#wearenorthern #northernhealth

The Northern Health Community Mental Health Art Exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience and lived experiences of consumers and family/carers accessing Mental Health Services. Originally established by the Hume Community Mental Health team, the exhibition has now expanded to become a division-wide event, led by consumer peer support workers Rebecca Theodore, Hume & Craigieburn Community Mental Health Teams and Chris Vitas, Merri Bek Community Mental Health Team/Broadmeadows CCU & PARC.

Consumers and their family/carers were invited to submit artworks created with the theme of ‘Nature’, with the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a public exhibition on July 6. With around 20 submissions judges had a hard time choosing the winners, but to be honest just being able to participate was prize enough.

Emily Miranda, Adult Community-Based Group Program Coordinator (Mental Health Division) said “It’s the first time we’ve run an exhibition like this.  It’s really special to get to share this work so widely with our community.

The exhibition provided consumers with an opportunity to express themselves, build confidence, and have their voices heard through creative work. Having artwork displayed publicly can foster a sense of pride, accomplishment and belonging, supporting recovery and wellbeing.

For staff, the exhibition offers a deeper understanding of consumers beyond their diagnoses, strengthening person-centred care and highlighting recovery-focused practice. It also creates opportunities for meaningful conversations between consumers, carers, staff and the community

The exhibition highlighted the therapeutic value of art while recognising the talents and achievements of the people we support.

Featured image – Artworks submitted for the exhibition 

Inset 1 – (L-R) Rebecca Theodore, Chris Vitas, Julie (consumer with her art), Emily Miranda

Inset 2 – Blurb written by the artist for their piece ‘Go Outside’

inset 3 – Consumers and Perr Support Workers Rebecca Theodore and Chris Vitas who both led the event.