Dear Donald, I read with interest your comments about the recent shooting in Florida. I can understand your concerns about mentally ill people. I myself live in a country that, according to statistics, has a higher prevalence of mental health issues than the US (in the UK, apparently 1 in 4 of us are 'crazy' … Continue reading Dear Donald – my word, you’re bang on the money this time!
Illustrating mental health
It's around 15 days til publication day - yeay and fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! But you're not on your own with the nerves. After all, to produce a book you work with skilled editors, cover designers, proof readers and, in my case, illustrators. My first book, A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes - Naming and Shaming Mental Health Stigmas … Continue reading Illustrating mental health
Book launch – A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes
On Tuesday 6th March I will be standing in front of a room of people, convinced I am going to pee myself, cringing at the fact I will be charading as an author by signing books and wondering if I ever really had anxiety after all.... Why? Because I have anxiety and I am a … Continue reading Book launch – A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes
We shouldn’t shy away from the ugly side of mental illness
1 in 4 of us experience mental illness at some point in our lives – but its prevalence doesn’t make it an easy ride. We have the US president tackling the ‘stigma’ of guns by blaming mass shootings on mental illness instead. But the image of violent mentally ill people is untrue. According to Time … Continue reading We shouldn’t shy away from the ugly side of mental illness
Good morning Storycampers!
I can barely believe it's been a whole year since I slept in, bodged my eyeliner and didn't have time to wash my hair before dashing to the train station and winging my way to London for the Time to Change storycamp event. But it has. A whole year. And in that year so much … Continue reading Good morning Storycampers!
EastEnders: Is it wrong to portray somebody with mental illness talking to themselves?
This will probably go down like a lead balloon....and I will state right away that I am completely happy to be challenged on this - you might even change my mind...but here goes... I know that there has been upset regarding the Lisa Fowler storyline in EastEnders. Her character returned to the Square and within … Continue reading EastEnders: Is it wrong to portray somebody with mental illness talking to themselves?
Panorama – a prescription for propaganda
So the recent Panorama has caused some controversy. It was entitled 'A prescription for murder' and was supposedly an investigation into the dangerous effects of antidepressants. In my view, it was wholly unfair and served to reinvigorate stigma around medication. Of course, I'm not suggesting that taking SSRIs is a risk free business, and I … Continue reading Panorama – a prescription for propaganda
Stop using mental health as bait
We all love to boo a pantomime baddie, but that's usually because they're stealing a magic lamp or weaving destructive magic spells. We know it's all made up and we know they'll get their comeuppance. But yet again, Katie Hopkins and Piers Morgan are enjoying the boos and hisses by taking their pantomime into real … Continue reading Stop using mental health as bait
Pipe down Piers
There's a charter for those who work in PR, marketing, accountancy and HR. It's to promote responsibility. Yet celebrities - who have a much greater influence than I have, for example, in my PR role - don't have to sign up to anything. So it's kind of about trust and good will. What would you … Continue reading Pipe down Piers
It’s time to start speaking to children about mental health
Last week marked the final hearing in the joint inquiry into the role of education in children's mental health. Among the issues discussed in the inquiry were awareness, training for teachers and support for pupils. I want to focus on that first point. Awareness. Read this article in the independent. For more, follow me on … Continue reading It’s time to start speaking to children about mental health
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