Seeing the Mind

A Photo Essay on Teen Mental Health
By Mia Angioletti


"My ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) looks like ants crawling around in my brain."- Age 11

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 teens aged 13-18 deal with a severe mental illness at some point within their life. Suicide is also the third cause for death of teens aged 10-14 and the second leading cause for aged 15-24. Many of these numbers can be linked back to the stigma and lack of treatment of mental health issues worldwide. Seeing the Mind provides a visualization for quotes gathered anonymously from teens aged 11-18 from around the world on what their mental health issue looks like to them. The project works to shift the focus from facts and figures to the emotions that accompany these mental illnesses.


"My depression looks like darkness drowning me."- Age 15


"My social anxiety looks like everyone is laughing at me and talking about me."-Age 15


"My panic attacks look like time stops."
-Age 15


"My OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) looks like a little green man working controls in your head."
-Age 15


"My anorexia looks like never feeling comfortable with my own body and starving myself so I can like my body and feeling as if I'm never going to be beautiful because of what my body looks like ."
-Age 15


"My depression looks like weights and chains dragging me down until I can no longer go on."
-Age 15


"My anxiety looks like a dark shadow looming and making me scared of everything."
-Age 13


"My Borderline Personality Disorder looks like a person sitting in a chair inside of a head behind a person's eyes."
-Age 17


"My Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) looks like a room where everything and everyone is covered with a sticky substance and if I touch anything I won't be able to get it off."
-Age 16


"My PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) looks like one smell can completely transport you to the worst moment of your life."
-Age 15


My panic attacks look like I am being strangled by my own hands."
-Age 15


"My anxiety looks like a lightning storm that never ends."
-Age 15

If you or someone you know is self-harming, in emotional distress, or in a suicidal crisis, check out the resources below.

* Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-TALK (8255).

* Text TALK to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free counseling.