Mental health in the frame

artist Guler Altunbas in front of her new painting at Sadie Black. (Julie Sucksmith)

A painting encouraging viewers to reflect on and seek support for their own mental health concerns has taken pride of place at an Albion cafe.

Melbourne visual artist Güler Altunbas created the artwork, which is on display at Perth Avenue’s Sadie Black Cafe, as part of North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network’s (NWMPHN) suicide prevention program.

As part of the program, which is known as Art Bomb, NWMPHN commissions artists with lived experience of suicide-related mental health issues to produce new works that encourage viewers to reflect, and seek support, for their own mental health concerns.

Cafe owner Meaghan Blackwell took delivery of the painting last week. As part of the project, filmmaker Danielle Karalus joined Güler, Meaghan and a support crew to record a short film about the artists.

It will be ready later this month.

If you or anyone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au