Pure Mental Hi!

Pure Mental Hi! began in 2017 as a personal exploration of mental health and the often-unspoken conversations surrounding suicide in Derry, Northern Ireland. Drawn to locations associated with loss and attempted suicide, I set out to photograph places that many people pass every day without knowing the stories they hold.

The project developed over several years and took on new significance during the COVID-19 pandemic. As life slowed, I found myself returning to the work with a deeper understanding of the importance of connection, reflection and open conversation. Rather than documenting tragedy, the photographs quietly acknowledge the weight these places can carry, inviting viewers to consider the experiences that often remain unseen.

The Foyle Bridge became a recurring focus throughout the series. While it stands as an important landmark within the city, it also represents the complex relationship between place, memory and mental health. By photographing it without spectacle, I wanted to create space for reflection rather than judgement.

At its heart, Pure Mental Hi! is about encouraging conversation. Mental health struggles are often hidden behind silence, and too many people feel they must face them alone. This project is a reminder that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and that support, understanding and hope can begin with simply talking.

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The project title borrows a familiar local expression, using it to reflect on the way mental health is often spoken about casually, while the realities behind it can remain deeply personal.