My creative piece seeks to depict my personal understanding and experiences with mental illness, whilst also hopefully allowing others some insight into what mental health for a medical student can feel like. It is apparent that the compromised well-being of medical students is a widespread issue, with more than four in 10 students likely to have a minor psychiatric disorder and one in five medical students having considered suicide in the past year. The salient feature of my painting is the doors looming over the protagonist. The use of negative space juxtaposed against the dark colour reflect the uncontrollable sense of doom those with mental illness often experience. Those experiencing depression and anxiety can often feel as though they are in a pit from which they cannot escape, and this sense of misery can manifest in the form of lethargy and tiredness, as exhibited by the body language of the protagonist. The doors in the picture portray the multitude of pathways, choices and doubts that are present in our minds. As a medical student, I feel as though I have been afforded a great opportunity to study a degree many are passionate about. However, with this opportunity I have developed numerous reservations towards my capabilities, the pathways I have chosen and doubts about my identity as a medical student. A constant nagging feeling of being “worse than others” is often present. Over time these doubts and worries can become overwhelming, a point I seek to emphasise through the overlapping vectors of the doors. The consuming nature of a mental illness is further elucidated through the dripping blackness surrounding the protagonist. The positioning of the window in the corner surrounded by locked doors and the use of light colours represent a sense of energy and happiness that feels impossible to obtain when going through periods of compromised mental well-being. Mental illness is still heavily stigmatized, with over 44% of doctors and medical students surveyed by beyond blue agreeing that experiencing depression or anxiety disorder is a sign of weakness and are less likely to appoint doctors with a history of medical illness1. The numerous eyes peering at the protagonist symbolises the judgment of others. This stigma prevalent in the medical community can make it difficult for medical students to admit any signs of psychiatric disorder and seek the relevant help. Destigmatizing mental illness, providing information and making the relevant resources accessible for those suspecting they may have mental illnesses is crucial for improving student well-being.