Title: Let's Talk About Mental Health (ltamg.org- not a real website or organization)

Challenge: What started as a school project inspired by my own experiences with mental health has evolved into a personal mission to create safe spaces for mental health discussions. My goal was to design engaging and accessible promotional materials for mental health events and clinicians that provide easily digestible information for self-help with depression. This project, which resonates with me deeply, focuses on using design as a vehicle to foster open conversations and promote mental health awareness.

Process: The process began with defining a clean, modern, and minimalistic design approach. I started by creating a color palette that resonates with the target audience—adults dealing with depression—while ensuring the design felt fresh, welcoming, and impactful. I refined the design through sketches, feedback, and multiple iterations.

For the second iteration, I developed a faux brand, ltamh.org (Let’s Talk About Mental Health), to build awareness, reduce stigma, and promote inclusion. This branding was incorporated into a brochure series called KindMind, aimed at raising awareness around mental health. I also introduced a non-binary icon to further ensure inclusivity. The color palette was aligned with Mental Health Awareness Week, a cause I support in my current role in higher education. While I’m not affiliated with Mental Health Awareness Week, this alignment helped strengthen the project’s impact and connection to ongoing events.

In addition to the brochures, I’m expanding the project by creating branded t-shirts and other assets using elements from the ltamh.org branding and KindMind initiative. These assets are designed to uplift and represent all communities, fostering inclusivity and encouraging conversations around mental health. The photos and visuals will reflect the diversity of people who are impacted by mental health, promoting unity and awareness.

Impact: This project serves as a tool to raise awareness about depression, normalize conversations around mental health, and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels represented. The designs provide valuable resources in an approachable and engaging format, encouraging individuals to seek help and engage in mental health discussions. The branded assets, including the t-shirts, further amplify the message of mental health awareness, supporting a movement of acceptance and understanding across all communities.

Tools & Techniques: Pencil & Paper: Initial sketches and brainstorming, Adobe Illustrator: Creating the vector-based designs, logos, and layouts, Placeit: Mockups to showcase designs in real-world scenarios (e.g., brochures, t-shirts).

Please note, iteration one is anything that is titled "Depression Facts & Health", the other images are the newer iteration two.

References: National Institute of Mental Health (2023, July 1). Major Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

Psychology Today (2017, October 10). How Helping Others Can Relieve Anxiety and Depression: New research shows one more way that compassion is beneficial. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201710/how-helping-others-can-relieve-anxiety-and-depression

World Health Organization (2022, June 8). Mental Disorders. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders#:~:text=Depression,medication%20may%20also%20be%20considered.