Steve is a software developer and writer, Christina is a receptionist, Cathy is a retail clerk, Gordon is a community volunteer extraordinaire, Wayne is a life coach, Lisa is a cosmetologist and student and Larry is a caregiver.

If you met any one of these individuals on the street, you might never guess what they have in common. Each one of them has fought and triumphed over what most would consider a losing battle – a near devastating mental illness. Each of them has traveled the incredible journey of recovery.

“When folks begin to comprehend that they encounter the mentally ill every day, in workplaces, businesses, offices, in the media and the arts, and among their own family and friends,” says Steve, “and that those people toil at leading normal productive lives while they cope with the conditions that usually make this effort more difficult, their attitudes begin to undergo a corresponding change.”

Now Steve, Christina, and the others have taken the courageous step of representing all those who have labored to regain their lives by talking about their journeys and showing us their faces – the faces of recovery. Their stories and photographs appear in an exhibit entitled Journeys of Recovery sponsored by Kitsap Mental Health Service (KMHS). Kitsap Bank branches around the County will host the exhibit beginning this month. The exhibit is part of KMHS’ campaign to “Change the Face of Mental Illness to Mental Wellness.”

According to Jim Carmichael, President and CEO of Kitsap Bank, “We are very pleased to partner with Kitsap Mental Health Services on this important public awareness campaign. We look forward to hosting the Journeys of Recovery exhibit in our Kitsap area branches, and we salute these brave individuals who, by sharing their own stories, help to break down the stereotypes and stigmas associated with mental illness.”

“Mental illness forces you to face what you fear the most, the loss of your sense of self,” according to Dr. Bea Dixon, Adult Services Director at Kitsap Mental Health. “We at Kitsap Mental Health understand the enormity of the challenge and welcome every opportunity to assist our clients on this arduous road to recovery.”

The exhibit was the brainchild of Dr. Dixon who was inspired when she saw a similar photo essay by photographer, Karyn Carpenter, which focused on local cancer survivors. “This project is about knowledge and sharing,” says Carpenter. “It is offered in the hopes that people with a mental illness, or who care about someone who has one, will find hope that they too, can come through the worst and regain control of their lives.”

Carpenter, a Bainbridge Island resident and well-known photographer, shot the photos in a striking black and white format and interviewed each participant for the stories that accompany each picture. (Her photo essay of cancer survivors, Portraits of Cancer, Stories of Hope, is currently hanging at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton and Virginia Mason Winslow.)

Funding for Journeys of Recovery was made possible by the Munson Family Foundation. Rosemary Tracy, daughter of founder, Ward Munson, and her husband James Tracy, past president and current member of the Kitsap Mental Health Services Corporate Board of Directors, are Bainbridge Island residents and long-time KMHS supporters.

The Journeys of Recovery exhibit will open at Kitsap Bank’s main branch at 619 Bay Street in Port Orchard on January 18 with a reception open to the public on January 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibit will continue through April 12 as follows:

• East Bremerton, 3425 Wheaton Way, February 1-14
• Silverdale, 10488 Silverdale Way, NW, February 15-28
• Kingston, 8190 SR 104, March 1-14
• Poulsbo, 19725 7th Ave., NE, March 15-29
• Bainbridge Island, 10140 NE High School Rd., March 30 – April 12

   KMHS’ “Changing the Face of Mental Illness to Mental Wellness” campaign will continue throughout the coming year. For additional information contact the KMHS Foundation at (360) 415-5871 or Shannon Childs, Vice President/Marketing Director, at Kitsap Bank, (360) 876-5542.