A PHOTOGRAPHY club exploring the devastating effects of mental health disorders has launched in Meirionnydd.

The Wolf Photography International Camera Club (WPICC) opened at the Red Lion, Dinas Mawddwy, over the weekend.

In 2013, Villayat ‘Wolf’ Sunkmanitu launched a series of rolling exhibitions to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and to promote creativity as a coping mechanism for disability.

His poetry raised awareness of what living with PTSD feels like, while his photography demonstrated his escape from the ‘Chains of PTSD’.

His exhibitions allowed him to interact with and listen to other people with disabilities, civilians and veterans alike and he was made aware of similar problems being experienced by others but on a wider scale.

“People were opening up at the exhibitions by either leaving comments in the guestbook, through social media or talking to me direct,” said Villayat.

“Some people thought that PTSD only affected veterans.

“I spoke to some people that described symptoms of PTSD whose symptoms started after incidents as wide ranging as sexual abuse, to bullying and road traffic accidents.

“There is still a lot of ignorance about mental health-related conditions, not just PTSD, in society.

“I was given examples of that ignorance as people relayed stories of how they’d been mistreated by professionals and, unfortunately, it included police officers, paramedics, solicitors, barristers, doctors, GPs, nurses and NHS admin staff in parts of the East Midlands.

“There is also a tremendous amount of ignorance about the link between physical health and mental health. If people with mental health conditions are isolated and stay indoors without any exercise, they can develop physical health issues.

“If active, social people, find themselves isolated because of a physical injury they can develop a mental health condition.”

The WPICC officially opened at the Red Lion, Dinas Mawddwy, on Wednesday, 7 March, at 7pm in association with the Mawddwy Community Council.

To join the camera club, please search for WPICC on Facebook and answer three questions.

See this week’s north papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now