A short piece of fiction on the theme of addiction that I wrote in 2019: My cheek felt shredded against wet sandy grains. A web of washed up salty hair clung sorely to my forehead like jellyfish tentacles. And still you winked at me. But I wouldn’t lift my arm for you. Not this time. … Continue reading Short story: I needed you
It REALLY couldn’t happen to a nicer…Hipster
Anxiety can happen to anyone...even my 'should've been a reality TV star' friend Paul
Shameful illnesses – who made up the rules?
Who made up the rules about what illnesses or symptoms should be shameful?
It shouldn’t have taken a death to suspend the Jeremy Kyle show
The public’s health and societal problems are increasingly being used as bait to rake in the viewers. Why isn’t the media doing more to remove shows that carry mental health risks? Here's my latest piece for the Independent which came in light of the tragic news that a participant from the Jeremy Kyle Show died … Continue reading It shouldn’t have taken a death to suspend the Jeremy Kyle show
Ignoring people like Piers Morgan is a luxury only some of us can afford
Whilst you might be in a good place with your mental health or at least the support you have around you, others may not be. How do you choose to ignore something if you don’t know whether or not it’s real? Challenge him. He might not be worth it, but the people having to listen to his bullshit might be.
Have yourself a merry crafty Christmas
I've been very lucky to work with mental health charity, Mind, over the last few months and without doubt, one of the nicest projects I've picked up is Crafternoon. Mind's Crafternoon is a fundraising event whereby supporters sign up as 'hosts' and hold a Crafternoon with friends / colleagues / neighbours who all get together … Continue reading Have yourself a merry crafty Christmas
How should we talk about mental health in schools – Metro
Given I'm not the expert on this, I spoke to a couple of brilliant people who know what they are talking about for my latest Metro piece. Natasha Devon, MBE - an incredibly proactive mental health campaigner who writes for the Times Educational Supplement, and Claire Kelly, a director from the Mindfulness in Schools project. … Continue reading How should we talk about mental health in schools – Metro
5 ways I’m going to use mindfulness to improve my Christmas
This is my latest Metro UK piece - and very apt given how absolutely worn out I am right now after a challenging week! So I was pleasantly reminded of this advice that I wrote a few weeks back for Metro's Christmas lifestyle blogs. It involves wintry walks, mindful eating and the obligatory scented candle. … Continue reading 5 ways I’m going to use mindfulness to improve my Christmas
People are leaving hospital too soon – but is it acute inpatient care that they need?
I just wanted to share a link to a comment piece by the lovely Rachael Byrne, executive director of new models of care at Home Group. It's in response to the stats released by Mind last week about the numbers of people who feel they are leaving mental health hospital too soon. Rachael asks if … Continue reading People are leaving hospital too soon – but is it acute inpatient care that they need?
A series of unfortunate stereotypes – the book!
Hello lovely people! So I'm massively excited today to share my new book cover and links to pre order A series of unfortunate stereotypes - Naming and Shaming Mental Health Stigmas. Of course I don't name and shame people (just Piers Morgan and Katie Hopkins - but they don't count) but I do discuss the … Continue reading A series of unfortunate stereotypes – the book!
