Over the summer of 2008, ten newcomers to digital photography, each with their own personal experience of mental illness, learned to use Nikon Cool Pix L14 cameras and set out to capture images that reflected their thoughts about work.

From their hundreds of photos, each photographer chose 2-5 images for the exhibit and prepared their personal stories, or narratives, to explain each image. The group then collectively organized the pieces and identified four themes: Barriers to Work, Stigma and Discrimination, What Helps to Support Work and Mental Health, and Hopes and Aspirations for Work.

People living with serious mental illness face profound barriers to employment. Their unemployment rate has been reported to range from 70-90%, depending on the severity of the disability. Yet, productive work is recognized as being essential to promoting positive mental health and to supporting economic and social inclusion.

The "Working with the Whole Picture" project was facilitated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch and was based on the Photovoice method. Photovoice is a grass-roots, participatory research and social action process developed by Caroline Wang and Dr. Mary Anne Burris at the University of Michigan in 1992. Through photography and personal stories, Photovoice allows people to define for themselves what is important and what needs to change.

This exhibit, "Working with the Whole Picture", intends to open a dialogue with the community, policy makers and employers about work opportunities for people with lived experience of serious mental illness.