Yangju City, Mental Health and Youth Day Commemorative Exhibition 'Begin Again' a Great Success

Yangju City has been holding an exhibition titled "Begin Again - Start Again, Your Life Will Shine" since the 23rd of last month in the first-floor lobby and third-floor gallery of the city hall.

Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kang Su-hyun) has been holding an exhibition titled "Begin Again - Your Life That Will Shine Once More" in the lobby on the 1st floor and the gallery on the 3rd floor of the city hall since the 23rd of last month.

This exhibition, held to commemorate Mental Health Day designated annually on October 10th, was organized to visually showcase the talents of members of the Mental Health Welfare Center, aiming to dispel misunderstandings and prejudices among local residents and create a mental health-friendly environment within the community.

On the 11th, a member of the Mental Health Welfare Center who works as a peer supporter personally guided visitors through the exhibited works and held an explanatory session to help deepen their understanding, vividly conveying the depth and emotions of the artworks to the visitors.

A peer supporter is a person with lived experience of recovery from mental illness who helps others with mental illness in need of support to recover.

The artwork explanation session was attended by numerous citizens as well as mental health-related organizations inside and outside the area (community transition facility Raon, Ire Mental Rehabilitation Facility, Yangju Sarangteo), who viewed the exhibition together with the peer supporter, sharing emotions and experiences, which moved the audience deeply.

Visitors to the exhibition said, "Many writings touched my heart, and it changed my perspective on mental disabilities, giving me time to understand them," and added, "I hope we can become a society where we can live together."

A city official stated, "We will continue to provide opportunities through exhibitions to eliminate prejudice against people with mental illnesses and support efforts to inform citizens about the talents and creativity of those with mental illnesses."

Meanwhile, this exhibition will continue until the 14th and is scheduled to be held at Okjeong Lake Sports Center from the 23rd to November 1st, and at Yangju Station from November 13th to 22nd.