I Illustrate My Darkest Thoughts To Help People Understand What It's Like To Suffer From Mental Illness (40 Pics)

My illustrations allow me to express my feelings. I've never been great at talking about it, so drawing allows me that. I can hide behind my characters and then share it without having to show my face. With time, it also slowly became a way to inform about mental health issues and to remind people that they are not alone and that it's okay to not be okay. I'm really happy with that part because I wasn't expecting it at all!

I've always been drawing and just never stopped. After high school, I was refused in art schools but kept drawing because I didn't see myself doing anything else. I'm always trying to make something that can be understood by as many people as possible: people who suffer from mental health issues, but also people who don't but may know someone suffering. It's sometimes challenging, but I like that.

I've always been drawing about my life, so the topics of depression and anxiety came naturally when my life became darker. Sharing it publicly took some time because I was scared to have my family and friends see it. I would describe my style as dark humor with a sketchy comic style. But I also like making cute illustrations in a more kid literature style—the opposite of these comics.

I started these illustrations around 2014, dared to share them after 2015 and will continue as long as I have something to share on these topics. Seeing people's reactions to my drawings is a huge boost and is very inspiring! It reminds me that I'm not alone and that what I'm doing is useful. It makes me really proud! I never imagined I would be able to help people since I feel like I am broken myself.

If you want to create art—just get started and create! We get better by practicing and never stopping. Talent is just days of work. I personally draw things that are far from perfect, but I keep working.

I'm a French '90s kid who got refused in art schools after high school and did his best to work as an artist anyway. It's still in progress today.

As I grew up in my twenties, life got darker, so I started drawing about it in English, so my French family wouldn't understand. It slowly got worse and I couldn't get out of my house after 2 big panic attacks that made me too sick and scared to go out. One of them was at one of my art shows, so I felt betrayed by my drawings. The other one was at a concert, so I felt betrayed by music, my biggest support in life. So I decided to get help and talked about it to my doctor. I discovered I had burned out, that I had depression, and that many of my issues were caused by anxiety and panic disorder. With time, I realized I was also facing gender dysphoria. I came out a trans guy, got kicked out of my parents' house by my dad and now draw about all of these strange thoughts in my head and hope to someday make a real living with all of my drawings. I evolved a lot in the last few years. I started hormones, got my own home, got a dog. Today, I think I can say the hardest is in the past. I'd like to try to go to more concerts. To start playing in a band again, to try to start really living.

Don't hesitate to talk about how you are feeling to people. We often fear bad reactions, but they are often more open than we imagine. Get help, it's all okay!