality
• No one treated him differently
• Even though he felt trapped he
was able to partially participate
• Thinking, “Good for him for
getting out and doing things.”
• Interesting: finger traps
analogy… the more you relax,
the more they come off, vs. when
you are strained
• Interesting how people can
perceive – what is he signaling to
the girl with cookie
• Awkward
• Frustrated
• Amused
• Guilty for feeling amused
• Happy when someone
invited him in
• Relieved when
somebody said a word
• Happy that he asked for
help
• Appreciative of visually
showing an emotional
experience

19. Rinse and Repeat
Core. by Ashlen Harkness
OLIVE Winner, November2016
https://artwithimpact.org/film/core

20. What did you think? What did you feel?
• Just wanted it to stop
• Started worrying about my own
MH. Excited because this film
hits it exactly on the head.
• Chaotic. Wanted to see what was
happening, listen to the word,
noises interfere… hard to pull all
three together.
• Helpful: students can’t
understand what a panic attack
would be like
• Time expanded, like in a panic
attack
• Strong physical reaction
• Physical reaction caused
analysis / curiosity about
why
• Empathy
• Hope / encouragement
b/c person who made
this film had spent so
much time with that
feeling, could describe it
so thoroughaly

21. Connect

22. Findings
In 2015/16 academic year:
• 75% of students reported increased intent to seek support
for their well-being
• 90% of students reported that the workshop reduced
stigma related to mental illness
• 99% of students felt that the workshop created awareness
of mental health issues

23. • “The videos gave a firsthand perspective of mental illnesses
that was really powerful”
• “Very interesting, made me understand and feel less
ashamed of my mental health issues”
• “A showing of short, thought-provoking films that really put
our society and our individual differences into perspective”
• “So enjoyed watching the films which helped to normalize
often unseen issues so many of us face”
• “The films made it easier to understand people's struggles/
happiness, confusion, joy, desperation, and so on”
Student Feedback

24. Steal this workshop!
www.artwithimpact.org/films/olive
• Groups
• Individual counseling
• Peer-to-peer training
• Movie nights
• Orientation

25. Summary
• Art is one of the most effective tools we have
for discussion, reflection, awareness
• An approach using non-linear tools that
encourage personal inquiry can achieve
internal stigma reduction
• M4MH creates deep, personal experiences
for individuals in large groups

26. Questions?
cary@artwithimpact.org | www.artwithimpact.org