Edward Honaker
Twenty one-year-old photographer Edward Honaker documents his own depression in
powerful self-portraits.
The series of black and white images illustrates the photographer's experience
with depression and anxiety.
In an attempt to raise awareness of the topic,
Honaker says about the project: "Mental health disorders are such a taboo
topic. If you ever bring it up in conversation, people awkwardly get silent, or
try to tell you why it’s not a real problem. When I was in the worst parts of
depression, the most helpful thing anyone could have done was to just listen to
me - not judging, not trying to find a solution, just listen. I’m hoping that
these images will help open up conversation about mental health issues.
Everyone is or will be affected by them one way or another, and ignoring them
doesn’t make things better."
Honaker hopes his project will inspire others to not only have a
conversation about mental illness, but push them to be more accepting of those
who struggle with it.
"When I was making the portfolio, I asked
myself if I was the kind of person whom others would feel comfortable coming to
if they were going through a difficult time and needed someone to talk
to," he explained. "Truthfully, at the time, I don't think I was.
I've still got quite a ways to go, but the whole experience made me a lot more
patient and empathetic towards others."
The artist's openness is particularly important when it comes to
mental health stigma and men, given that men are more likely not to speak up if they're having thoughts of
suicide.
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