New exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center explores mental health, sparking good conversations

Photo above from CSC’s “Mental Health: Mind Matters” exhibit courtesy of KDKA-TV.

A new, interactive exhibit called “Mental Health: Mind Matters” has now opened at the Carnegie Science Center. It’s designed to encourage conversation and connection around the issue of mental illness.

People are often afraid to talk about mental illness, but this exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center is helping break the stigma. In fact, one in five adults in the U.S. struggles with mental illness.

“Even if you don’t know directly that someone is struggling with mental health, you probably know someone who is,” says Jason Brown, the Henry Buhl, Jr. Director of Carnegie Science Center. “So this is designed to facilitate conversations.”

This touring exhibit focuses on the seven most common mental illnesses including depression, PTSD and eating disorders. It explains the science of what’s happening in the brain and shares personal stories of people experiencing the illnesses.

Thirteen-year-old Arya Zevallos from Upper Saint Clair visited the exhibit with her family and relatives who were visiting from Atlanta. “It’s helpful for people who struggle with these things to feel seen and to feel like people understand and that they can go to people and that they’re not alone with what they’re struggling with,” she says.

“Mental Health: Mind Matters” is designed for anyone 11 and older, though much of it is appropriate for younger children. Any area with sensitive material is clearly labeled.

A “worry shredder” is a symbolic way of releasing stress and anxiety, where you can express your concerns and watch them fall away. The younger kids will especially like the area designed to teach how movement and exercise can help with mental health.

“That exhibit applies to the ‘move a muscle, change a thought’ mentality, where if you struggle with things in your head, it can help to do physical exercise to escape the anxiety,” Brown says. “That’s a great place where kids can see if they’re stressed out or anxious about something, it gives strategies for dealing with it.”

Another area explores the history of the treatment of mental illness, including Freud’s theories from the 1870’s and the evolution of mental health. Visitors to the exhibit have found it illuminating and a great conversation starter for people of all ages.

“I think it helps to normalize the discussion of mental illness and help kids identify when they have an issue to talk about,” says parent Amber Zevallos, who experienced the exhibit with her teenagers.

“Being able to learn about it, you see the reality of it,” says Amber’s daughter Arya.” So if you see that, and you (think): I know someone who says they struggle with this. Is that really what they’re going thru? You’re able to speak to them. You can come to me.”

Every Wednesday and Saturday, local mental health organizations will be at the exhibit to talk with visitors. It’s all included with admission and will be open until mid-August.