A Bitter Pill
Barbara Piedra, Pavandeep Singh
This work presents a male weeping medications based on the group’s research into current resources and pressures around mental health in general and the shocking statistics of young male suicide. The potential negative impact of three months waiting time on average for first consultation/phone-call and invisibility of this disease was explored in the group’s preparatory research before settling on this individualized portrayal.
I found this work especially relevant to the current climate of today’s society. Currently in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic the population is experiencing exacerbated feelings of isolation and uncertainty. Helplines are flooded with calls from fathers and sons highlighting fears of losing their jobs, not being able to provide for their families and worries of homelessness. I think it is so important to put emphasis on promoting men’s mental health, especially considering recent statistics showing that three quarters of people who take their own life are male. Light should be shed on the ‘invisibility of this disease’ to show those who are vulnerable that they are not alone.
I was drawn to this piece because of the subtext that popping pills isn’t the answer. Instead a more holistic approach should be adopted, especially when considering a patients mental health. The dark palette serves as a visual representation of the man’s ‘dark’ mental state and is clearly tied in with the group’s research into young male suicide rates and their psychological well-being.
very emotive portrait, especially relevant in these times with an increase in mental health issues partially due to lockdown restrictions.
This piece spoke to me as I have always found the subject of men’s mental health to be often overlooked which is becoming increasingly prevalent in the media recently through the newfound interest of the effects on the mental health of professional footballers. For me the depiction of the pills as tears details how easy it can be to dismiss drops in mental health with ‘just pills/medication’ when in reality further help and support is needed to prevent and reduce the alarming statistics on the suicide rates of men. My interpretation is that it highlights the need for more support for men who struggle to maintain their mental health and how there needs to be more awareness on what these struggles with mental health might include so that they can adapt their care to give them the best level of support.
This piece of artwork caught my eye and seemed particularly relevant especially in a time where mental health is become less taboo but still not fully appreciated. This artwork emphasises the mental health of men and the use of the dark, few colours can be representative of how depression acts, narrowing ones ability to see beyond the sadness and the light at the end of the tunnel. Many who are depressed feel like suicide is the answer and the pills coming from the mans eyes show how this is a thought that is playing on his mind, flowing out as it is so overwhelming.
I was drawn to this piece because it is a very current issue as at the moment it is Movember, mens mental health month. I think the pills as tears really represents the struggle people can have with depression. There is medication that can help with depression but I think this piece is depicting that a lot of the time it doesn’t and it leaves lots of people suffering. I think it is also very relevant with lockdown causing a huge decrease in the nations overall mental health causing many more people to feel like the man represented in the picture.
This piece seemed particularly relevant to me, as Movember for men’s mental health has just started. The black and white colour palette across the entire canvas could represent depression and how it can take over someone’s entire life. I thought the pills representing tears from the man’s eyes was particularly humbling, potentially describing the destructive cycle of dismissing deep rooted mental health problems with medication. This piece, to me, highlighted how difficult it can be for men to talk about problems with mental health and how important it is to increase awareness and support.
I find this a highly emotional piece. The imagery it portrays is apparent to me in that it suggests that taking pills isn’t the answer to every problem. The tears suggest instead a mental health issue that can’t be resolved with medication however it’s the only treatment this man seems to be receiving. with medication, more often than not, people will let out the excess of it if they’ve taken a lot. In this particular piece, the pills are streaming out of this man’s eyes connoting an excess of medication being taken but none of it truly is helpful. This can all be linked back to men’s mental health and the repercussions it candidly has on someone.
I was drawn to this piece as it is particularly relevant during Movember, the absence of colour emphasises the reality of depression and how it can withdraw life from people during dark times. The use of pills as tears is particularly moving, medication is not the answer to depression and mental health problems cannot be easily patched up with pills. This artwork emphasises the difficulties men face when taking about mental health anmd how more support needs to made available to reduce the shocking statistics on male suicide.
I was drawn to this piece given its theme of mental health in young men and my own experiences with this issue. Mental health services are underfunded and it’s easier, quicker, and cheaper for the NHS to throw pills at an issue that requires serious conversation and dialogue not just within the context of a patient-doctor interactions but society as a whole.
I find this piece incredibly meaningful as it represents a very topical issue in a completely unique way. It creates a very vivid and emotional image, which makes it so much more meaningful than words can describe. The white pills stand out over and above the rest of the darker image. Perhaps the colour choice shows an attempted change in mood, which failed to work. I think this portrays the current efforts of men’s mental health and that in some cases are having little effect.
I found this really interesting as it highlights the huge issue in men’s mental health and how it isn’t spoken about enough due to preconceived ideas about masculinity. It is interesting that the man in the portrait is crying tablets as often that is the first line of defence even if alternative treatments are more appropriate again highlighting the lengthy waits for support with mental health.
The image really displays the hidden issue of stoicism and pre-conceived ideas about masculinity in todays society: the common idea of keeping a straight face and hiding your issues is a big issue and although a lot has been done for mental health support with so many mental health services, the issue of not accessing them because of these ideas has made men mental health such a huge issue, and when they are no longer able to keep it in it often leads to suicidal thoughts which is shown in this picture through the pills falling from his eyes: as soon as the veil of stoicism is broken, a lot of men reach the conclusion of suicide which is a major issue before anyone can see they need help and can act on it. I think it really helps to portray the idea that men often don’t try to ask for support when it comes to mental health and usually when others can identify they need help, it is already too late.