This painting represents the triumph of the lotus flower as it must grow through darkness, from the muddy depths, toward the light above. It is a flower symbolizing peace and beauty, but it adds great meaning to what it takes to keep going no matter how hard our mental health can challenge us. No mud, no lotus… our darkness helps to better define the light. If it seems there is no hope, think of the lotus.

This is my poem that I penned from the many parts that I experience during my stressful situational moments. I then presented it during a Poetry Palooza College Event in April and I was then asked by a therapist if it could be posted within his office. It gives voice to the parts of a person not always heard or seen.

I have schizophrenia. At the time when I made this wood engraving print I was unmedicated. The birds represent the auditory hallucinations that were making me miserable.

I did this series on living life with bipolar. It’s some good and some bad but it all comes down to embracing the highs and lows. I use a orangeish red color that represents the color of the Starbucks refreshers that often bring about episodes when I over do it.

The green is a representation of the color of mental health awareness. Every mind is a galaxy, mental health is different for everyone, embracing yourself, be there for yourself, protect yourself and your mind, and always keep your mind open for treatment. All of that inspired me to create this piece, also that myself go through life with mental disorders that haven't stop me to keep creating my art as a part of my therapy. Art is an amazing tool for mental health.

Last year, I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) due to many overwhelming stressors in my life. It caused a lot of debilitating tics, tremors, and twitches. This was a catalyst to my put my job as an in-person school nurse, pause my modeling and pageantry gigs, and put mental, physical, and emotional health first. I moved to the sunshine state, and now do what I love by working as a remote school RN while also starting my small art business and personal brand GothMilkMarket! While I've improved vastly, I choose to take it one day at a time. Life is not smooth and is unexpected, twitches still come and go, but taking a pause and figuring out what's best is what's needed before pressing play. I'm doing what ful-fills me (pun intended), and I hope others do the same. Stay patient, and trust that God and the Universe has something wonderful in store for you.

The struggle of PTSD from sexual abuse

It represents yourself. Healing yourself through all the pain and trauma.

I wrote this poem while struggling with insomnia, social media addiction, schizo-affective disorder, and mania. I hope people who are having similar symptoms can feel less alone when reading my poem.

A few years ago, my aunts dog suddenly passed away. The morning after we went to the vet to say goodbye, as we arrived at the vet there was the most beautiful sunrise. I took that as a sign that she was telling us she was okay. Since that fateful morning, our family has held on to that idea. In September 2023, I went through a very dark depressive episode and planned to end my life. Thankfully, my support system stepped in, and I was able to refocus that energy on art. I always loved to paint but never really put much effort into it. I started watching videos online and learned some basic skills. In November, I lost my grandmother who was the most important woman in my life, to cancer. On that same day hours later, my husband lost his grandfather. Fast forward to February and we had to make the decision to put our dog down. Over the next few weeks, my husband and I both had to have unplanned surgery. I have lost a lot and have felt very lost over the last 9 months, but through every sunrise and sunset I have found inspiration to keep going and keep finding healthy ways to express my feelings. I am still a work in progress, but thanks to painting, therapy, and my support system, I am becoming a little less lost.

This piece is all about looking at your triggers and finding out how to deal with them and move past them. When your thoughts get loud, you have to find a way to get rid of them so they don't bleed into your outside world.

This piece represents my battle with schizoaffective disorder. When I painted it I was really dealing with some major hallucinations and anxiety. This painting reflects what I go through on a regular basis but I always overcome the symptoms.

I wrote this about rational me having to fight irrational/depressed me. Needing to be stronger than the struggle.

I've always struggled with mental health, and with that came a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms. My worst is Alcohol. This piece is about staring into the void, on the edge, with nothing but the past to haunt you as the void stares back.

I've always been drawn to surrealism and have recently enjoyed experimenting with color. Personally, I have been diagnosed with Major Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar and PTSD. In my experience, people tend to only remember the breakdowns and disregard the beauty mental illness has to offer. Each case is unique but obviously there are aspects that are also very similar. Some of my closest relationships have been with others who also have mental illness. The smudge stick is to depict cleansing and renewal, while the spider is a reminder that not everyone has your best interest at heart. The eyes and even the title pays homage to the feeling of needing to be perfect, just as a flower girl in a wedding would need to be.

This piece I drew when I was battling in my mind the inner critic. I was letting the inner critic determine my steps and places I went in life, unaware of the mental health battle I had within. I have since gotten help and although the inner critic can come alive from time to time I rejoice over battles I have won over her.

I’ve struggled with mental health for awhile quietly and alone. I sought help and with therapy and medication I am controlling my demons.

I myself have mental health problems. I have anxiety, PTSD, seasonal depression and some mood disorders. It makes life a little harder but I refuse to give up. I have a therapist and take meds to manage them all. This poem is just about what it’s like at times with surviving traumatic experiences and I hope it will help someone to let them know they are not alone in this journey.

The artwork is the portrayal of my time as nursing student where I struggled with depression and the anxiety of school and future career as a nurse. I questioned if I was good enough and if this career was meant for me. This painting marked the moment I stopped asking what if and went for my degree in art education.

I wrote a poem last week pertaining to a health scare I had recently. I was severely bullied as a child and used my art and writing as a form of escapism to help heal on an emotional level. However, after going to my Doctor for my yearly blood work he discovered an abnormal result and said to me that I tested positive for Lupus. My heart sank upon hearing that and then he informed me that sometimes this can be a false positive and that I need to come back and retest. I cleaned up my diet and amped up my exercise even more to fight off this potential disease I may have. I go back to retest and get a phone call with the best news of all...."You do not have Lupus." I was so relieved and felt the weight of the world lift off of my shoulders. It inspired me to write this piece "Your Health is Your Wealth" to show how we need to treasure both our physical and mental health and never take it for granted because life is a gift that is why today is called the present. In order to be a complete person we need to be healed both mentally and physically to live our best life. May you all be healthy and blessed.

This represents the depression that comes in the form of stormy days – where it felt like dark shadows were all around me when everyone else could smile.