Deconstructing Stigma Project
I was approached by Adriana Bobinchock, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at McLean Hospital (one of our favorite clients), with an interesting project. She wanted to come up with an awareness campaign to illustrate the fact that one in five Americans will experience mental health issues in his or her lifetime. She asked me if I’d be interested in working with her team to photograph the participants to illustrate their stories, and so Deconstructing Stigma began.
Working through McLean Hospital and with the help of Project Manager Gerry Dawson, Creative Steve Close, Project Director Scott O’Brien, and Writer Rhonda Mann, I was put in touch with some of the most amazing people I have had the privilege to photograph. These were honest, brave individuals willing to share their stories to show others that they are not alone in their struggles with mental health. We spent thirty days photographing more than forty individuals, both locally and around the country. Their images and stories recently went up on display at Logan Airport in an installation that spans 235’ by 8’. Initial reaction has been great; the story was picked up by the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and numerous papers across the country.
Deconstructing Stigma may be one of the most rewarding projects that I’ve been involved with for quite some time. Although it’s photo driven, its true strength resides in its individuality. The project gives people from different backgrounds and circumstances the opportunity to share their single story for the collective good of so many. To learn more about this incredible project, please visit deconstructingstigma.org.