When I was doing my show on mental health at the Edinburgh Festival last year I would put up wee notices about it along with a song about mental health. I think it might be a good thing to do here on the blog too. Perhaps one a week. So here's the first one. A… Continue reading Songs About Mental Well Being. No.1 Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Above is the letter I found in my collection bucket last year from Elle. Facebook sent me one of those reminders today that it was a year ago this event happened. Happy anniversary Elle. It's to my great regret that things are not good for Elle just now and she is battling the most debilitating… Continue reading Fix our NHS. Fix Us. (Happy Anniversary Elle.) John.
I took some fucking lorazepam earlier (!!) so I'm using a wee lull in the stress levels to post up quickly and say thank you for all the good wishes you've sent my way. I really appreciate it. Stress levels are constantly maxed at the moment - the stresses of being on the ward (I'm very noise-sensitive),… Continue reading Thank you (Elle)
As I mentioned previously I used to write a blog called Dissent prior to this one. I'm just re-sharing some favourite posts. This one was about Christmas but I think the intent of it is relative at any point of the year. Christmas is nearly upon us, and all the good things that brings will… Continue reading An Out of Season Thought About Christmas (John)
I've had an acute mental health diagnosis for 24 years. Initially misdiagnosed with schizophrenia aged 24, then changed to Bipolar One around the age of 30. One element I recall, from those early encounters with chronic mental health, is that the condition and the words associated with it really messed with the core identity of… Continue reading Who We Are.
A quick thought this morning. It's all very well me making pronouncements about reaching back in but unless I'm prepared to be specific, it's not of much use to anyone. Here's one way I think it might be possible to reach back in. When we meet our friends, usually the first thing we ask while we give… Continue reading Ask Twice (Elle)
Sadly Stuart Adamson took his own life after a long battle with alcohol and depression. There’s no need for details you can read about it online. That hits me with a thump even now. (JOHN) I’m going to tip things up with this idea too – the people who should be best at this –… Continue reading Never Alone. PT2. (John)
The suicide of Anthony Bourdain this week has been much on the mind of so many people. Every time a suicide happens we seem to revisit the same feelings as if they were new - once again we wish that he might have found a way to reach out and ask for help – we… Continue reading Reaching Back In (Elle)
I think John's latest post is his best yet – and i'm chuffed that he might think i've got some of that punk attitude. Coming from John, whose sense of inclusivity i've always admired, I take it as a big complement. So i've been thinking hard about inclusivity. I'm going to get a bit philosophical… Continue reading Inclusivity (Elle)
It took me a long time of 'doing' psychiatry before I truly understood that I'm surrounded by a 'support network'. As my best friend told me a long time ago, I'm a bit of an island of one. My default position when I'm troubled or ill is to take myself off and be alone with… Continue reading Support Networks (Elle)
Mind Palaver 