1.       Describe some perceptions and observations present in your thinking regarding your chosen topic. I tend to thin

1.       Describe some perceptions and observations present in your thinking regarding your chosen topic.

I tend to think of mental health as a deeply felt problem that nearly everyone experiences, typically leading to emotional turmoil or anxiety. I see that many times, mental health issues become a source of stigma which causes those struggling to feel lonely. These ideas come from seeing friends or family handle mental health issues and from media such as films or books that focus on emotional trouble. I have learned that mental health is a range influenced by body, environment and social factors and I also recognize conditions such as anxiety and depression through information I’ve gathered and talks on mental health stigma such as the TEDx Talks in 2017 and 2019 (TEDx Talks, 2017, 2019).

2.       Explain your own biases regarding the topic you chose for your project.

I tend to consider mental health problems as very emotional and private, probably because Sylvia Plath’s Mad Girl’s Love Song highlights a person’s inner pain. I believe people may connect mental health issues with drama or high emotion based on art like Edvard Munch’s The Scream. As a result of these assumptions, it’s easy for me to overlook issues connected to mental health that are based on one’s job or financial situation and conditions that are not always noticeable. I feel that people should feel free to talk about mental health and I think works of art can help others care and understand, but I admit my view might overstate the positive effects because of its representation.

References

Plath, S. (1953). Mad Girl’s Love Song. AllPoetry. https://allpoetry.com/Mad-Girl's-Love-Song

TEDx Talks. (2017). Rewriting the stigma of mental illness [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/p5-YwRad-rs

TEDx Talks. (2019). What they don’t tell you about mental illness [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ieXB-BGxYwg