Photovoice
Pictures and Narratives
This is our pictures and narratives section, which contains the 10 pictures that we best believe represent mental health services and support on campus. Feel free to take a look and read our narratives about what these pictures mean to us about mental health on campus...
This prime focus of this picture is Charger Plaza, which encompasses classroom spaces as well as CAPS. During the Fall of 2020, CAPS moved from the bottom of Sheffield Hall to Charger Plaza. When CAPS was in Sheffield Hall (a residential building), it was easier for students to access. It was on the residential side of campus, making it more accessible and convenient for students. Now that CAPS is in Charger Plaza, it is a little harder for students to get to. It is tucked away across the street and behind Bethel Hall. Students have to go down stairs, and cross a busy street to get to the building. This can be difficult for students who may have a disability that prevents them from using stairs. In addition, because Charger Plaza is in an area where students would not regularly see it, students may not be aware of where Charger Plaza is, making CAPS more inaccessible. Moving CAPS to Charger Plaza may make students think that the school does not care about mental health services.
This picture shows the Bixler- Gerber quad, a space where many clubs and organizations hold events. In addition to clubs and organizations holding there events here, the university will occasionally place yard signs throughout the quad. One sign that is noticeable in the picture says “Financial Wellness Week”, promoting the various events that will occur throughout the week. Across the quad, there is another yard sign, but you cannot tell what is on the sign. Other than these two signs (and an empty table in the middle), there is nothing in the quad. This is a prime space for CAPS, or other resources on campus to promote mental health services to students.The nearly empty quad represents not only the lack of mental health support, but reinforces the idea that mental health awareness on campus is scarce.
This picture contains a poster that reads, “Stand Up Speak Up” that is lying behind dead bushes, on the back side of the Henry C. Lee Criminal Justice building on campus. Although the poster could have easily just been blown over by the wind, it is sad to see it laying hidden for no one to see when it contains such a great message. This poster seemed to be lying there for a while as well. This seems to be a good example of a failed attempt by the University to show support for the students, as no one had cared enough to pick up the poster, or make sure it was in a populated spot on campus where more people would see it.
This picture contains a poster board that has a bunch of purple sticky notes attached to it. Each sticky note contains a thoughtful, inspiring, or loving message to the general public who may walk by it. The purpose of this is to brighten someone’s day, and let others know that there is enough love, support and compassion in this world for everyone. This poster board is located at the bottom of Gerber Hall, in the Myatt Center. This is a good example for mental health around campus, and there should be more examples like this all around campus instead of this singular one in a room on campus, that most people do not know about.
In this picture, it shows a board hung in a campus building that promotes not only self-care but community care. These are great posters to not only remind someone to focus on themselves and their health, but that they are a part of something bigger. It is a great reminder that there are people who care about you on campus and that you always have a community of support.
Around campus you can spot these sticky notes posted randomly on doors, on the mirrors inside the bathrooms, and many other places. These sticky notes were made by students in hopes to keep a smile on people’s faces and to help remind people that they are not alone. Though they are sometimes simply nothing but quotes or inspirational messages it has an impact on the students on campus.
When first looking at this picture you might just see an empty board, however, it can signify much more. This empty poster board could be filled with flyers on how to deal/cope with mental illness or the different resources around campus. Instead, it is empty with no information. Unfortunately, this is a common theme across campus. Though other boards around campus have flyers regarding different events or resources, there is a limited supply of flyers on information concerning mental health. This further supports the idea that the importance of mental health awareness and support on the campus is insufficient.
This picture contains Robert holding his face in his hands sitting alone on a bench on a gloomy day. This is used to portray a lonely college student dealing with his/her own struggles by themselves without seeking help. This should be used to show that no one should ever have to fight battles on their own, and that it is ok to speak up when dealing with these situations.
This picture displays a sticky note providing a helpful statement that taking care of yourself should not be seen as a selfish act. This is a good way to remind students around campus to take a break for themselves and that they should prioritize themselves.
This picture showcases a sign promoting the Trevor Project, which is a project promoting the suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.