‘Art saved my life’: Mental health advocate Corina Graham shares inspiring journey

The Warwick woman has turned her own heartbreaking experiences into a secure support network for those battling mental health concerns and is fighting to break the stigma around the issue.

Corina Graham has combined her own lifelong battle with mental illness and passion for art to create a support network for members of the community going through similar struggles. Photo: NRM

A Warwick woman has combined her own lifelong battle with mental illness and passion for art to create a support network for members of the community going through similar struggles.

Enduring an onslaught of physical and emotional abuse from four years old, Corina Graham said she was left with post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and bipolar as an adult.

Mrs Graham said her struggle continued to escalate to the point where she was unable to leave her bedroom and had regular suicidal thoughts for three years.

“I couldn’t even cuddle my own children, I felt like poison was coming out of me and felt like if I touched my children I would contaminate them. I wanted to die and protect everyone around me,” she said.

This extreme mental battle culminated in her extended stay in an acute mental health unit where she underwent 11 rounds of electric shock treatment.

During the two six-week stints in hospital, Mrs Graham said a weekly art class involving card-making and other craft activities was the only thing that sparked joy inside her at such a difficult time.

“When you do art, you get out of your own head and are not thinking of your own issues and become more creative,” she said.

Corina Graham co-founded the Warwick Demented Artists Group and has become a mental health advocate in the Warwick community. Photo: NRM

Mrs Graham said her suffering did not define her, but she was proud of her recovery journey and thankful it led her to art.

“Art is so underrated and such a powerful tool. It absolutely saved my life, I have a whole different trajectory, I’m just not the same person I once was,” she said.

“Art gives me hope and confidence and just so much, I can't even imagine not doing art every day of my life.”

While still focusing on her own mental health, Mrs Graham supports others facing similar struggles in the community through the Warwick Demented Artists Group, a non-profit organisation she founded in 2014.

Mrs Graham volunteers her time to helping those experiencing mental health issues, saying she’s only ever a call away whether it’s during the day or at 3am.

“I’ve been there and know the suffering and never want anyone to go through that so if I can help someone not suffer as much then that’s my reward,” she said.

Mrs Graham also hopes to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness through the Demented Artists Group.

“I want people to be able to talk about it and for there to be no judgment and more facilities and awareness,” she said.

Mrs Graham has now been put forward as a possible recipient of the Queensland Community Achievement award, recognising her dedication to supporting people experiencing mental illness in the region.

She joins Warwick Gliding Club member and aviation leader Valerie Wilkinson and domestic violence and community advocate Fiori Cruz as Warwick nominees.

The winner will be announced in November.

Originally published as ‘Art saved my life’: Mental health advocate Corina Graham shares inspiring journey