AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) - Mental health awareness month is right around the corner, but Sumter County High School has already gotten a head start.

The art students were tasked with creating a painting based on one mental health disorder. Their teacher, Ms. Williams, assigned this project to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote a deeper understanding of mental health issues.

“How could you show me this disorder in a painting form? That’s where this idea originated from,” said Letitia Williams, Sumter County art teacher.

Miss Williams’s Art 1 class consists of freshmen through seniors. She says her freshmen are just starting out, unsure of what to expect, while her seniors are getting ready to graduate and start a new life. Both situations can be scary.

“I just wanted them to understand that there are different levels to feelings, different levels to emotions. I wanted to teach them tolerance, and compassion, and understanding for everyone!” said Williams.

One art student, Jaleigha Clerkley, said the project taught her that you really truly never know what someone else may be going through. Her painting, titled “The Void” was based on Persistent Depressive Disorder, or Dysthymia.

“Learning more about mental illness, especially the mental illness I chose to paint, it made me realize that there aren’t a lot of things I know about people who suffer with it and how easy it is for them to hide it,” said Clerkley.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but you can still scan the QR code next to each painting to hear the students’ story behind their art.

“I wanted to create an interactive experience. When you’re looking at the painting, you can hear the artist actually explain their thought process,” said Williams.

The student’s art will be on display and available for purchase until the end of next week. All proceeds will go directly to the artist.

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