A STUDENT whose brother committed suicide has developed an art project aiming to raise awareness about the issue and help prevent it.

Paul Dunn, a visual arts student at the Greater Brighton Metropolitan college, has created a free quarterly online flip-magazine containing a collection of artwork submitted by people who have been affected by depression or suicide.

Mr Dunn, who is originally from Zimbabwe but now lives in Brighton, had already started working on the project when his younger brother, who was 48, took his own life last year.

The 50-year-old said: “There doesn’t seem to be a platform like this for ordinary artists or people who want to express themselves through art, poetry and pictures.

“That is where the idea for My Story Is came from.

“I have suffered from depression all of my life.

“The ramifications of suicide leave people with so many questions and feelings inside them.

“It affects so many other people.

“It is a big thing to deal with and this really helps.

“I thought I would see if I could get other people to submit their own work too.

“My main focus is to get people talking about it and to get rid of the stigma that is attached to suicide and find ways to prevent this from happening.

“I understand and know what it feels like to be in a dark place as I have been there most of my life, a place of shear pain.

“The expression of one’s deepest emotions is the hope that keeps us alive but which can also be destructive.

“I believe that it is possible to express yourself through art without having to have awkward conversations.”

The not-for-profit My Story Is project aims to encourage people to use art as a method of therapy for their own health and wellbeing.

The online magazine contains poems, photographs and artwork by Mr Dunn and other artists and writers.

The project will also include pages promoting charities and help connect vulnerable people to a number of organisations.

Mr Dunn said he has received a high level of support for his project and has also had help with some of the advertising and marketing associated with his website.

The project has already reached more than 10,500 people since going live.

Mr Dunn is now calling on other artists to submit their artwork to be used on the website.

The online magazine can be viewed by visiting mystoryis.co.uk.