This Makeup Artist Is Challenging People to Wear Their Mental Illnesses

Beauty blogger Yasaman Gheidi is bringing visibility to mental illness in a beautiful way. On Monday, the 27-year-old makeup artist known online as lilmoonchildd, launched the “Inside Out Challenge,” a social media-based challenge which asks participants to visualize their mental illness using makeup.

Join the #InsideOutChallenge community on The Mighty here.

“This project is about changing the way we approach mental illness and removing the stigma attached, which begins with talking about it,” Gheidi told The Mighty. “For many people it’s not easy to share a side of oneself that very few people, if any, get to see. It is challenging to look within yourself and explore the emotions and mental struggles that are often hidden away.”

Inspired by the Disney-Pixar movie “Inside Out,” Gheidi’s “Inside Out Challenge” aims to provide a safe and creative way for people living with mental illnesses to share their experience living with conditions like anxiety and depression. Kicking off the challenge, Gheidi posted a YouTube video of a makeup tutorial in which she uses makeup on half of her face to illustrate what depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — mental illnesses Gheidi had been diagnosed with — would look like if they were visible conditions.

“For a long time I quietly struggled with mental illness due to the social stigmas and fear of being further alienated,” the Vancouver, Canada-based artist said, noting the discrimination she has faces because of her sexuality and race. “Raising awareness about mental illness is so important because of the number of people who quietly suffer. Mental illness should be treated the same as any other physical illness — those afflicted should not be judged or left with little help.”

Those interested in participating in the challenge can share their makeup selfies on social media using the hashtag #insideoutchallenge.

I participated in @lilmoonchildd ‘s #insideoutchallenge which is bringing awareness about MENTAL HEALTH. The “Inside Out Challenge” is artistically expressing how some of us feel on a day to day basis. Some who quietly suffer. For everyone who struggles with this, you are a BRAVE soul. You are not alone in this battle.❤ #positivevibes #awareness #mentalillness #deppression #selflove #makeup #art #makeuplover #plussize #bodypositive #effyourbeautystandards

A photo posted by @sophie_izq on Jan 10, 2017 at 4:55pm PST

“As I created my first video I was flooded with feelings of self-doubt, worrying that others wouldn’t like it and perhaps I should just abandon the idea,” she added, urging others to participate. “Although I felt vulnerable, I also found great strength in knowing I am not the only one… This challenge is for everyone, regardless of whether you live with mental illness or not. Let’s start the change – let’s remove the stigma – let’s talk about it.”

Lead image via boo_bethany and lilmoonchildd.