Poster (barely visible) sitting at back window of vehicle for show...
The issue I have chosen to raise awareness in is the mental health in young adults because of the pressures of modern society. It is stated that, “More than half of young adults reported that financial worries (56%) and achievement pressure (51%) were negatively impacting their mental health.” research by Harvard Graduate School of Education. A recent report from a psychologist of the Resolution Foundation analyzes the problem and says that “In young people’s wellbeing, I believe that young people today face unprecedented pressures to excel academically, professionally and socially. This pressure can manifest in various forms, including academic stress, performance anxiety and fear of failure. By the Annie E. Casey Foundation says “Members of Generation Z — defined here as individuals born between 1997 and 2012 — are growing up in an age of increased stress and anxiety. Some 84% of Gen Zers believe mental health is a crisis in the United States, and they are over 80% more likely to report dealing with anxiety or depression compared to older generations, according to recent Gen Z studies. Gen Zers, ranging from ages 12 to 27 in 2024, are unique because the vast majority are going through a critical stage of development. A large body of research has shown that the age span of roughly 14 through 24 marks a formative phase of life in which profound cognitive, biological and psychosocial changes are taking place. “Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.” as stated by the World Health Organization in 2021.
This is a clear example of something that needs to change. One way of inspiring advocacy is by protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and psychological well-being, and ensuring access to mental health care are critical for their health and well-being during adolescence and adulthood. Another way we can inspire advocacy is by sharing this knowledge and information with the public/ society and hope that people will respond positively and make a personal change in their own way of life towards society, such as being more politely open and spreading positivity and love. When publicly shared by placing inside the rear window of a car and driving across the boulevard, and sharing publicly in the streets of downtown, JC, it is raising awareness with each person who comes across it.
Two quotes from the reading of “The Art of Activism”, by Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert, that can correlate to this subject and responses are firstly, from the radical activist parade of Troy in upstate New York. This is where the working-class, alongside artists and activists parade up and down the city's main streets in Victorian era costumes for recognition of higher wages and equality. “Everyone was dressed up as rich Victorians, and the poor factory workers who comprised the majority of the historic population of Troy were nowhere to be seen. So Greenwald resurrected them.” (page 38). This can connect with my sign and protest because being in the streets with the protest visibly will actively attract others to see what the fuss is about and possibly join it or just grow an opinion or idea about it. The second quote I selected is from Alfredo Jaar’s 24 hour museum. “Having experienced their museum for a day, the people longed for what they hadn’t even known they wanted, and they mobilized themselves to get it.” (page 43). This blending of art and unintentional activism was seen as delightfully effective by the society. The artist created and destroyed a beautiful piece that caused traction and changed the company. This can relate because my project being just a small piece of art with a message, can cause a major shift in the same way Jaar’s art impacted society. It is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you stand for something and have an artistic view of how that can be executed, the effect that it can have is unpredictable.
Citations:
https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-and-mental-health
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/#:~:text=Among%20U.S.%20young%20adults%20(aged,had%20serious%20thoughts%20of%20suicide
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