A photo exhibit opening next month will give the public a rare glance into the experiences of mental health patients.

'Photo Voice: Can you hear me now?', a project organised by occupational therapists at Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) is giving 15 mental health patients a chance to express themselves through photography. The end product will be on display in City Hall from October 16 to November 4.

Occupational therapist Teresa Law, a project organiser, said: "Art gives a creative voice to people who are often marginalised due to the stigma of mental health.

"Exhibiting art and photography created by our clients gives the community an insight into the experience of people with mental health challenges and a greater appreciation of our client's talents."

The Pembroke Rotary Club recently donated $4,300 to the project, to cover the costs of printing 50 photos on canvas and having them framed.

Ms Law thanked the group for their contribution and said: "Pembroke Rotary's generous support has made this exhibition a reality for our clients."

For project participants like Dennis DeCosta, it has been a good experience.

Mr. DeCosta said: "Being trusted with a camera that wasn't mine was nice and I enjoyed taking a lot of pictures. I like working with other people and getting to know them. I felt I wasn't alone."

The course, which began in spring, was instructed by professional photographers Tamell Simons, of The Royal Gazette, and Neville K. Trott, of the Department of Communications and Information.

According to Mr. Trott, a professional photographer for almost 40 years, the group he had were very enthusiastic.

He said: "They all wanted to do it, especially when they were presented with the cameras."

He continued: "From what I understand they were quite satisfied with what they were doing. And that was the main purpose of the exercise to get them going, show them how the cameras work and let them go out and experiment."

Photo Voice, in collaboration with Mind Frame, an annual exhibition of client art, is produced in partnership with the Bermuda Society of the Arts.