Eye-Opening Illustrations Shine a Light on Hidden Signs of Mental Health Struggles

Mental Health Art

Destiny Blue uses her creative talents to support those—including herself—who might be struggling with their mental health. “I'm an artist who deals with her demons through drawing,” she explains, “and I've written openly online about my experiences with mental illness.” In powerful images, she confronts feelings of self doubt, worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. Each piece of mental health art reveals a bit more about her inspiring story, which is shared on her award-winning DeviantArt account.

Full of color, Destiny’s digital figurative work uses symbols and wordplay to convey her mental state. In one of her most affecting drawings, she has a side-by-side image of the same scene—but with slightly different viewpoints. In the left panel, a character writes “I’m Ok” on one side of wall. The right rectangle, however, reveals how she’s really feeling by showing that “I’m Ok” is actually “I’m not Okay” when viewed from an alternative angle.

The powerful message of the two-panel piece was recognized by the DeviantArt community. Destiny’s response to the accolade, while grateful, is a reminder that caring for your mental health is an ongoing process. “It comes at a rather poignant time…” she writes. “A week ago I was taken to hospital, after a bad (and quite scary) mental health episode, and had to stay in a psychiatric ward for a few days.” Continuing, “It's a rough time right now, but I'll get through it. I know I'm not alone. Thanks for all your support.”

Since posting that message, Destiny's experience inspired her to train and run the London marathon while raising funds for Mind—The Mental Health Charity.

Destiny Blue creates mental health art that details her own struggles.

Art Therapy

Mental Health Art

Destigmatize Mental Health

Destigmatize Mental Health

Art Therapy

Using word play, she depicts feelings of depression and thoughts of suicide.

Art Therapy

Depression Art

Mental Health Art

Destiny's openness and honesty provides a lifeline to those struggling with the same issues.

Depression Art

Destiny Blue: DeviantArt | Facebook | Instagram

All images via Destiny Blue.

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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