The 12th annual Expressions 2015 show took place this weekend at the Steinbach Arts Council where musicians and artists showcased the talent which helped them on their journey of recovery from a mental health problem.

Chairperson for the event and Outreach Worker at Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, Kim Heidinger,

Kim Heidinger at Expressions 2015 says art and music are only two of the many ways people have helped themselves in the recovery process. Heidinger adds, when reading through the artist and performers biographies the common theme was their art form helped them relax and escape from stressful or challenging situations.

"I am a closet artist," Heidinger says when asked if she was an artist or musician. "I am also a person that struggled with mental health problems. I've had major depression and anxiety disorders and I've had an amazing recovery. Mine didn't include art or music but I did a lot of reading and I took some courses on cognitive behaviour."

Heidinger adds the first part to recovery is accepting that you have a mental health problem and then looking at different forms of recovery including time with family and friends, getting out of the house or back into your church community. She says she feels the stigma is starting to go away and people are becoming more open to talk about their mental health.