Combatting Stigma And Increasing Awareness On Mental Health With The Rabble Rousers
The Rabble Rousers are a group of young adults fighting for greater mental health advocacy within their communities, opening up the conversation surrounding mental health struggles. The program is based out of the Coast Mental Health Clubhouse, a Vancouer based non-profit organisation that helps provide resources to those that need mental health support. Every year, the Rabble Rousers choose a community initiative to engage with, in the hopes to combat stigmas and increase awareness surrounding everyone’s individual journey with mental health.
This year, the Rabble Rousers are partnering with artist Ariel Buxton, a self-taught multi-media artist from Vancouver currently focused on getting her Ph.D. in psychology which has led her to create murals for organizations in the mental health sector. Together they are collaborating on a mural titled Courage, composed of the word alongside various symbols of importance to the youth. The word is poignant, as Coast Mental Health hosts the annual Courage To Come Back Awards, celebrating five individuals who have overcome adversity to give back in their communities. All of the symbols chosen, from butterflies and four leaf clovers, to pine trees and feathers, all connect to a greater meaning and carry personal significance to the Rousers. We had the chance to ask the Rabble Rousers a few questions, and talk to them about the mural!
INTERVIEW WITH THE RABBLE ROUSERS
Note: these questions were answered by different anonymous voices of the Rabble Rousers.
VMF: What is the Rabble Rousers program?
Collective group answer: The Rabble Rousers is a community engagement platform within the Coast Young Adult Program that focuses on young adults having their voices heard about their experiences with mental health. Each year, the Rabble Rousers engage in a community initiative each year to increase awareness about stigma and challenges of young people and their journeys through mental health recovery.
“Courage encompasses so much of the journey of recovery. Strength, bravery, fear.”
“Public art gets people looking and everyone has a different perception. But with a word like courage – we can send a strong, clear message.”
VMF: How did you feel when you learned you would be helping to create this mural?
“Blessed.“
“I got excited.“
“Encouraged.“
“This is what I’ve always wanted to do – I can’t believe I get to be part of this group. I just fell into it.”
“The name Rabble Rousers was appealing to me.”
VMF: What does being involved with this mural project mean to you?
“To be on a team that is dedicated to a project.”
“Great opportunity to express yourself, share how you feel with others.”
“I get to be creative.”
“That I get to have some sort of personal impact on the city and on society. I get to leave my mark.”
“I get to leave my impression that symbolizes me and my mental health.”
VMF: Can you speak to what some or all of the symbols represent in the mural?
Butterfly – transformation. Symbol of beauty.
Cactus – thrive in an unpleasant environment – a desert isn’t really an ideal growing place but cactus grow there anyway. It’s brave of them to be in a desert. It shows their resilience. Even in unbearable conditions, they continue to survive.
Four leaf clover – One in a million to find. A lucky symbol. One of a kind – like each person’s experience with mental health.
For a single person to come to recovery and embrace the journey on their own shows courage.
Pine Tree – A symbol of the pacific northwest, where we live. There are so many pine trees, they are so numerous, so common. Mental health is common in all of our lives. They represent beauty. The pine tree is strong – like the strength needed to endure the journey of recovery.
Palm Tree – Representative of the ocean – the waves, the tides. Humanity is like the ocean. Each person is a wave and every one you meet, a little bit of them splashes to you and a little bit of you splashes to them. We are all in the same ocean. We are all in this together.
Feather – represents a phoenix. Rising above all adversity and challenges no matter what.
Flower – growth – like from seed to beautiful flower, needs care and attention. Needs protection.
Acorn – picked the acorn because of its ties to Druidry, the acorn comes from oak trees, which are the most central tree in druidism. Oaks can grow very tall and old do they are a symbol of wisdom and strength. And one little acorn holds the potential for a mighty oak tree. They are also symbols of good luck.
Star – symbolizes light. We are all stars!
VMF: Why has the word "COURAGE" been included as text in the mural?
“Courage encompasses so much of the journey of recovery. Strength, bravery, fear.”
“A lot of people understand what it means.”
“A lot of people who struggle with mental illness relate to that word.”
“Courage is a word that makes you feel stronger when you are feeling weak.”
VMF: What role do you feel public art can play in breaking stigma and/or spreading awareness on mental health?
“Lift people’s spirits and give them courage.”
“Public art in general makes people stop and look and think about it for themselves. If more people do that, they may begin to understand our stories.”
“Public art gets people looking and everyone has a different perception. But with a word like courage – we can send a strong, clear message.”
VMF: What do you hope people will take away with this piece when they come to see it?
“Raising awareness can help people in their own journey and their own mental health.”
“It looks way better than before!”
“People will go and live better days.”
“Inspired”
“That young people are valuable, useful and awesome!”
We’re excited to see and celebrate the finished mural with Ariel and the Rabble Rousers this coming weekend. After the unprecedented challenges from the last 18 months of the pandemic we hope this mural inspires hope and strength to have courage and ask for help if needed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call the HealthLink BC Crisis Line at 310-Mental Health (310-6789 - no need to dial an area code).
This mural was sponsored by Coast Mental Health and Mount Pleasant BIA
Continue reading about mental health-inspired murals with VMF2020 Artist Animalitoland
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Photos by Mavreen David