Good Point Design worked with Dr Emma Tseris and other researchers at Sydney University to visualise key themes that emerged during a participatory action research project exploring women’s experiences of compulsory mental health treatment in Australia.

The qualitative research project took a co-design approach, involving women with lived experience throughout the project. In-depth interviews revealed both the substantial harms inflicted against women and their strategic resistance to psychiatric oppression. The research points to the need for greater involvement of people with lived experience, and to challenge widespread acceptance of involuntary mental health treatment.

Good Point Design’s part in this work was to support and amplify the voice of the women involved through illustrations and design. We aimed to bring a different lens to the work that invites people to confront the harmful treatment, but also the strength of the individuals who experienced it.

The end results are a booklet and website that feature direct quotes and accompanying illustrations that link to four key themes and implications that were identified.

Even more powerful than these products was the response from the research participants: responding to the illustrations, participants were inspired to create their own artworks to visualise their experiences. These works, along with a selection of mine from the booklet, were shown in an exhibition, Unscheduled, at 107 Projects In Redfern on 3-13 May 2023. You can read review of the exhibition from Women With Disabilities Australia here.

It was as a privilege to be trusted with this work.