Exhibit
Nothing to Hide
Mental Illness in the Family
Photographs by Gigi Kaeser. Interviews by Jean J. Beard and Peggy Gillespie.
Family Diversity Projects is especially grateful to Jean J. Beard for helping to create and fund Nothing to Hide in order to help end the stigma of mental illness.
This photo-text exhibit presents photographs taken by Gigi Kaeser and interviews conducted by Jean Beard and Peggy Gillespie, with families whose lives are affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, and other brain disorders. The photos and text in this exhibit dispel harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and myths about mental illness.
Nothing to Hide gives people living with mental illness and their families an opportunity to come out of the shadows and into the public eye. These compelling accounts demonstrate strength, courage, integrity, and accomplishment in the face of adversity and stigma. In the words of one woman in the exhibit who has schizophrenia, “It is a struggle to have a mental illness and a real test of my ability to survive. All I ask is that I am understood and accepted for who I am. I am a person, not just a label.”
According to a recent report by the U. S. Surgeon General, “about one in five Americans experiences a mental disorder in the course of a year.” By bringing visibility to these individuals and their families, Nothing to Hide will help destigmatize mental illness.
“We were so pleased with the reception that Nothing to Hide got for the two weeks it was on display in our Student Center. Numerous comments from students, faculty, and staff made mention of their gratitude for having the display available, as well as their own experiences–either personally or with family and friends–with mental illness. We’re constantly looking for ways to educate our campus community about the presence of mental health concerns and the support services that are available, and Nothing to Hide served to do both of those things.”
- Eric Everson, Outreach Coordinator, Utah State University Counseling and Psychological Services
Thanks to Family Diversity Projects for the Nothing to Hide: Mental Illness in the Family exhibit… This exhibit was a great example of how we should see people who have mental illness and it helps to dispel the myths and stereotypes that the public has about people who have mental illness. This exhibit also helps to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
- Zina May, President, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mobile, AL
