Through the new Creative Arts Series presented by the Department of Applied Psychology, students can be informed on important psychological matters through creative productions like film, poetry, and other art forms. I recently attended the Creative Arts Series presentation of the short film My Depression by composer and director Elizabeth Swado. Through colorful, whimsical animation and a uniquely humorous soundtrack, this film tells the story of Swado’s experiences with her own depression, including how it affected her life, work, relationships, and self-esteem. Uniquely so, Swado presents the topic of depression in a way that is not stigmatized by fear and loneliness – choosing instead to portray personal and dark experiences of suffering through quirky cinematographic means. My Depression invites viewers into, and raises awareness of, the world of mental health, without the burden that media usually brings to the topic; in other words, the film shows a new perspective on the experiences of mental health.
– Samantha Valley, APUG Senior