The inspiring and striking artistic talents of some of the Island’s children go on display today — but this is no ordinary exhibition.

The paintings and photographs are all by young clients of the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, are on the autism spectrum, or have tendencies to self-harm.

Some of the those involved have been suicidal, but the therapy has allowed them to express their negative emotions and be understood.

“About 15 children have taken part,” said occupational therapist Moffat Makomo. “Most are between five and 12 although one is 15 and one is 17.

“The art speaks to how they feel and some are trying to discover themselves.

“Some of them cut, some are dealing with sexuality issues, some the pressures of schoolwork. They may tend to expect more from themselves and think their parents expect more from them.”

The children’s work is part of the MindFrame/PhotoVoice exhibition at Bermuda Society of Arts, which is open from today until October 28.

The show’s launch marks the final day of Mental Health Awareness Week, which aims to break down the stigma and fear surrounding mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

The exhibition — which also features pieces by MWI’s adult clients and patients in the continuing care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital — helps to achieve this by focusing mainly on creative expression, not solely on someone’s individual struggle.

“Anyone coming into this room wouldn’t be able to identify what artwork comes from children, or what difficulties they are facing,” Mr Makomo said. “Mental health is like any other condition. You can’t pinpoint that this person has depression, this person doesn’t.”

Among the children’s work is a piece called Plastic, which focuses on how notions of beauty generalise women.

“The child may not feel perfect, and wants to be perfect,” Mr Makomo said. “Self-esteem is a big thing. For most of the children it’s an almost 50/50 split between academic and physical self-esteem.

“Self-esteem is very low or they expect so much from themselves. All or most children, their aim is to please adults or parents, but they can think they’re not doing enough. They criticise themselves.”

Another piece, Red Garden, was by “a child who cuts”, Mr Makomo said. “The red represents blood. It’s self-expression, releasing emotions therapeutically.”

One particularly striking piece, Bipolar, shows two women — one amid order, the other surrounded by chaos. A harrowing yet mesmerising photograph shows a child’s arm scarred by self-harming cuts, while an abstract painting about cutting includes phrases such as “I’m sorry, I’m disgusting”.

“The benefits of art therapy include self-awareness and it helps rather than someone not expressing themselves appropriately,” Mr Makomo said. “A therapist can see that and recommend how to go about talking to and helping the child.

“Our main goal is to teach children to look for coping mechanisms that are socially acceptable and they can continue to do that.”

The art has commentary notes written by the children and their initials are used rather than their names to respect their privacy.

“Most of the children start off saying ‘I’m not good at art’, but we try to encourage them and tell them any form of art, even if they think it doesn’t look nice, it’s about them expressing themselves and no one can judge them on that expression,” Mr Makomo said.

“Most schools have art programmes and we try to use what they are using in school, or what the child is good at, in the therapy process.

“Some of these children want to terminate their lives. We show them that everyone makes mistakes, and how to come out of those mistakes — we’re teaching them coping strategies.

“We’ve seen a lot of progress with art therapy. Most of the children have ADHD and most people say they have an attention deficit, but these children pay attention to everything rather than a deficit, they’re just not able to focus on one detail. Art helps them to settle down and focus and pay attention to one thing.”

Mr Makomo emphasised that children with mental health problems “aren’t a danger to other children, they’re more vulnerable”.

He also highlighted that the children were “very excited having art on display” and it was a boost for their self-esteem.

“If their painting is sold it means cash to buy Christmas presents, or they can give the painting if it isn’t sold,” he said.

Mr Makomo added that another benefit of the art and the exhibition was that it let others know that they were not alone in a struggle with mental illness.

“Someone might see this and realise they’re not the only person who feels this way,” he said. “When they express and exhibit it’s an opportunity for someone else, too.

“People can see the art and see it’s for everyone, it doesn’t need to be perfect.”

MindFrame/PhotoVoice is at Bermuda Society of Arts at City Hall until October 28.