Discovery Place launches mental health exhibit presented by Atrium Health

CHARLOTTE — Discovery Place in Uptown has partnered with Atrium Health to launch a new exhibit that focuses on mental health.

The exhibit was planned before the pandemic, but organizers said it’s coming together at a time when it’s most important.

The Mental Health: Mind Matters exhibit explores the science behind feelings and how they are experienced.

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“There’s something really satisfying about that manifestation of taking something and taking the worry away,” said Heather Norton, Discovery Place chief science officer. “It’s about starting to build empathy, creating space for language and conversation,” she said.

It shows what it’s like to live with conditions, such as depression, PTSD and schizophrenia.

Atrium Health sponsors the exhibit and the senior medical director of Behavioral Health, Wayne Sparks, said he’s most moved by the people highlighted.

“The powerful ones are the stories because that’s what resonates with other people,” Sparks said.

Sparks said mental illness is common, can impact anyone and is treatable.

He says last year, Atrium Health received 130,000 calls to its mental health hotline.

Sparks said he hopes the exhibit leads even more people seek help.

“I’m hopeful things like this will get people talking,” he said.

For more information on Mental Health: Mind Matters, click here.

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