What is the Hidden Faces project? It’s a daring body painting and photography project to visualize the deeply personal, internal torment that is experienced with mental illness.

We are looking for sponsors to help with the next phase of the project…

(Scroll down to see how you can help with this daring and exciting project.)

“A smile can coverup more than makeup can.” This is something I say often when I speak about mental health. A smile can hide so many confused feelings…and even pain. It’s the mask that nearly all of us who struggle with mental illness wear on a daily basis to conform to the expectations of society, while guarding ourselves from judgement and shame.  I got so good at wearing my “mask” that, when I finally began revealing my true self and my true battle of depression and daily anxiety that were hidden behind my smile, nearly every response I received was “I had no idea!”. Since founding the charity, ‘Here’s Your Reminder Project’, I have spoken to many people, both directly and indirectly, affected by mental illness. I found that I’m not alone in this. I also learned that even though there are similarities in the symptoms for mental illness, each person experiences them differently. 

I am often asked, “What does your anxiety feel like?”…”What does depression really feel like?”…”How can I support my loved one, when I don’t know what they are feeling?” I try my best to describe the intense, soul consuming symptoms that are experienced when I’m triggered. For a while, I have wanted to find a better way to help others understand these feelings and to grasp what their loved ones are going through. And I also wanted to help those that struggle, know that they aren’t alone. This project is to visualize the unseen. I want to expose the hidden face of mental health challenges in an effort to spread awareness, get people talking and allow those who have suffered in silence for so long to embrace their pain and take back control on their terms.” -Susie Price, Founder of Here’s Your Reminder Project and mental health advocate

The plan: We are teaming up with talented, local artists to create a visual representation of “What does my struggle feel like”.  This will be done through body painting and projected images. We will use real life people, who struggle with all forms of mental illness, to show what they feel inside when the symptoms are at full blast. The real life struggles of our “models” will be turned into a visual story on their body, revealing their hidden face. We are then going to photograph these artistic examples to build a daring, thought-provoking gallery show.

Sponsor: You can help make a difference by sponsoring the Hidden Faces Project with monetary or other in-kind donations. We are searching for businesses and individuals that would like to sponsor a model’s pictures or just make a general donation. Please complete the form and submit your interest. You will be contacted to discuss details and answer any questions.

Please help us expose the hidden faces of mental health challenges.

Together, we can start the awkward conversations that lead to understanding, support and healing.