The Images of Depression By Ellie Satre

The pencil sketch depicts a bloodied hand holding a mirror shard reflecting the skull of the beholder.

Image Description: The pencil sketch depicts a bloodied hand holding a mirror shard reflecting the skull of the beholder. In my mind, this is what depression looks like. It is something that on the outside you only look hurt – maybe a little bloodied. However, when you look upon yourself, you feel nothing, a void that feels so close to death. My sketch depicts the morbidness and the pain that clinical depression can cause in a person and that it can be anyone.

Just see me

Just See Me
By Ellie Satre

Sometimes I wish I could just die.


It seems so easy…

…the flick of a switch…
…the push of a button…


If only it were as easy as closing your eyes

wishing it to be.

I don’t really understand it—
practically never, if I’m being truthful.


The voices.
So many voices,
myself but not at all.


The weight,
a monster

pulling

down

my spirit.

Not a comforting weight
like a dog on your lap,


but a deadly weight


that drags,

slowing you down,

whispering

you’re not good enough,

you’d be better off dead.

SHUT UP!

That’s what I tell it,
but it doesn’t listen.


“You’re fine. Just sleep it off.”


That’s what others say,
but they don’t understand.


“I’ve been sad before. What’s the difference?”


I try to explain:
I can’t catch my breath,


all these worries

An image of a concrete poem (also known as a shape poem) designed in the silhouette of a bowl.

(Image description: The outline of the vessel is formed by the phrase “Filling my body to the brim” curving along the bottom and sides. The “steam” rising from the top and the entire center of the cup are filled with the word “Worries” repeated many times in various fonts, sizes, and orientations, creating a cluttered and overwhelming visual effect.)

“If this is how you feel
I don’t know how to help you.
Just suck it up, ig.”


Little do you know
you make the tears heavier
and the weight more painful.


I can’t stop it,
but you keep making it worse.


If I don’t know how to explain it,
just be there for me.
Don’t belittle me.
Don’t think of me as less.


“Oh pobrecito.”


I don’t need your pity.
I have monsters, just like you—
they just speak louder
and weigh more.


My feelings are real.
You might not see it on the outside.
I might hide it with a mask,

but it’s cracking
more and more every day.


It’s not always bad,
but it’s still real.


Just see me for who I am.
I beg of you.

About the Author

Chinese 18 year old girl with short black hair.

Image Description: A young woman with short, dark hair and a slight smile poses outdoors. She is wearing a light blue ribbed tank top with thin black straps, a black choker necklace with a silver snake pendant, and a smartwatch. The background shows a shallow, rippling body of water with a sandy bottom.

Artist Bio: My name is Ellie Satre. I’m currently an 18 year old freshman at Indiana University Indianapolis. I’m currently studying Biology and Forensic Science so that I may go to Med School to become a forensic pathologist. While I don’t have a physical disability, I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years. I have struggled with suicidal ideologies and I used to put up with those that wouldn’t help, listen, or understand. Now, I choose to surround myself with those that are willing to listen and those who are willing to understand and help. I believe that everyone deserves respect and for their voices to be heard. Mental disabilities can be greatly overlooked and put off as something that doesn’t matter as much because it’s “all in the head.” The only thing that does it make the voices louder. Everyone deserves a voice. Everyone deserves care. With my whole heart, I believe this. 

Disability Empowerment By Samantha Horning

About two years ago, I was struggling with major depressive disorder and my recently diagnosed panic disorder with agoraphobia. It was my senior year, and I could barely drive or go to school without breaking down. During this time, I was also applying for college. I had applied to IU Indianapolis and IU Online. I thought I would have to attend college online, because it was a struggle just to leave my house, but I knew I couldn’t give up on getting higher education.

A few months after being accepted to IU Indianapolis, I found out I had earned a full-ride scholarship via the IUI Honors College. The scholarship required me to live on campus, something that felt completely impossible. Earning such a prestigious scholarship was an amazing feeling, but I also felt like maybe I was taking the spot of someone else who was more capable. After all, I couldn’t even go to the store without having a panic attack.

I applied for accommodations via IUI’s Accessible Education Services, which would help me learn and take tests in a more comfortable environment and have flexibility for mental illness-related absences. These accommodations helped me feel more confident about attending classes and living on campus. However, I knew I would have to do more if I was going to be able to go to college and live on campus

A college building with a graduation cap in the foreground.

I was able to graduate from high school with technical and academic honors (and a lot of absences during my senior year). After graduation, I started to visit the IU Indianapolis campus with my family to get used to being there in an attempt to appease my panic disorder. The
scholarship I received also required me to move in a week early and go on a retreat with my fellow scholarship recipients. At the time, this retreat was extremely scary, but looking back, being on campus early with fellow honors students helped me get acclimated to campus and
make a few friends. The retreat included traveling around campus and around downtown Indianapolis. I had to force myself to go, but it helped me immensely.

I credit Accessible Education Services, the IU Indianapolis Honors College, and my family for why I was able to attend college despite the struggles I was facing. The support I received helped me feel empowered to achieve my goals, no matter the obstacles along the way. I sincerely hope that other young people facing mental illness or disorders do not give up on their goals, because there are always resources and services that can help them.

I am majoring in psychology and plan to go to graduate school for clinical psychology, because I want to help people who are facing mental illness overcome their struggles and achieve their goals. Diagnoses can sometimes feel like a life sentence, but there are always people there to support and empower you.

About the Author

Samantha at the induction ceremony for Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. It is a headshot of a young woman with long, straight black hair and clear-framed glasses, smiling subtly

Image Description: Samantha at the induction ceremony for Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies. It is a headshot of a young woman with long, straight black hair and clear-framed glasses, smiling subtly.

Artist Bio: Samantha is an undergraduate student at Indiana University Indianapolis. She is completing her BS in psychology with minors in neuroscience and sociology. She is passionate about helping people impacted by mental illness, addiction, and domestic violence. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology.

Digital Collage By Kristianna Eaton

A vibrant, digital collage featuring a winding road that stretches from the top center toward the horizon, surrounded by various symbolic images and text boxes..

Image Description: On the left, a large, halftone-style illustration of a mouth is open as if speaking, positioned above a hand writing in a journal. Text boxes nearby read “Patience for me when I’m struggling” and “A safe space for me to share and open up about my feelings.”

The center features a cluster of microphones, a globe with a blue flower growing out of it, and a teal flag. Text boxes in this area say “Realizing not every problem has the same solution” and “Making accommodations to advocate for my success.”

The right side shows a photograph of a group of people sitting on the front steps of a brownstone building. Overlapping this are stylized, flat-color icons of two people hugging and a simple red house. Text boxes here read “Clear communication and guidelines that help to benefit me” and “Creating community where I can feel empowered.”

About the Author

A headshot of a woman with long dark hair wearing a black top, smiling slightly at the camera, with a brick building in the background.

Image Description: A headshot of a woman with long dark hair wearing a black top, smiling slightly at the camera, with a brick building in the background.

“Kristianna Eaton is currently studying Marketing at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Indianapolis. While navigating her academic journey, she manages anxiety, and with the support of Indiana University’s Academic Excellence Services (AES) program, she has been able to thrive academically. With the resources provided by AES, Kristianna has found strategies that allow her to succeed and plans to graduate in May 2026.”

Support: A Collage By Isaiah Thomison

A large, colorful collage on a white background, titled "Isaiah Artwork," featuring various photos, drawings, and text labels connected by blue lines

Artist Statement: “These are my friends, family and teachers. These are important people in my life because they help me learn and grow. I want everyone to see how special they are. 

ArtMix is where I do Community Class and art with my friends. People like Emily, Brittany, and Molly help me make art projects and work on my art skills. WALLS lets me go into the community and go places like the movies or the park. They support me by being there when I try new things in the community. Transportation always gets me where I need to be and gets me there safely. In Special Olympics my coaches help me focus and get better at my sports, my teammates help me compete and do my best to reach my goals. My family supports me to be active and healthy and to learn things. We have our different opinions but we all love each other. “

About the Author

A smiling young man in a grey sweater vest and a red bow tie

Image Description: A headshot of a smiling young man with short dark hair and a light goatee. He is wearing a white button-down shirt, a grey sweater vest, and a bright red bow tie. He is positioned against a dark, textured brown background that resembles a wooden slat blind.

Artist Bio: Isaiah is a 28‑year‑old twin whose creativity, energy, and love for community shine in everything he does. A dedicated participant of ArtMix for more than a decade, he expresses himself through art and enjoys sharing his talents with others. Isaiah is an active athlete with Boone County Special Olympics, competing in softball, basketball, corn hole, bowling, and track. He also loves connecting with friends at ILADD game nights and being involved in his community.

Family is at the heart of who Isaiah is. He is a proud son, brother, and nephew, but his favorite role is being an uncle to his 7‑year‑old niece. The two of them bond over Super Mario Brothers and making art together. Isaiah’s joyful spirit, kindness, and love for spending time with family and friends make him a cherished part of every community he joins.