Let's Talk by Charlie Clift/The Photography Movement

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Lets Talk is a campaign that aims to spark millions of conversations about mental health. By drawing peoples most difficult thoughts on their faces, photographer Charlie Clift and lettering artist Kate Forrester have helped to inspire others to open up about their own mental health. The project is backed by The Photography Movement which aims to spark conversation around mental health and wellbeing through the medium of photography and Mental Health UK. The project features people from all walks of life alongside well-known faces such as Alastair Campbell, Sue Perkins, Anna Richardson, Bryony Gordon and Jordan Stephens. Everyone featured in the project has had mental health difficulties. Charlie interviewed each volunteer to find out how they would describe these in their own words. The artists picked out words and phrases from the interview which they felt best explained each person's experience. On the day of the photoshoot Kate spent a couple of hours hand-lettering these words onto the persons face. Having literally put their toughest thoughts out in the open, Charlie then photographed them whilst they talked about their life, their passions and their difficulties. The project is particularly personal to Charlie because of his history with depression, whilst at University his mental health forced him to drop out for a year. But by opening up and talking to people he was able to seek help and get back on his own feet. He says for the first six months I just stayed inside and ignored the world. I was then given a camera by my parents. Photography got me out of the house and got me back talking to people. I really hope this project can be a way of using my photography to help others who have mental health difficulties. It is also a cause that Kate is passionate about, having several close friends and family members who have struggled with their mental health and continue to do so. She feels that using her lettering to interpret these conversations and add to a growing public awareness of these issues will help reduce the stigma attached to mental illness and give people the confidence to seek help. Its ok to not feel ok. Speak up, lets Talk. www.letstalkcampaign.com www.thephotographymovement.com (Photo by Charlie Clift/The Photography Movement/Contour by Getty Images)