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New Project | MoodLab: Bipoloar Disorder Awareness Campaign

CandleX CandleX 2021-02-25

From an abstract idea to the first photos becoming real posters; from a few people sitting in a bar and brainstorming to having sponsors interested; from flurries of emails and WeChat group messages to meeting reports and workshop proposals…all in the effort to address the lack of awareness on bipolar disorder in Beijing.

It took 6 months of work – and more is to come – but Qin Xiaojie, the Founder of CandleX and mastermind behind the MoodLaB photo exhibition, is clearly impressed by how this project has come together and touched by the help of so many partners and the growing number of project members. The initial idea of a photo exhibition has now expanded to cover a range of activities, from a subway campaign to emotional wellbeing workshops, psychoeducation and personal stories.


We are proud to present CandleX Brand New 1.5 Year (2016-2017) Long Project | MoodLab: Bipoloar Disorder Awareness Campaign
 
The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and reduce the social stigma attached to it. MoodLab project is composed of 7 major activities under 4 pillars of Community Education, Community Engagement, Mass Media Campaign, and Community Campaign.

By inviting community members to become models and portray various moods in a series of photoshoots, we started the first activity of this project in Nov 2016. Joined by renown photographer, Pere Ibañez, this is the first of its kind event for the community to experience the drastic emotions associated with bipolar disorder. A total of 20 models will be selected for the photoshoot in order to create a diverse portfolio. (Pere Ibañez and Xiaojie Qin Dec 2016)



We all have stories, and so does each of the photo we will present.  In cooperation with Itgetbrighter China and Bearapy, “One Model One Story” was created to present models’ stories with mood or bipolar disorder,  and reasons for wanting to learn about their moods and portray them in photos. We aim to create a healthy and open conversation bridging the gap of “unwell” and “well” members to share and learn about each other. To reduce social stigma, we have to face the fear of stepping out of the box. Moodlab provides that opportunity to transform into the light that empower our community.


Before the photoshoots, CandleX will provide MoodlaB Emotional Wellbeing workshops at the UCCA in 798 for the models and community members to learn more about their own emotions and to heighten their self-awareness. In this workshop, we will explore the range of human emotions, and spectrum of moods through learner centered approach of using art and psychosocial education, including body movement, drawing, group reflection, and theater games to engage the participate to experience the spectrum of emotions. Additionally, mini psychoeducation elements, including personal story telling, and a psychosocial presentation will be covered.


The photos will be curated into an online album, with stories, slogans and photos complied together in an art album. But beyond that, CandleX aspires to show CandleX Campaign photos in selected subway stations or bus stations around Beijing on the mental health day in October, 2017. Not everyone would understand what these art photos mean exactly, but for those that do, the words speak into the dark corners in the heart, telling them they are not alone, and we are here to help.


Besides photos, we will also produce CandleX Campaign Videos on Bipolar Disorder Awareness in partnership with Ray Kenderdine, an independent film-maker. A series of videos of different length will be produced presenting the general public’s understanding of bipolar disorder in relation to the reality of bipolar disorder. The video will be used at our community events, on major media platforms, and in schools that we collaborate with.


Psychoeducational Element will be delivered in Feb 2017, in partnership with MyTherapist, China’s top mental health service provider. It’s an online two-week intensive campaign and education on bipolar disorder reaching over 1 million audience, with activities including psychoeducational article, mood disorder online participant engagement, psychoeducation live classroom with psychiatrists, and online self-assessment tool.


In addition to all these great initiatives in store between now and end of 2017, a CandleX Interactive Art Exhibition will be held where a wider audience will be able to view and experience the stories and photos of the community. Another key event is a CandleX Mental Health Gala in April to celebrate CandleX’s 2-year anniversary, to thank all its project team, and to increase the engagement with community.

Engage with MoodlaB Campaign

1. Be Our Model

You can still apply to be our model and advocate for mental health project via (https://candlex.org/2016/09/20/event-candlex-mood-lab-photoshoot-call-for-models/) till the 30th of March. Our first picture is displayed at an exhibition in Los Angeles Center for Digital Art from 8th -31st December 2016. More photos from this project will be released throughout 2017.

2. Join Emotional Wellbeing Workshop

The first MoodlaB Emotional Wellbeing Workshop will take place on the 17th of December, 2016 (14.15 – 16.30) at UCCA, Beijing. The workshop will be held from Jan –June 2017. Participants for the workshops are accepted via email application to info@candlex.org. More details, please go to our MoodlaB workshop Page by clicking on "Read More" at the end (https://candlex.org/2016/12/07/event-moodlab-emotional-wellbeing-workshop-for-a-better-self/)

All MoodlaB activities in one picture


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