INTRODUCTION
An overview of the project, the goals, and values
From the beginning, I decided that the purpose of the project is to increase awareness of suicide in the healthcare profession. I wanted to create a space where everyone who has been affected by similar traumatic events can feel their loved ones are being honored, and know that there are others out there.
For the general public, I wanted people to see and understand the problem and its lasting effects on others, as well as the healthcare profession (and as a result, the patients).
LET ME SHINE SOME LIGHT ON THIS
Where it All Began
My dad, Dr. Andreas van Zyl, studied to become a general practitioner in South Africa at the University of Stellenbosch. He knew he wanted to be a doctor and help others, which turned into a passion. In the system, passion turned into burnout. Multiple occurences culminated into a stressful moment of his career, when he decided to take his own life.
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I discovered that I am not alone in this situation, finding out more about issues in the North American medical system that has led to and still causes tragedies. It got me reading more about the medical system structures/processes, mental health amongst healthcare professionals, and the different ways to cope with burnout.
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Speaking to others, and hearing their pain, made me feel a need to look for something more... As much as I appreciate the steps being taken, I felt that there is an emotional aspect missing. Traumatic events are memorialized across the world to honor those gone and help the survivors manage their grief. For healthcare professionals, helping so many people, also deserve a memorial to recognize their work in the field, and acknowledge suicide as a tragedy (note: they do exist... but none for suicide).
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This project is an evolving journey to understand loss, grief, and how people remember. My intentions evolved from trying to directly fix a problem, to an acceptance of what has happened, to an understanding of the complexities in the project. The changes became a reflection of the changes in grief itself. There aren’t really stages, it was all over the place, always fluctuating, but I find a way to work with it.
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After death, every memory still exists. It can culminate into many different forms. I decided to turn these particular memories into little lights. Each one helps to make a path to follow in the darkness.
INSPIRATION
My father, who was a physician, died by suicide in 2020. I was inspired to start this project to heal and raise awareness.
PERSONAL GOAL
Due to the personal and difficult nature of the project, I made a personal goal to care for myself and create a work-life balance.
FUTURE GOAL
This project helped spark a passion for mental health that I want to take with me in my career. Each conversation led me to understand that, no matter my career choice, I want to personally help people in any way possible.
VISION
Change the culture and structure of the Canadian healthcare system
A greater vision, that would go beyond this project, is to change the structure and culture in the healthcare system to decrease overall rates of suicide, suicidal ideation, burnout, and depression.
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This extends beyond the medical system as well, as we continue to shine a light on the importance of mental health alongside physical health.
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While I am not in the healthcare profession myself, I do think it is also in the hands of everyone to acknowledge the problem to improve the overall quality of our healthcare, and help heal our healers.
MANIFESTO
Outlining my intentions as a designer in the studio and beyond
Face life as it is. Face design problems as they are. Complexities and all.Â
Go at it with care, empathy and love, for yourself and for others. Design is built on managing your time, taking care of your health so that you can succeed.Â
Design is complicated, and so are people! Let’s sit with it and work with it for the best possible outcome at this moment in time.