Sini
Finland
I have a lot of experience struggling with many kinds of mental health problems through the years, beginning in my childhood. I have had depression, panic attacks and anxiety from the very early years of my life. When I was a teenager I had to spend long periods in a youth psych ward because I wanted to kill myself. Life hasn't been easy, though there have always been good things too! I finally got more permanent help for my anxiety about a year ago through medication. And the biggest help and relief was the ADHD diagnosis that I got last March. It helped me to understand myself. Now when I look back at my life, ADHD explains a lot, not everything, but a lot of my battles with mental health. I am very thankful for my life and everything I've been through because, without all of it, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I've never been this anxiety-free for this long. ADHD is a part of me and I would not give it away even if I could. I have my own struggles still of course, but now I have understanding and more tools to create my own kind of life and be happy. ADHD is also a huge resource and a never-ending source of creativity. Through my own experiences, I can understand other people struggling with mental health problems and I hope to find a way to help others through my experience, music and other art forms.
The artists' stories
"The Vibrant Mind" is an art contest that celebrates artistic expression from individuals with mental health conditions. By focusing on the artists' work rather than their various diagnoses, it hopes to promote a stigma-free and inclusive environment.
That being said, the participants were given the option to share their background stories if they wished to do so.
