Can science museums help us talk about mental health? It's an intriguing question, and one that's gaining traction in the field of museum studies. As science museums move beyond their traditional roles as communicators of established knowledge, they are increasingly engaging with difficult societal issues, including mental health. This shift is particularly important given the growing recognition of mental health as a key challenge of our time. Research from the World Health Organization highlights the rising levels of loneliness, social isolation, and mental distress globally, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to addressing these issues. My own research, conducted over the past decade in various countries, including Canada, Portugal, the United States, and Finland, supports the idea that science museums can become emotional sites where mental health is approached in meaningful ways. One compelling example of this transformation is the mental health exhibition hosted by the Science Museum of Minnesota in 2018. The exhibit, originally developed by Heureka, the Finnish science center, engaged with mental health through personal narratives, immersive environments, and displays designed to help visitors express emotions and understand scientific perspectives. The Finnish Central Association for Mental Health and psychiatrists were involved in the scientific advisory board, and they worked with "peer experts" - individuals with lived experiences of mental health problems - to ensure the exhibit was sensitive and impactful. The exhibit was organized around three main themes: "The Labeled," "How does it feel," and "Go Crazy!" The Minnesota staff had to navigate cultural context and ethical considerations, adapting the exhibit to better reflect local racial and cultural diversity. This process involved moments of tension and uncertainty, what researchers in the Museum of Science in Boston call "productive struggle." The exhibit's title was changed from "Heureka Goes Crazy" to "Mental Health: Mind Matters" to avoid negative connotations and better resonate with the American audience. This example highlights the importance of representation, social inclusion, and care in exhibiting mental health. My research also revealed that emotions are central to how exhibitions are designed, curated, and experienced by staff. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscores the role of science museums in addressing mental health. In Portugal, the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (National Museum of Science & Natural History) had to rethink its social role during the pandemic, as mental health became an important area of focus. The museum joined Portugal's Social Prescription Project, which involves health-care professionals recommending cultural and community activities as part of mental-health support. This shift in the museum's agenda has transformed it into a space where people experiencing loneliness, isolation, or mental-health challenges can find support and connection. These examples suggest that science museums can play a more active role in public engagement than traditionally acknowledged. They can help build conditions for connection, understanding, empathy, and collective well-being. By embedding care, emotions, and ethical responsibility into curatorial practice, science museums can become powerful catalysts for change. They can facilitate conversations about difficult and sensitive topics, fostering a deeper understanding of mental health and its impact on society. This transformation is not limited to single exhibitions but can permeate institutional values and broader practice. As science museums continue to evolve in their approach to mental health, they can contribute significantly to addressing this critical challenge of our time.
