We are living in strange times. With Coronavirus keeping us inside for months, people are getting isolated. We had to go without face-to-face social contact and a lot of our usual activities, many struggled to be productive at home, some lost their jobs. That all on top of the fear of the virus and it's consequences. It's been a tough time for many. Now that we are allowed outside, we have to wear a face mask. The mask covers half our faces and so, hides many expressions and emotions. That's why Robin Willems wanted to put a spotlight on the struggles we hide behind the mask.
Robin is a clinical psychologist, who recently graduated from KU Leuven. On top of the lockdown she is now stuck at home, waiting on a surgery. But she's not one to sit still. She saw so many people around her struggling, her friends, family, teenagers at her internship/work. So she started the 'Under the mask'-campaign. She aims to start a conversation about our mental health and to fight the stigma around it. On Instagram she draws people with their face mask on, along with the struggle(s) they're facing. People are getting the chance to tell their story. The campaign wants to show them that they are not alone in their struggle. Even after the corona period when we don’t have to wear our facemasks anymore many people will put on their mask again. It’s just in a different form; a fake smile, big talk while feeling insecure, hiding behind humor or being anti-social. So the underthemaskcampaign will continue even after Covid has ended.
If you want to participate, you can send in a picture of you wearing a face mask and finish the sentence 'Under the mask she/he/they...'. Send her a message on Instagram or e-mail her at underthemaskcampaign@gmail.com.