Photo legacy helps mentally ill

By Melissa Jackson
BBC News Online health staff

Nina's photo talent was discovered after she died

A former model who took her own life after battling schizophrenia for 17 years left a legacy of photos which her family are putting on show to raise funds for a mental health charity.

Nina Dean developed an interest in photography when she moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s.

Her family have selected some of their favourite pictures, which will go on show at an exhibition in London.

Money raised from the sale of the limited edition prints will be donated to Rethink, which has launched Nina's Fund to raise money to help others with mental illness.

Nina started her career as a model for Dior and Valentino.

She began studying photography in the US after she got married to actor Fred Forrest and moved to LA's infamous Mulholland Drive.

This illness is terrible and there is not enough support for sufferers and their families Alex Palmer, Nina's brother

Within six months of her marriage - in 1985, Nina returned to London.

Family and friends noticed that her behaviour was becoming erratic and that she was very ill.

She was eventually diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sectioned for four years.

When her condition improved, she revived her creative talents and took further photography courses in the capital.

Treasure trove

However, the schizophrenia returned and her condition gradually deteriorated until she took her own life last June, at the age of 41.

After she died, Nina's family found a treasure trove of beautiful photos and discovered her amazing talent.

Nina took many pictures of flowers

Nina's older brother Alex Palmer thought it would be sensible to put his sister's talent to good use to help others with mental illness.

Speaking to BBC News Online, he said: "We had no idea what she had been working on.

"But when I saw these photos I suggested to my mother and brother that we should join forces with a charity and do something with them to help other people.

"This illness is terrible and there is not enough support for sufferers and their families.

"Nina had schizophrenia for 17 years. It was partly the system that let her down and partly the illness.

"There were several times when she begged for help and didn't really get it."

Comfort

After Nina's death, Alex, his mother and his younger brother approached the charity Rethink, which helps people with severe mental illness.

They chose some of their favourite flower photos that Nina had taken and they will feature in an exhibition.

The pictures are all for sale and the proceeds will go to the charity.

Alex said: "Nina's death last June was devastating for my brother Jimmy and I.

The fragile flowers are symbolic of Nina's life

"Our mother died last November, but it was her greatest wish that Nina's photographs be used to help other people affected by severe mental illness, to avoid going through the same process as Nina.

"We all believe that the negative effects of Nina's illness and the impact they had on our family should be turned into something positive.

"It gave me a lot of comfort to see the photos because I realised that in spite of her illness, she still had an eye for beauty and towards the end, her life was far from beautiful."

Rethink's chief executive Cliff Prior said: "We are honoured and delighted that Nina's family have chosen to join forces with Rethink to set up Nina's Fund to celebrate her memory.

"Money raised will be used to campaign to reach people early with the right mental health help and support."

The exhibition is at Alex's furniture shop - Wells Palmer, 1 South Wharf Road, Praed Street, Paddington, from 19 May for two weeks.