One Cochranite is trying to end the stigma around mental illness by asking people to wear their diagnoses on their sleeves … or on the front of a T-shirt to be more precise.
Eli Johnsen, 20, from Cochrane, has been battling mental illnesses since 2010 when he was first diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety.
“There is a giant stigma behind mental illness – you can talk about having cancer but you can’t talk about having mental illness,” Johnsen explained over coffee.
“I want people to wear (their mental health issues) – you shouldn’t have to hide something that is so big about you.”
Already an advocate for mental health issues, Johnsen started brainstorming last October about how he can help more when he was inspired in the early morning hours.
“It was 4 a.m. and I couldn’t sleep, I wanted to do something to play my part in giving back to mental health and wanted to help end the stigma – I started painting,” Johnsen reflected.
The 20-year-old took to writing all of his diagnoses on the front of a black T-shirt, reading PTSD, OCD, Schitzo, ADHD.
“I’m always advocating and I’ve always been very open. I always offered people who are in distress support, to let them know they are not alone … I don’t want people to experience what I’ve experienced,” Johnsen said.
“I want people to be proud and not feel like you have to hide – we all share one thing, we are all human.”
Since creating his own shirt, the artist said he is receiving interest from other Cochranites, inspiring Johnsen to sell the apparel with all proceeds to go to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“None of the T-shirts will be perfect because mental health is not simple,” Johnsen said.
“My main goal is if one person talks to me, just to know one person took something meaningful and having that person no longer feel stigmatized … no one should worry about stigma or bashing or being bullied.”
For more information on purchasing a T-shirt, long-sleeve shirt or hoodie, contact Eli Johnsen at [email protected].
