We all know that art has long been a medium for expression, healing, and connection. But for those navigating the challenges of mental health conditions like psychosis, it can mean a lot more than that, acting as a powerful tool to break down barriers, foster understanding, and spark dialogue. The Psychosis Art Collective (PAC) is at the forefront of this intersection between art and mental health advocacy, using creativity to reduce stigma and build a supportive community for those affected by psychosis.
In this interview, we speak with Conor Gavin, co-founder of PAC, to learn more about the collective’s journey, its impact, and its vision for the future.
How did PAC begin? What inspired you/your co founders to start the initiative, and how has it evolved so far?
PAC began with a simple idea. Myself and PAC co-founder, Lisa Callaghan, were both interested in creativity and both had lived experience of psychosis – The idea was that we couldn’t be the only ones. We were determined to use our connections in the field of art and mental health, along with utilising social media to seek out other creatives with lived experience. Above all, we wanted to connect with others with similar interests. We suspected at the time that an arts collective specifically for those living with psychosis did not exist, and as far as I’m aware, this is still the case. While many groups allow all mental health experience to collaborate, I still believe there is power in keeping our niche in place. Psychosis can be isolating and so hopefully by expanding our collective, members can feel a little less isolated.
What role do you think art can play in mental health?/What is the connection between art and mental health/wellbeing?
Firstly, we are not art therapists and probably never will be. Our goal isn’t to treat symptoms. However, I think organisations like PAC can be beneficial in other ways. Creative expression through arts and other mediums can connect people in a way that is unique. We all know the feeling of standing in a crowd of thousands at a concert while the music flows and you can feel something that is quite difficult to describe. Most of us can remember the feeling of walking out of the cinema or theatre having just watched a masterpiece. It can be next to impossible to measure or quantify the benefits of such moments. Not everything needs to be of clinical relevance though I do believe art therapy plays an important role in its own right. PAC is more than that – it’s a culmination of awareness raising and a sort of cathartic realisation that we can thrive as a community of like minded individuals.
One of the goals of PAC is to reduce stigma associated with psychosis, what is the impact in your opinion of stigma, whether from society or those with psychosis themselves, on seeking diagnosis and treatment, and living with psychosis?
Good question. Psychosis and related conditions are among the, if not the most stigmatised disorders. This has a lot to do with the fact people don’t understand psychosis. Lack of awareness can most definitely be a barrier to help seeking behaviours. As you alluded to, public stigma and self stigma are related but are two different issues. Reducing either or both can have major downstream effects. We know from research that early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes for those who experience psychosis so reducing stigma is essential in that regard.
What are some of the misconceptions about psychosis that you hope PAC can help to address?
One major misconception about psychosis is the idea that it can permanently limit potential for a fulfilling life. One major shift in mental health over the last few years is the idea of recovery. Psychosis is no different – full recovery is possible. I think a big part of this is building and maintaining hope. PAC aims to show people that those with lived experience can flourish and thrive using their creative skills – we would like to think that this inspires hope.
What do you think needs to change about the way psychosis is treated/managed in the current healthcare system?
A lot needs to change in mental health in general and especially for psychosis. 3 major things need to change in my opinion.
- At a governance level, funding needs to be hugely increased – budgeting for mental health is notoriously low. Furthermore, funding needs to be multiannual so that service providers can plan ahead and be proactive and not survive year to year and be reactive.
- The second issue is we need to understand psychosis and a big part of this is research. We not only need to fund services, but academia – to name a few: Genetics, biological markers, psychological factors, social determinants and functional development all play a role. These interplaying factors all come together in the development, onset and recovery of psychosis and there is much work to be done. Thankfully, there are some excellent institutions with some great researchers working tirelessly to help further our knowledge – they just need more recognition and funding.
- The third issue is relevant for mental health in general – the centrality of lived experience. People living with psychosis are experts, not by training but by their own life experience. The whole mental health landscape needs to be rearranged, with public and patient involvement (PPI) at the centre. Co-creation needs to be implemented free from tokenism and peer led organisations need to be cultivated. This will help make service provision more person-centred and tailored to those who know best. Lived experience knowledge can also foster empathy and also act as a beacon of hope for those earlier in their recovery journeys – one reason why peer support has now evolved to be an integral part of the system.
The raw bravery of the artists always impresses me. Visual and written pieces alike, our artists are strong and are not afraid to express themselves.
Conor Gavin – PAC
‘Thrive Together’ is PACs second virtual exhibition, how was last year’s ‘Fragmented’ exhibition received?
‘Fragmented ‘was a huge success. The fact it was fully online and it still did so well was a huge testament to the power of our group. We are a small, peer-run and self-funded organisation. We do not have a physical base and so the use of social media and other resources are essential for us. Our first show was a test and the result was that we have huge potential for growth. When we started, we weren’t sure that anybody would be interested and were quite apprehensive about the whole idea. That apprehension has since evaporated and due to last year’s initial success we are motivated and excited to expand.
What can viewers expect from your ‘Thrive Together ‘exhibition? What are your particular favourites/highlights?
This year I think viewers can expect diversity. We have 13 different artists and we cover pretty much every medium of art you can think of. Not only that, but the themes expressed vary hugely. We see dark themes and light – works importantly highlight the difficult times without shying away from the struggles we face. On the flip side, there is a palpable sense of hope. I can’t choose a favourite, but I would like to give a huge thanks to every single person who contributed. Without the artists who work hard and submit, PAC cannot exist.
Have you observed any patterns or themes in the way artists express their experiences of psychosis?
The most striking thing for me is honesty. The raw bravery of the artists always impresses me. Visual and written pieces alike, our artists are strong and are not afraid to express themselves.
What is the main thing you want to achieve with PAC?
Empowerment. Our mantra is ‘Create & Empower.’ If we can raise awareness and fight stigma I think that’s a fantastic result. But, if we can help empower the individuals involved I know we can change lives. We have big plans to help build artists’ capacity to create. Also, I’d love to see artists play more of a role in the organisational side such as event planning and promotion. This, along with continuing to create great work, will no doubt empower our members for years to come.
What can we expect from PAC in 2025?
We can expect to see what our members want. We’ve yet to decide but I want to make the collective more of a collective and have everyone’s voice heard. Co-creation and co-design is crucial in the recovery movement and so I want to bring that ethos to PAC. Stay tuned and watch us grow! Onwards and upwards!
