Using Photovoice to Document Living With Mental Illness on a College Campus

Almost one-fourth of college students are living with a mental illness. Although much discussion has taken place on the mental health of today’s students, information from the students living with mental illness is lacking. The purpose of this study was to allow college students living with mental illness to document and communicate their realities with peers and university stakeholders through the participatory action research methodology, Photovoice. Seventeen college students who were prescribed at least one medication used to treat mental illness were given disposable cameras and asked to take photographs reflecting their realities of living with mental illness. Students met individually with researchers for reflection and as a focus group with other participants to discuss their photographs. All meetings were audio recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed. An additional meeting was held to communicate the students’ realities with campus stakeholders. Main themes identified were: insights into campus services, increasing awareness and educating others, support, and barriers to getting better. Photovoice was an effective methodology to allow college students living with mental illness to communicate with campus stakeholders to increase awareness and education. Through the sharing of photographs and reflections, policies and practices affecting students living with mental illness are being examined.