In the past few years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health seems to be less taboo than ever before. We are more likely to speak about our struggles to our friends and peers. A trend I have noticed recently aesthetically pleasing designs featuring on-the-nose messages about mental health struggles. In particular, Etsy has hundreds of designs to license for use on clothing, mugs, stickers and various other gifts. These items, though kitsch, break down the barriers we face when addressing our mental health. The irony of a pretty, colourful, almost child-like design conveying such a heavy message.
For example, I was on the school run a few weeks ago when I saw a fellow mother wearing a T-Shirt featuring one of these messages.
It made me laugh, but also made me think. As a mum, you worry on the school run about being judged, by teachers and other parents, for running late or being scruffy, worrying that they will think less of you. This mum however, broke those societal expectations by saying 'Yeah, I've not got it all together but I'm trying.' - It is symbolic of a fuck you, but also a community spirit of showing other mums you don't have to have it all figured out. She allowed me to take a picture.
These are some other examples I found whilst searching 'Mental Health Funny' on Etsy.
These designs relate to my work in that they discuss deep and dark subject matter, but are under the guise of pretty colours and sickly sweet designs to make the message more accessible and light hearted. Some may think it in poor taste to discuss mental health in such a fashion, but I personally find it easier to discuss ANYTHING when there is humour involved. Humour allows us to take the weight out of such heavy feelings.
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