Date

5-2019

Department

School of Visual and Performing Arts

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA)

Chair

Anthony Todd Smith

Keywords

Biblical Counseling, Comics, Mental Health, Illustration, Character Design, Webcomics

Disciplines

Art and Design | Arts and Humanities | Counseling | Illustration

Abstract

The second leading cause of death for the ages of 10-24 is suicide, a statistic that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows has steadily risen since 1999. Although it is seldom spoken about in mental health circles, an enmity seems to exist between Christianity and modern psychology in regards to mental illness and how it should be treated; this enmity could be preventing helpful Christian-based principles from being shared with the at-risk population while simultaneously excluding Christians from a conversation they need to be a part of.

Interestingly, further research shows that the at-risk demographic overlaps significantly with those most likely to buy or read comic books: people ages 13 to 24. If there is an overlap between comic readers and the at-risk population and if there could be useful information to be shared from Christian teachings with those populations, then perhaps exploring Christian-themed solutions to mental illness through comic books might be of benefit to both communities.

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