Photos: Salty Dingo/Mindframeimages

Imagery is a powerful thing. The images we use to communicate ideas about mental ill-health, suicide, and alcohol and other drugs can create positive or negative associations and leave a lasting impression with audiences.

■ use images that model hope and support;

■ seek to minimise harm, stigma and discrimination through imagery;

■ aim to inform, support and empower;

■ use images that reflect diversity, including:

■ > ages

■ > genders

■ > cultures and ethnicities

■ > relationships

■ > body shapes and sizes

■ > geographies;

■ use images of people who have personal or lived experience;

■ always ask permission to use images of people with lived experience;

■ depict people accessing support from services or loved ones;

■ consider practical elements such as accessibility or style;

■ consider the context of the work when selecting images; and

■ consider the image’s potential impact.

■ use images that portray hopelessness or negativity;

■ use stereotypes of mentally ill people as a certain age, ethnicity or body type;

■ show images of drug paraphernalia or alcohol;

■ show images of suicide or self-harm;

■ use images that depict a power imbalance (e.g. between counsellor and client);

■ use images that associate mental illness with darkness, pain or violence;

■ use images of people who have passed away without seeking permission from their community;

■ depict people alone; and

■ use images framing mental illness in a negative way – it can perpetuate stereotypes.