My three year-old daughter stayed in the bath for too long recently and her fingers went all wrinkly, like raisins. I pointed it out lightheartedly and she collapsed into a wailing heap of tears. She was devastated and I don’t blame her. She believed that they would be wrinkly forever; that the smooth fingertips of […]
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How are you? I’m fine. A comic strip on the biggest lie we ever tell from @offwhitecoat
A comic strip from our Community Correspondent Emma Wilson @offwhitecoat who blogs at offwhitecoat.co.uk Nobody likes lying. And there’s certainly nothing about experiencing mental health problems that makes you more likely to be dishonest. But anyone who’s ever struggled with their mental health will understand why you might want to tell this one: “How are you?” […]
It’s a door to your mind: how art helps mental wellbeing
A short film from our Community Correspondent David Bradley You’ve probably seen David’s art on Mind Waves before. His distinctive style has an amazing way of capturing a feeling. In this short film, he talks about how painting helps him express and deal with his feelings. David talks with such honesty, that even if you’ve […]
What’s the most depressing day of the year? The day you have depression #bluemonday
A post from our Project Manager Rosie McIntosh @rosiehopes It’s become tradition to fear “Blue Monday”, the third Monday of January, which apparently is the most depressing day of the year. It makes sense. Over Christmas we’ve spent all our money, gained weight, drunk too much and the weather’s rubbish. Sounds like a recipe for depression. […]
Why we cry at the bells. It’s a case of glass half empty or half empty.
A post from our Project Manager Rosie McIntosh @rosiehopes Every year I cry at the bells. It’s silly really, I know it’s coming, which should stop it happening, but it’s like a Pavlovian response. Jackie Bird raises a glass, the bells chime, I cry. I was talking about this with a friend who admitted she […]
An unselfish Christmas: How I get through Christmas with depression
A post from one of our Community Correspondents This is my third Christmas since being diagnosed with my depressive disorder. I’d grip you with a dark tale of being depressed at the cheeriest time of year; all the melancholy of a John Lewis advert rolled into a piece of cinematic misery, but without the sigh […]
Dolly mixtures, outside toilets and community spirit
A song about a time when neighbours were neighbours from Community Correspondent John Dane Image painted by Community Correspondent David Bradley There’s nothing like a song to make you remember happier times. At our Mind Waves meeting, John sang us “When I was a lad”, which is about growing up in Belfast, but reminded us […]
Top tips for talking to your GP about mental health
If you’ve been struggling with mental health problems, the first step to recovery can be a visit to your GP. But it can be a daunting thought. What if the doctor doesn’t listen? What if English isn’t your first language and you don’t know how to explain? Our friends at GAMH worked with co-trainers from […]
Autumn skinny dipping: a poem about mental health and seasons
At our latest Mind Waves meeting, Community Correspondent Derek read us his latest poem and in the usually lively room, there was silence. I think we all understood the feeling of dark times approaching and were moved by the sense of humour and hope in his words. Here they are. Autumn skinny dipping I’ve had […]
What’s music got to do with mental health? We ask @machinesheaven
Our Community Correspondent Pete goes backstage to talk music and mental health with Machines in Heaven @machinesheaven Last Thursday, the Art School played host to Glasgow bands Atom Tree and Machines in Heaven in an exciting and powerful night of electro, shoegaze, post-rock, post-electronica. Our headliners Machines in Heaven, create beautiful, otherworldly sounds with the […]