Abbey Park High School students shine a light on mental health with powerful art installation
As part of Mental Health Week, students at Abbey Park High School created a thought-provoking art installation that took centre stage in the school’s main foyer. Entirely student-led, the project brought together members of the Safety and Well-Being team and the Art Club, who collaborated from start to finish – conceptualizing, planning and building the installation themselves.
The result was Invisible People, a moving piece that aims to raise awareness around the often-hidden nature of mental health struggles. The students wrote the following Artist Statement to accompany the installation:
This installation, Invisible People, is a quiet reminder that even when we can't see what someone is going through, it doesn't mean nothing is happening beneath the surface.
This installation displays the invisible struggles many of us carry — the thoughts, emotions and experiences that can make us feel unseen, even in a room full of people.
It represents those who often feel invisible—sitting alone, overlooked in crowds, or silently carrying emotional burdens that go unnoticed.
Each space occupied by an "invisible person" invites YOU, the viewer, to pause and consider what we so often fail to see: the internal struggles, silent battles and quiet resilience of others.
Mental health doesn’t always have visible signs. Sometimes, a smile hides stress. Silence can mean someone is feeling overwhelmed. This piece is here to gently say: you're not alone, and your feelings matter and you have nothing to hide.
Consider, who around us might be needing support? Who might need a kind word, or simply to be noticed? Checking in with someone – even with a small gesture – can make a big difference.
This work is about building awareness, but also building connections. It encourages us to look out for one another, speak openly about how we feel, and create a community where it's okay to ask for help.
Let’s make the invisible visible – with empathy, kindness and the courage to care.
The installation not only invited reflection from viewers but also had a personal impact on the students who created it.
“Because sometimes on the inside you feel empty and it felt playful to build and put together which made me feel full,” says Channing, a Grade 9 student.
“Some people want to feel invisible, but they can't because they are so noticed from other people,” adds Maya, a Grade 9 student.
This initiative at Abbey Park HS is a strong example of how student creativity and compassion can come together to foster understanding and support for mental health.
The HDSB is committed to supporting well-being in all aspects, ensuring students can thrive academically, physically, socially and emotionally. To learn more about the mental health and well-being supports available, visit the Mental Health & Well-Being webpage.
