The ideas for the project proposal mainly revolves around the two themes which I have studied to a certain extend in recent years and would like to think of possible implementations in a different form and scale.
1. Cultural Exchange : Broadening Horizons
Growing up in a multicultural environment, I have learned many things and took them for granted. From food, languages to traditions and festivals. Having traveled to many countries before, I realized that there are many other cultures that are less diverse, while some embrace new influences in their society, others still hold close to their traditions and values. Regardless, each culture and societies are unique in their own way. Today, globalization have brought people together, integrating cultures which leads to diversification. It allows people to peer beyond the borders of their homeland yet at the same time stereotypes tend to form with the lack of first hand interaction or the stigma passed down and influenced by history.
Before joining the AFS exchange program to Japan, seniors who had joined the program previously said that it is not a one time experience but an experience of a lifetime, only after I ave been through it myself that I know that it is true. The two organizations that supported me throughout my experience in Japan emphasizes the importance of understanding and sharing culture. I have not only learned a lot through that experience but hopefully manage to spread some information of my country.
There are misconceptions that are often to Southeast Asia where Malaysia is situated. These stereotypes are gradually reducing as there is an increase in numbers of people who travel. The ambitious idea was to organize a few days event that could travel to different countries to share about this corner of the world b inviting representatives from each countries to be part of this cultural event. However, I would like to start small, learning about the practicality of the concept. This project is in a sense a repaying the community in Japan whom have taught me a lot about their culture, as I intend to organize a small festival sharing the Malaysian culture that is very much different from theirs.
Traditional festivals are the essence of the Japanese culture. The cultural event will be designed in a manner so that it appeals to the locals. The ideas is to invite artisans, chefs and perhaps cultural performers from Malaysia, together creating performances, workshops, food stalls and other forms of art, sharing as much as possible while keeping it interesting and comfortable throughout the duration of the festival. Hopefully through such a cultural exchange experience, it will be an eye-opener for the participants, encouraging them to travel to other parts of the world ( Fukui, the prefecture I was at is considered rural Japan ) and thus broadening their worldview especially the younger generations.
References
Wang, Y. (2007) "Globalization Enhances Cultural Identity", Harbin Engineering University, China, Intercultural Communication Studies XVI : 1. Available at: https://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/09-Yi-Wang.pdf (Accessed: 21 February 2019)
2. Mental Health : Depression
Mental illness is a serious condition with strong stigmas attached to it. The stigmas could gradually manifest into a phenomenon known as social distancing whereby the people suffering from mental illnesses are isolated from others (Friedman, M, 2014). The diagnosis of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders in a family could lead to strains in relationship that overwhelms family and friends. While individuals struggle with the symptoms from their mental illness, they are also challenged by the conventional image of mental health, which most of the time are held my those closest to them whom they desperately want understanding from. This project aims to create a better understanding and empathy between the individual suffering from mental illness and those closest to them.
The lack of understanding may be because of the stigma attached to mental health, empathy deficit in today's society, or perhaps refusing to see that their love ones are suffering, it does not mean that there is a lack of love. To create a better understanding between both parties, the initial idea of the project is to create a more visual imagery of how the individual "feels". The individuals would share their personal stories, their point of view and how they feel, and these narratives would be translated into virtual environment in VR. Evidently, the results will not be exactly how the individuals experiences things, but the exaggeration and imagery could help others "visualize" how they feel giving their friends and family a different perspective of understanding their conditions, the reason behind their changed personalities and perceptions.
Throughout the production of the virtual environment, it would be nice for the individuals and perhaps family members to have a few sessions with a professional psychiatrist and psychologist. While improving their relationship and environment of the diagnosed individual, it is also crucial not to neglect the mental disorders themselves. Depending on their preferences and situations, sessions or a seminar could be done that includes the close ones to increase their knowledge on mental health and hopefully reduces the prejudice about it. When the individual environments are completed the individuals could share them with whomever they wanted.
The participants for this project will be chosen through online application along with their narratives on their personal experience and why they wanted to share their experience. Furthermore, as this project is more like a campaign for promoting the importance of understanding mental health, the participants chosen will most probably those who are willing to share their stories. The process of this whole project would be documented as it is also a "prototype" and perhaps compiled into a short documentary that spread the importance of not only treating mental health for those suffering from it but also a chance to spread awareness to those who have someone with such diagnosis to have some understanding instead of dismissing them.
References
Borchard, T. (2016) "When Family Members and Friends Don’t Understand Depression", Everyday Health, March 16. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/therese-borchard-sanity-break/when-family-friends-dont-understand-depression/ (Accessed: 20 February 2019)
Corrigan, P.W. and Watson, A.C. (2002) "Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness.", World Psychiatry, February 1. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/ (Accessed: 20 February 2019)
Friedman, M. (2014) "The Stigma of Mental Illness Is Making Us Sicker", Psychology Today, March 13. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker (Accessed: 20 February 2019)
NAMI. (no date) "Personal Stories; How To Love Someone With A Mental Illness", National Alliance on Mental Illness. Available at: https://www.nami.org/Personal-Stories/How-To-Love-Someone-With-A-Mental-Illness (Accessed: 20 February 2019)
Noonan, S. (2017) "Mental Illness Splits Families; How To Avoid Losing Your Family", Psychology Today, May 18. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/view-the-mist/201705/mental-illness-splits-families (Accessed: 20 February 2019)
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