A Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) client who used photography as a form of therapy yesterday received a Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) people's choice award. New photographer Gail Smith said being named the winner for best photograph was "unbelievable" and added: "I still haven't really faced up to the fact that I won it."

Ms Smith joined with other MWI clients two months ago to display art, photography and fashion creations at an exhibition at the Bermuda Society of Arts. It was part of the MindFrame/PhotoVoice project, which gives mental health sufferers a chance to express themselves and learn a new skill.

Hundreds of people visited the September exhibition in City Hall — with some voting on their favourite pieces and others opting to buy them. In the end, four budding artists were selected as the public's favourites including Deniece Grieves, who won the award for best postcard competition entry.

According to a BHB spokeswoman, this was a new category "to celebrate the launch of the Mental Health Plan" — an approach which focuses on the idea that people can recover from mental illness by improving their self-esteem. Meanwhile Betty Ann Pierre and Mike Gibbons were tied for their art works entitled 'Nature's Creation' and 'Untitled' respectively.

Yesterday Ms Smith said she was still in disbelief that she won a prize for her picture entitled 'Flowers in the Sunshine'. She told The Royal Gazette: "I got the prize, but I did not think I won it. It makes me feel proud."

She said the programme taught her to concentrate more on nature and her surroundings and added: "I never felt my mind in that way before. It helped me see things in a different way than I ever did before."

Occupational therapist Troy Farnsworth said the 12-week programme not only taught clients a new hobby and interest, but also gave them confidence. "I think it is wonderful. Hopefully we can get a lot more service users at MWI involved and benefiting the same way Gail has. Just by the smile on her face today when she received the award says it all."