As aforementioned in a previously written article of mine, my major follows Clark University's mission statement (which is, Challenge Convention. Change Our World. ) to a tee. Meaning, we not only take our school’s mission statement very seriously, but we also reflect the notion of 'change' in our subsequent actions (which can be seen as a direct result of the message's ideation encouraging impactful change). MCA (Media, Culture, Arts) majors ultimately want to make changes that positively impact the world. Hopefully, this project (the Lotus Flower Project) can be mine.

Let’s get personal… I do not suffer from any apparent physical condition such as diabetes or asthma. Instead, I have dealt with mental illness my entire life. OCD, panic attacks, depersonalization, anxiety, and depression are equally burdensome in their own right ( just as visibly recognizable ailments such as a broken arm or leg are). However, just because it is not an illness detectable by the naked eye, does not invalidate it as an 'illness'. In fact, everything psychological is biological; meaning, there are factors occurring on a physical level (such as disruptions in brain chemistry due to heredity, head trauma, or whatever else the case may be). Think of it this way, you cannot see a person's cancer, yet it is still regarded with the appropriate level of gravity it deserves as a potentially lethal disease (and it is not dismissed as a figment of the patient's imagination). Mental illnesses should be validated in the same way because they can be just as detrimental.

To clarify for those who may believe this is stereotype to be the case, but I did not reference my personal struggles with mental health earlier in this article as a means of gaining sympathy (a common misconception). Rather, I would like to let people going through similar issues know that I understand (to an extent) what they are going through. I want them to know that it DOES get better (obviously, it is a gradual process). Yet overall, it is important to note that our negatives emotions have a capricious tendency. Meaning, they are eventually subjected to change and with proper treatment, they can drastically dissipate.

So, what is my idea? Well, initially I wanted to create an online space where people can connect with one another regarding mental health in tandem with music. Moreover, I wanted this organization to be based on the powerful way in which music can serve as a coping mechanism. For me, music has helped me through so much and has always served as a 'light at the end of a dark tunnel' so to speak. However, as true as this may be for myself, not everyone can relate. People cope in a myriad of ways. They can draw, paint, or, sculpt. They can write a novel or a screenplay for a film. They can write a poignant poem and so on. This realization dawned on me during my Voice and Diction Class one day when one of my classmates read one of his many poems.

In my class, several peers of mine have amazed me with their words. All of their works pertained to this very topic of mental health and illness (as well as factors that can affect or influence it). I will spare the details because I do not have written copies of these works, but in hearing them I had an idea. I (as well as my peers) want a place to read them! An online space where everyone can share similar works, including myself. Moreover, it could also be a place in which generic tips or messages of self-care could be shared. I truly believe it is time we initiate a conversation on the importance of mental health and that this could be the perfect opportunity to do so. Overall, the goal is to empower people to be their authentic, creative selves and for them to discover artistic ways in which they can cope with their mental illness. Furthermore, I also want to create a sense of unity among this online community of artists who all relate on a rudimentary level.

As a symbol, the lotus flower carries a set of empowering connotations such as ‘resilience’ and ‘hope’ (despite the adversities one may face). It is a symbol that serves to remind us that we may start out in the mud, but one day we will blossom into the beautiful flower we were meant to be. I understand that spreading awareness so to speak can be helpful because it can initiate dialogue. However, I would like to take this project one step further and create events that allow people to come together in real life, beyond the digital realm. Thus, the other part of my idea is that I ideally would love to organize events (pertaining to mental health and the arts) on campus at Clark. For instance, I would like to hold concerts, poetry slams, art galleries, screenings, and, etc. - each of which would advocate on behalf of mental health as a cause. I’m not quite sure what that organization would be (because I would need to research it more), yet I believe that the idea of supporting an organization in itself (with the money from each event) would be a good starting point. Together, the Clark Community can initiate dialogue and engage in community based events that legitimize mental illness for what it is - an illness.