The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
Letters to No One is an ongoing virtual project that seeks to establish an online community of empathy and understanding, as well as bringing awareness towards living with mental health issues amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants are invited to anonymously share some of their own personal feelings, fears, or thoughts they are struggling with in this difficult time of global paranoia by writing them down onto a physical paper surface in the format of a “letter to no one”. Each of these will then be uploaded as an image onto the project’s Instagram account to create a virtual library of letters, hopefully allowing each one to feel understood. Not only is the physical act of writing a cathartic experience in itself, but those uncomfortable with sharing their thoughts are also welcome to comment and discuss with others on the contents of this account. As long as the content remains anonymous, it will be accepted. In regards to accessibility, other forms of “letters” including computer processed, or audio recordings are also very welcomed. This project comes from a rather personal place of struggling with my own mood disorders during the pandemic. Quarantine, albeit necessary, has further isolated us and these times of despair has only heightened the symptoms we experience. Through this asynchronous and entirely virtual project, I truly hope to create more discussions around this topic and to provide a safe outlet for those seeking to express their worries. Furthermore, the messages collected through this project may function as a record of the pandemic, as well as a more detailed understanding of how it affects our mental health.
Do not worry, you are definitely not the only one is one of the core messages of this project.