On Exhibit: Deconstructing Stigma at Rhode Island College
November 4, 2025
We’re excited to share our powerful public storytelling exhibit at Rhode Island College (RIC), bringing faces and stories of people living with mental health challenges into an everyday space where thousands can see them.
Hosted in partnership with the college’s Counseling Center, the installation features striking portraits and deeply personal narratives from individuals who have experienced mental health challenges firsthand. Each story invites students and faculty to reflect, connect, and recognize that mental health affects us all.
“College is a time of incredible transition, and with that comes real emotional challenges,” says Cristina Costa, director of RIC’s Counseling Center.
“Prioritizing mental health on campus isn’t just important—it’s essential. When we normalize conversations around mental well-being, we empower students to seek support, build resilience, and thrive both academically and personally.”
Since its debut, Deconstructing Stigma has appeared in airports, hospitals, and campuses across the country and around the world, sparking dialogue and reducing stigma for millions of travelers, patients, and community members.
“Learning can take many forms, and we believe that reading about real-life experiences with conditions such as depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress is the best way to help people understand them while developing compassion for those who are struggling,” says Scott J. O’Brien, director of Education Outreach at McLean Hospital and co-founder of Deconstructing Stigma.
“We’re very excited to partner with RIC and are very grateful for their willingness to allow us to share the stories of our brave volunteers with their community.”
Learn more about the Deconstructing Stigma mobile exhibit and how you can bring our storytelling exhibit to a location near you!
