View of Deconstructing Stigma, an exhibit developed by McLean Hospital and installed at Logan Airport in Boston
They are musicians and librarians, fashion designers and fitness instructors, actors, athletes and artists. They are sisters and wives, brothers and fathers from New England and around the nation.
Each has been affected by mental illness and its stigma. And now each is a part of Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life, a compelling photographic exhibit on display at Logan International Airport in Boston.
The exhibit is part of a national public awareness campaign sponsored by McLean Hospital in collaboration with Logan Airport and several mental health advocacy groups. The campaign is designed to help change the way mental illness is perceived.
Deconstructing Stigma features dramatic, larger-than-life photographs of individuals who have courageously shared their stories, each in the hope that their story will change how people with psychiatric illness are viewed.
“Shame and stigma are still far too prevalent when it comes to psychiatric disease and can contribute to the fear and isolation many people feel. Deconstructing Stigma is an unprecedented effort to spark conversation about behavioral and mental health,” said Scott Rauch, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and president and psychiatrist in chief at McLean.
The View from Within
Sean Shinnock was the first of the 40 individuals who volunteered to be part of the campaign. Shinnock had his first panic attack at age 13. By the time he was in his mid-20s, his illness was so debilitating that he was terrified to leave his living room. Finally, at age 32, he was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety. His OCD was so advanced that his doctors referred him to an intensive OCD treatment program at McLean. Shinnock stayed at McLean for three months and slowly began to learn coping skills that allow him to control his illness.
“I still struggle some days, but I am confident enough, hopeful enough, inspired enough and motivated enough to be a part of this life,” said Shinnock. Today, the 36-year-old Shinnock is a successful artist and peer mentor.
Deconstructing Stigma also features Darryl “DMC” McDaniels’ story. McDaniels is the founding member of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC. For years, he hid from the public the fact that depression and alcohol abuse were destroying his spirit and his body.
“I had everything—I was the ‘King of Rock.’ We were touring, making money, and everyone knew who we were. But I didn’t feel right,” McDaniels said. “Not a day passed that I didn’t think about suicide.”
Today, the 52-year-old McDaniels is back in the recording studio, has authored a best-selling book about his experience with mental illness and has become a vocal mental health advocate.
Blending celebrities such as DMC and comedian and actor Howie Mandel with everyday people is a key component of the campaign: Mental illness does not affect only one demographic or group. In fact, one in five people in this country will be diagnosed with a mental illness this year.
“Mental health affects everyone, whether we recognize it or not,” said Thomas Glynn, CEO of Massport. “I am proud that Massport has collaborated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and, now, with McLean on working to reduce stigma. Deconstructing Stigma is another example of how we are all working together to help our state and country make strides in this area.”
Bringing Stories Forward
Despite concerns about being labeled and risking further stigmatization, the volunteers in this project are sharing their stories. They hope that those who read their stories and view the exhibit will perhaps step away with a different perspective of what it’s like to have a mental illness.
“Each person associated with this project is determined to make a difference in the lives of other people affected by mental illness,” said Adriana Bobinchock, senior director of public affairs and communications for McLean, whose team is spearheading the campaign. “After 249 hours of photography sessions and 25,000 written words, we feel we’ve created a campaign that is meaningful and impactful, and one that has the potential to change someone’s life.”
For Jamie Lenis Shattuck , a mother of two, the experience of working on the Deconstructing Stigma campaign has already made a difference in her life.
“My participation has allowed me to fully accept myself, my struggles, my triumphs, however small, without a hint of shame anymore,” said Shattuck. “For the first time, I feel truly empowered and free. I’m not free of depression or anxiety—not wholly—but I’ve shed their damp blanket. I’m completely open to sharing with others in the hopes that my story can help in any way.”
With the initial physical installation at Logan Airport in a 235-foot gallery between Terminals B and C, and an accompanying website, the Deconstructing Stigma campaign is expected to reach more than a million people in 2017. Plans are already underway to install similar exhibits at other airports.
In addition to partnering with Logan Airport, McLean collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the International OCD Foundation, Massachusetts Association of Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the mental health advocacy group PROJECT 375.
Adapted from a McLean news release.
