Many people ask me where I was between April 27th and the following Monday of this year. It’s hard to sit there, and explain to people what you did, why you’re covered in bruises, without feeling like you could curl up and burn up red out of embarrassment.
The morning of April 27th I attempted to take my life.
But, the important part of this article is understanding the mental pressures, struggles, and harshly misunderstood artists. Analysis of data proves that artists have a 270% higher chance of attempting to commit suicide than a non-artist, according to the National Library of Medicine. It is said that artists focus and become dependent on the anti-social practice of creating art, which can lead to intense burn-out and thoughts on suicide.
For my English class, I’m working on a project on the struggles of suicide. For the portion of the project that revolves around creativity, I decided to not only create this portfolio, as my own timeline, but create timelines of other artists who completed what I could not. Linked below will be the presentation, as well as some screenshots from the project when finished.
Those who create art, especially that are laced with meaning and intense emotions, may be struggling.
Reach out. Check on those you love.
– Vee Devendorf