DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – The Many Faces of Mental Health fashion show took place today at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.
The owner of Focus Point Mental Health organized the runway show in an effort to end the stigma behind mental health.
“Very often people don’t want to talk about mental health. This is a way to get people to enjoy themselves, have fun, get excited about something and also give them information about mental health,” said Angela Williams, owner of Focus Point Mental Health.
The models on the show came from all walks of life.
“Some of the models in the runway show are professional models, then we have individuals who actually have mental illness,” Williams said. “Then we also have people who might want to model but were a bit shy or scared. Hence “the many faces of mental health” because not everyone looks like they have a mental diagnosis. Any given day, any one of us could have depression or anxiety or any other diagnosis.”
Many of the clothing designs depicted bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression to show the designers what mental illness can feel like at times.
“Putting on fresh clothes makes you feel better, and sometimes whatever you’re wearing, you can say what another person is feeling, so that’s what we’re here to do,” Williams said.
One of the show’s goals is to showcase mental health through fashion.
“In today’s world, many of our youth express themselves through fashion. With everything that is going on in the world, mental health is at an all time high with all the diagnoses we have. I definitely believe fashion is a quiet way of expressing how you’re feeling,” said Kelly Cunningham, creative director of the fashion show.
For Maurie Van Buren, it’s a way for her son to get out of his comfort zone.
“It’s something he’s never done before and he had the guts to do it. I’m so proud of him for that. Trying new things can be difficult for people with disabilities. So I have a feeling he thinks this is important, and so do I,” said Maurie Van Buren, fashion show attendee.
A portion of proceeds from the show went to the nonprofit Focus Point, which helps people who can’t afford therapy get the help they need.
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