The image of the ‘tortured artist’ is a familiar characterisation that asserts that the most creative among us are bound to be touched by mental affliction. It is a stereotype often romanticised in western society as the only way to authentically achieve great works of art. Ironically, mental illness is also considered to be one of the most highly stigmatised conditions today; where individuals are labelled as unstable, incompetent or crazy and subject to oppression intensified through the media and colloquial language. Unlike mental health and well-being, which concerns all people, mental illness is broadly defined as, “diagnosable psychological disorders that are characterised by dysregulation of mood, thought and/or behaviour.” Some of the most prominent people in fashion, such as Cara Delevingne, Alexander McQueen and most recently, Kate Spade, have been gripped by mental illness with the latter two tragically resulting in death.

There are a myriad of mental illnesses defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, the most commonly diagnosed disorders among people in the creative industries are depression, which is experienced by about 32% of the workforce, and anxiety disorders, which accounts for about 36% of the workforce. While there are links between mental illness and creativity, the structure of creative organisations today also contributes to the development of mental breakdowns. Factors such as long and irregular working hours, low financial rewards, perceived lack of value placed on creative work, and the internal and external pressures to reach high standards, are the most commonly disclosed.

Disclaimer: Images may seem frank and be of sensitive nature to some readers. They are the artist's impression of her lived experience of anxiety when trying to turn off the world's noise to stop for a moment of silence. This series explores the transition of emotions from anxiety to peace that she experienced while being in complete silence.

The experience of having a mental illness in the workplace is debilitating and has substantial barriers to having a productive and fulfilling working life. In an organisational study that looked at the task performance and at-work productivity of employees with mental illnesses, individuals reported difficulty in controlling their anxiety and emotions at work. These employees scored lower on objective job performance evaluations than their peers. Additionally, in a focus group researching employees diagnosed with depression or anxiety, they expressed that their mental illness caused discrepancies between their desired performance and actual performance that resulted in withdrawal and increased sickness absences when not resolved. Nearly all of the people interviewed believed that their mental illness had cost them previous job opportunities. They felt their display of symptoms, such as poor concentration, low confidence, negative self-perceptions, and poor communication skills led to a minimisation of financial support, lack of daily routine and decline in their general sense of well-being. Overall, these employees experienced lower job satisfaction and had a negative outlook on their prospects of career progression.

I often find myself thinking about the complexities of the fashion industry. On the one hand, it is a place where creativity thrives and ideas are transformed into three-dimensional forms that are worn and enjoyed by others. At the same time, the fashion industry imposes unrealistic expectations on the people who work in it. While many may say that it is the nature of this fast-paced industry to be highly pressurised, there are too many accounts of people who are stressed, overworked and battling mental illness — and struggle to admit it due to the shame our society tends to impose on those who ask for help. In the recent wake of Kate Spade’s suicide and the revelation that she too struggled with depression, it's imperative that we go beyond the usual platitudes of being ‘aware’ and start to make real and lasting changes.