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Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery exhibit deals with mental illness stigma

'Sometimes we don't know how we break, only that we long to be sewn back together,' — Amy Willans.

KERROBERT — The Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery is hosting a special exhibit until Oct. 21 to help communities deal with the stigma of mental illness.

Every year, one in five Canadians will experience a mental health concern. Former Canadian Figure Skating Team athlete, Amy Willans, is now an award-winning mental health advocate. Willans will have an exhibit on display in Kerrobert’ s Courtroom Gallery.

An opening gala was held Sept. 7 featuring the exhibit “Fighting Normal.” Sept. 8, Willans was on hand to have a conversation entitled, “Triumph of the Spirit,” sharing her story and allowing attendees to ask questions.

Willans presentation and display chronicles her journey dealing with mental health and the stigma surrounding it. The exhibit combines artwork depicting Amy’s journey to wellness by artist Laurie MacFayden.

Willan shared what she has learned about wellness, stigma, the healing powers of art and the importance of community resilience and gratitude. The exhibit features a multi-discipline installation addressing mental illness and its stigma

The opening sentence on her website Amy Willans | Speaker, Writer, Mental Health Advocate says, “Sometimes we don’t know how we break, only that we long to be sewn back together.”