Support
…and I’m Still Here Project ‘s heart is to share stories from people who have struggled with the question of why they are still here. This is a passion project I have had on my heart for a number of years. I’d like to support local agencies who can offer mental health support, a platform for other’s to share their story, and fund my art.
Local Support
This is actually a hard one for me. Mental health support is a loaded question because everyone’s situation is different from another. Not every mental health organization is reputable to recommend. There’s a lot of red tape in the mental health world, which is understandable to a degree. However, I do recommend finding professional help if you need it! One tried and true method of help is community. That’s the main source of local help I would like to set up a platform for.
If you are local mental health institution and would like to partner on this campaign, please feel free to reach out and we can have a conversation.
Platform
From my experience, just about any time I have opened up about my failed suicide attempt, other people open up. My story and your story might be the key for someone else to open up about their struggle.
Photobook | The design I have in mind is a photobook with the person’s portrait on one side of the book and their brief story on the other side—each volume to host ten people. Ideally, I want to have copies of these photobooks in places like doctors' offices, coffee shops, etc., placed in areas where people can read the stories, scan a QR code in the books, and listen to more of the stories via interviews.
The photobooks will be a significant expense because the material/medium will be high-quality, like a wedding album. Each photobook can be sponsored or purchased and can cost about $300, including materials and labor.
Interviews | I want to interview the person during the photo session. Throughout the conversation, I’ll be snapping photos for the photobook. The session will be recorded and edited for video and podcast platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
Galley Portraits | I initially want to display each person included in the volume in my studio. The portraits will have titles and QR codes to scan, leading to the video/audio platforms.
This will be another expense to consider. Each canvas print costs about $75 per print.
Please fill out the form below if you would like to inquire about supporting this project.
Please Note: I am not a licensed mental health professional. This blog provides information for awareness purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. If you are struggling or in crisis, please seek help from a qualified professional or call emergency services.