Using Photography to Advance the Recovery Journey

Recovery from mental health symptoms is often a life-long journey, with Western cultures promoting psychotropic medication and psychotherapy to manage symptoms.  But can interventions using creative arts help promote awareness, provide symptom relief, and offer a platform of self-discovery, self-expression, and empowerment?  The Veteran Photo Recovery Project was designed for Veterans who experience serious mental illness symptoms to learn adaptive coping skills, share their stories of recovery, while interacting with peers, and understand how themes of hope and recovery can be symbolized using a camera.  With years of implementation, research, and documentary, this workshop will intrigue clinical providers.