Photographer bids to open mental-health chats

Richard Walsh said boredom was a danger during recovery

A photographer hopes to use an exhibition to break down stigmas and "open up conversations about mental health".

Richard Walsh, 45, picked up a camera for the first time while he was at The Matthew Project going through recovery.

He will show a collaboration of work at the Bluey Bluey gallery in Norwich in May, highlighting how art can be used as a form of therapy during recovery.

"If you go to an exhibition that's based on mental health then everything's on the wall there - the conversation is already open," he said.

Richard Walsh bought a camera during lockdown and applied to study for a photography degree

When Mr Walsh's sister died, he decided it was time for him to get better himself, and he went to The Matthew Project.

The project works with young people and adults to overcome drug, alcohol and mental health issues and offers services to families affected by substance misuse.

It was after he joined the project and received help that he picked up a camera for the first time.

"I never had an interest in photography before... When you're in recovery I think boredom is the biggest thing to lead you back into addiction," he said.

Dealing with stigmas

After buying a camera during lockdown, he applied to study photography at Norwich University of the Arts, where he has worked with other students.

"Doing that was quite liberating. I find it hard to talk about my own personal emotions... Collaborating with the other artists, a lot of stories come out. It's not just myself... the other students use art as a therapy for themselves or to help others."

The exhibition will run at Bluey Bluey from 5 May to 8 May.

"Its trying to open conversations around mental health," Mr Walsh said.

"There are all these stigmas around it, but if you go to an exhibition that's based on mental health then everything's on the wall there - the conversation is already open."