Portraits of Resilience

Portraits of Resilience by Daniel Jackson

I am inspired to discuss a book that I have coveted for years as a therapist, Portraits of Resilience (2017) by Daniel Jackson.  This poignant book is a photographic essay of 22 people attending MIT—students, staff and faculty who have overcome a personal mental health crisis.  The people in the photographs are from all walks of life, visually illustrating the diversity and humanity of mental health challenges. Photographs are followed by personal narratives of the quest for resilience amidst depression, anxiety and trauma.  Each moving story is a reminder that mental health challenges are universal and often nuanced by culture, personal attributes, and family of origin.

One student, Emily Tang, fell into a deep depression and stopped attending class.  She hid it from her family in fear of the repercussions she would experience from her ‘Asian mother’.  She had friends who held her hand through the toughest moments as she contemplated the worth of life.  Only after forced expulsion from MIT and returning home did she begin to find her way.  It took running away from home in the rain and then returning to ‘cut herself in the shower’ for her to realize she had to mobilize and make new commitments to herself.  After re-admittance to MIT a few years later, Emily knew she had grown by her increasing independence and the ability to attend class during a depressive episode.

One professor of Physics, John Belcher, became so depressed and consequently cognitively impaired, that he could not recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  He admits to spending his career before depression enjoying abstract ideas and a computer screen more than interpersonal relationships.  As his depression grew, he notes that he had to grow as well, realizing the profound importance of human connection.  He states, “my motivations have changed—what I think is important.  My priorities are more oriented toward people, as opposed to doing scientific projects.”  Although he continues to want recognition from his colleagues, he feels he has become “multifaceted” after learning what it takes to live, and now thrive, after depression.

Therese Henderson, Administrative assistant, realized she had been depressed since early childhood. Growing up with an angry alcoholic father, she learned to keep her feelings to herself. She states, “It was better to try and be invisible…because when you got noticed, you got in trouble.”  As an adult, after her brother died of alcoholism and she divorced, her depression and sadness turned to anger. She started attending support groups and using self help tools like journaling and braking plates from the thrift store.  This helped her to acknowledge her anger, her depression, and to move forward toward a more present and fulfilling life.  For the first time, five years after her groups have ended and many journals later, Therese reports “having a great life”.

Each participant depicts a path of struggle leading to a deep awakening. With this awakening, they begin to repair the emotional destruction.  It is clear from each autobiographical account that resilience is born out of despair.  With this, I find great hope and meaning in the therapeutic work we do as mental health professionals. The privilege to witness and nurture the seeds of resilience in our clients is an inspiration and a great source of hope alive in our profession.