The SA Federation for Mental Health [SAFMH] and Masiviwe came together to develop the South African Positive Mental Health Photo Library. Inspired by The Mental Health Foundation, this library aims to destigmatise mental health and shares positive photographs of persons living with mental health conditions.
These photographs are free to download for use by the media and all people active in the mental health space.
Please note that these photographs should not be used to depict specific mental health conditions or negative stories about persons living with mental health conditions. Rather, these photographs should be used by the media and people active in the mental health space when sharing positive stories about persons with mental health conditions or when promoting ways people can take care of their mental health.
Stigma remains a barrier to help-seeking, treatment, and recovery when it comes to mental health conditions. Research has shown that images can have strong anti-stigma effects and that photographs play a significant role in the way people view mental health and persons living with mental health conditions.
The themes we’ve categorised the photos into are:
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Community
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Self-care
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Support Groups
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Following Treatment Plans
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Creativity
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Staying Fit