Starting this month, you might see some familiar faces around Skiles. The Creative Career Origination Lab (CoLab), located in Suite 340 of the School of Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC), has launched The Inspirational Figures Posters Series concurrent with National Suicide Prevention Month this year. 

Featuring public figures who have a history of struggling with mental illness, the series consist of artistic posters displaying the people alongside relevant quotes illustrating their individual experiences. The posters were designed by students Lily Steele and Everlin Wang with artistic direction from CoLab Director Jillann Hertel, who also serves as Creative Director for LMC.

Famous athletes and entertainers were among such figures selected by students in the Ivan Allen College (IAC).  Tennis Player and Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams, Actor and Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Chris Evans, and Actress and LGBTQ+ Activist Laverne Cox, are few among many inspiring leaders who will be on display in the CoLab. The exhibit will run through December 1, 2019 and is open to all students campus-wide. 

The idea to host a series of posters featuring prominent figures who suffer mental illness and who persevere nonetheless was originally brought to the attention of Hertel by Professor Carol Colatrella with the intention of inspiring students to see successful people who may share their struggles. The concept was then supported by both Hertel and the former Dean of the IAC Dr. Jackie Royster in order to bring this positive series of posters to fruition through artistic direction, design, printing, mounting, and display of the works. 

This is the second installment of the posters; last year, the first installment appeared in various locations around campus, from Skiles to the Academy of Medicine. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the show comes on the heels of Tech’s own Suicide Prevention Week. 

Visit the CoLab website for more information or stop by Skiles Suite 340 to see the art exhibition in person. For more information about the posters, email jillann.hertel@lmc.gatech.edu. For more information on how Georgia Tech is working to raise mental health awareness, visit endsuicide.gatech.edu.

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255) If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.