Equilibrium Magazine for Wellbeing, Issue 56

MAGAZINE FOR WELLBEING

Issue 56

>> Wellbeing News Roundup >> Poetry & Photography by Sara Cullum >> The Big Bike Challenge >> The Dark Side of the Music Industry

2015

ISSUE 56

>> Art, Science & more

Equilibrium Patron Dr Liz Miller Mind Champion 2008

Front cover image: Amie Taylor

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Equilibrium is devised, created, and produced entirely by team members with experience of the mental health system.

Photo copyright remains with all individual artists and Equilibrium. All rights reserved. 2011

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editorial Hello and welcome to our new issue of Equilibrium! Whether you’ve just discovered our magazine for the first time, or are a loyal reader, we hope you enjoy this issue’s offerings. We’ve got some lovely new guest contributions, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Do keep them coming! We would love to hear your feedback; please do tweet us @teamequilibrium. If you’d like to join the editorial team, contribute an article, some art, photos or creative writing, please do get in touch via equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk.

Kate, Editor/Team Facilitator

disclaimer Equilibrium is produced by service users. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior permission of the Equilibrium team. Products, articles and services advertised in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of Equilibrium or any of our partners.

Equilibrium is published and circulated electronically four times a year to a database of subscribers; if you do not wish to receive Equilibrium or have received it by mistake, please email unsubscribe to equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk

the team Facilitator/ Editor: Kate Massey-Chase.

Editorial team: Dev, Ian, Nigel, Paul and Richard.

contact us Equilibrium, Clarendon Recovery College, Clarendon Road, London, N8 ODJ. 02084894860, equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk. We are in the office on Friday afternoons 2.30-4.30, but you can leave a message at other times and we’ll get back to you.

contributions Wanted: contributions to Equilibrium! Please email us with your news, views, poems, photos, plus articles. Anonymity guaranteed if required.

EQUILIBRIUM

3

Photography: Sara Cullum

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 4

Summer/ Issue 38

Wellbeing News Bulletins

Student Nurses Improve Observation Skills Through Visual Arts

According to new findings published in

detail of observations when they used art

the Nursing Times, observation skills can

techniques (such as visual thinking strate-

be improved among student nurses by

gies) to describe patients. It teaches them

teaching them to study patients using

not to make assumptions, as it is focussed

techniques for analysing visual arts.

on acute observation rather than interpre-

The study evaluated a course offered

tation. Craig Klugman says of the study:

to healthcare students at the University

“We found that art can teach students to

of Texas Health Science Center in San

see both the big picture and small details

Antonio, and discovered that nursing

that can be easily overlooked�.

and medical students observational skills improved, with increased number and

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 5

THE BIG BIKE CHALLENGE

F

rom11-20th July, I will

for a ‘good cause’. I find it is

Last summer I took a wobbly

be part of a group

difficult to really get behind

ride out on a Boris Bike in

of 10 intrepid novice

the training and the fundrais-

Battersea Park, which was

cyclists taking on a charity

ing effort when you are doing

quite an achievement in my

cycle challenge from Calais

it for something you are not

mind. Therefore when Kate’s

to Perpignan in France. We

truly invested in. Typically

husband and son talked

are supporting the Motor

for me, I also did not want to

about the Cycle for Kate, my

Neurone Disease Associa-

be like everyone else and

stomach turned at the pros-

tion (MNDA) in memory of a

do a marathon or climb Kili-

pect; however, in the realm

close family friend, Kate, who

manjaro or something else

of charity fundraising, doing

sadly lost her battle with the

equally cliché.

a good thing has to hurt.

Everyone has his or her fears

I knew straight away: THIS is

and demons. It is somewhat

my personal challenge and

Finding my personal chal-

ironic that mine is… the bicy-

I am doing it for a cause

lenge

cle. As a medical student, I

and for people I care about.

came off my bike and broke

And so with a great amount

I have always wanted to

my thumb, necessitating emer-

of strength and determina-

take on a personal chal-

gency surgery. As a result, I did

tion (with Mum and Nanny

lenge and wanted to do it

not ride a bike for three years.

now constantly worrying

disease in December 2014 at the age of just 50 years.

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 4

Summer/ Issue 38

for my safety and me petri-

Joost Van Der Westhuisen,

happen, that, so early in their

fied of meeting one of my

an ex-Springbok scrum half,

love and life together, a wife

colleagues in hospital as a

is tragically suffering from

and mother would be taken

trauma call), I have got on

Motor Neurone Disease

by a disease that robs us of

a road bike for the first time

(MND). He said:

time, but most importantly

ever and thrown myself into training.

our time together.

“There are two things we as

And so it is because of this

humans take for granted.

love, that our team of family

They are health and time.

and friends are taking to our

When you have Motor

bikes as a tribute to Kate

When a couple comes

Neurone Disease you get

and to raise much needed

together before family and

told you have none left.”

awareness and funds for the

The things we do for love

friends to declare their love

MNDA.

and enter into marriage, they

Neither Kate nor her husband

may promise:

would have ever contem-

How big is this challenge?

plated that this would “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

No matter what vows you make, religious or not, you vow forever. And when those vows are made, you believe that your love and marriage will last for nothing other than forever, because it is unimaginable that something will come along and tear that apart.

EQUILIBRIUM 5

The team will ride from Calais

this will take us at least 58

of abilities within our group,

to Perpignan, a total distance

hours. During this time, we

from a regular triathlete, to

1152km, over 10 days. Criti-

will burn at least 27,840 calo-

university lads, to 50-some-

cally, this route takes us over

ries, which is equivalent to

things whose rugby days

the Massif Central, so there

nearly 2 weeks of the recom-

have long since passed. The

are some significant “hills�

mended daily calorie intake

effort the group is putting in

between the start and the

or 17.8 kilograms of whole-

to training is phenomenal

finish. Our training rides have

wheat pasta!

and many more than 58

seen us cycle at a speed of 20-22 km/hr, meaning

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 6

hours of cycling will have We have a significant range

been done before the Grand

Summer/ Issue 38

Depart. This takes time and

It kills up to five people per

To the more serious cyclists

effort and is already taking its

day and half die within 14

out there, I am sure I look

physical toll

months of diagnosis. This

pretty incompetent and I

Since the start of train-

month is Motor Neurone

am definitely slow. Never-

ing I have progressed from

Disease Awareness month.

theless, for me, this is a seri-

leisurely jaunts around Rich-

This relatively rare disease

ous achievement and I am

mond Park to tackling more

received worldwide publicity

proud. I have gone from

serious climbs in the Surrey

last summer with the viral Ice

total novice to where I am

Hills and sitting in the saddle

Bucket Challenge, with the

now in very little time at all.

for hours at a time. After long

MNDA in the UK alone receiv- Persistence certainly pays!

rides, I feel physically and

ing an extra £7 million in

I have realised that this

mentally drained; my quads

donations. Sadly, there is no

hasn’t just been the start of a

burn and I have an insatiable

known cause and no treat-

long journey of training and

appetite. Nonetheless, there

ment or cure. This money will

then cycling from Calais to

is no doubt that this chal-

support vital research and

Perpignan, but the opening

lenge is going stretch me

we look forward to adding to

of a whole world of possibili-

physically, emotionally and

this through fundraising and

ties. It is pretty exciting what

mentally.

promoting awareness.

you can do if you are just willing to work hard and try.

This will be a battle for us –

The start of a very a long

but nothing like that which

journey

The Cycle for Kate team

Kate faced, because hers

is aiming high, with a

was a fight she could never

target of £100,000. If you

win. Motor Neurone Disease

would like to contribute

is fast and fatal. It attacks the

you can donate at: http://

nerves that control move-

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/

ment, leading to a failing

CalaisPerpignanEmilyB.

body, inability to move or

Any money that you kindly

talk and, one day, the inabil-

donate will go to a trib-

ity to breathe. At any one

ute fund in her name and

time, there are 5000 adults

will support the work of the

suffering from MND in the

MNDA. Thank you!

UK, with many more family, friends and carers affected.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM 25 EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 7

Health & Nutrition

Nigel Prestatyn

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Summer/ Issue 38

For those interested in health conscious-

But this one is different. Trust me: I daily

ness matters, I have come across an

consume fruit and veg now!!

object which will undoubtedly change

Why do we not juice when we have juic-

your life!

ers? Because they’re a god-awful pain to either set up, dismantle, or clean, or

Heard this before. I know, everyone

more than likely all three. But putting

claims this. And then they go on to say,

together the NutriBullet is as easy as

‘But no, really, this will…’.

screwing a lid on a coffee jar! Like wise dismantling it. Cleaning it is as easy as

Anyway, no, really, this will… It certainly

cleaning a cup, you simply rinse the

changed mine. Diet wise. And several

cutting device under a tap. Honestly, life

of my friends diets as well. In fact this

does not get easier.

contraption has revolutionised my health.

So what does it do? EVERYTHING! What My intake of fruit and vegetable was

do I do with it? Everyday for the last

pretty much non-existent prior to taking

three months I have shoved anything

ownershiop. I was sinfully lazy when it

and everything in it that I can find laying

came to eating fruit and veg. No matter

in the fridge. Celery, cucumber, nuts,

how much I heard or read about how

fruits, dried fruits, oranges, apples, pears,

I needed this nutritional input I simply

bananas, raw ginger, yogurt, frozen

could not make an adjustment for any

berries, etc, etc, etc. And it all gets

length of time which could change my

blitzed in 30 seconds, or less.

wretched diet. Just no will power. Sorry.

So are there lumps of ginger and nuts This device is called a NutriBullet. It’s a

and bits and bobs left over? Nothing, all

juicer. True, we’ve all had a juicer sitting

blitzed in the powerful little device which

in our cupboards for years, never used.

takes up no more room than a small

I know I’ve had several over the years.

kettle. So, 100% improvement in diet.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 9

Photography: Sara Cullum

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Summer/ Issue 38

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Meanwhile in

Grown Up Land

by Amie Taylor

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Summer/ Issue 38

I

have a secret. Sometimes (occa-

though. The honesty of kids can be cruel.

sionally) I go to meetings. And I wear

He was actually always very young for his

Grown-Up clothes. And I ‘um’ and

age – now I know that. When I was eight,

‘ah’ a lot, like a grown up. And I furrow

I didn’t.

my brow. And look pensive at the right

I wonder at what point that happens?

moments. But it’s all acting. I don’t feel

Does it always happen? When we’re

a day over 18. Sometimes I go to Sains-

two, do we still feel like a baby? When

bury’s, I reach the self-service checkout

we’re eight do we still feel as though

and wonder why on earth there are things

we’re six? I think when I was 16, I felt

like broccoli, wine and fairy liquid in my

sixteen. I think when I was 18, I felt eight-

shopping basket. But I remember, it’s

een. I remember twenty being a bit of

because I’m playing at being a grown

a shock – and from there on in I always

up. Real Amie would have BLT sand-

felt younger. I still sometimes have my

wiches, and Iron-Bru bars and rainbow

teenage reaction to things. Like when

drops in her shopping basket– as many

something doesn’t go my way -Amie

as she could afford on her credit card.

has a tantrum, stamping and stomp-

What? I have a credit card. Oh yes, of

ing up the hallway, and hiding in her

course, because I am playing at being

room for hours. Meanwhile in Grown

a grown up. If you are pretending to

Up land – Grown-Up Amie deals with it

be a Grown-Up, the ultimate accessory

quietly, and sensibly with a slightly raised

is a credit card. Most Grown-Ups have

heartbeat (which is probably Other

credit cards. It’s pretend money anyway. Amie trying to escape.) Or when I find Because remember, I’m pretending to be

out I’m about to interview a West-End

a Grown-Up.

singer. Amie is attempting to do cartwheels up and down the hallway (unsuc-

My Grampy used to say a sad thing. I

cessfully, she was never acrobatic) so

used to think it was a funny thing. But

resorts to fist-pumping and star jumping

it was sad. He used to tell me that he

instead. Meanwhile, in Grown-Up land,

looked in to the mirror and was always

Grown-Up Amie is sitting quietly at her

surprised because expected to see a

computer, late in to the night, nursing a

young man looking back at him. I used

glass of luke-warm pink cava (a Real

to giggle and tell him that he was old

Grown-Up would have chilled cava) and

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 13

thinking of the questions she could best ask

All of the ‘Grown-Up’ things I have learned

to make the article worth reading and to

and rehearsed to do over the years, I can

make the afore mentioned West End singer

now do very well: I can say the right things

feel like the entire experience had been

in meetings, I eat enough vegetables, I

worthwhile.

drink wine (and like it!) I use a credit card.

Because there’s this thing you get some-

I’m 29 now: This evening I ignored dinner

where between 16 and 19 called responsi-

time til 9pm, as I was happily playing my

bility. It’s like this crazy new toy which is SO

ukulele (the inspiration for this blog!) I still

much fun at first, but as you learn all of the

get drunk and deem it a good idea to cut

functions, you realise it’s all flashy lights and

my own hair. with non-hairdressing scissors. loud noise – but beyond that, it’s actually a I still, very occasionally, have chocolate

bit boring.

for dinner – once I ate an entire choco-

And I have moments where I want to

late shoe. I still lose my wallet. I still stay

stop playing, I really do. Moments where

up too late reading on work nights. Only

I’m ready to go home and eat a dinner

for the first time, yesterday, did I hang up

cooked by a grown up, or watch TV until

my washing properly so it wouldn’t get

someone tells me it’s too late. But I also

creases in it. Actually, it’s pretty cool being

have moments where I want to step up the

a Grown-Up, there’s lot’s I could do – ignore

responsibility. I do want the responsibility,

bedtime for three days. Eat sweets for

taking responsibility for who I am, and what

dinner. Stay out as late as I want. Run as

I say and do, responsibility in my friendships

far as I want, across busy roads until my

and relationships with others and respon-

lungs feel like they might explode. I can

sibility in being an active member of the

jump on my bed. I can watch any TV show

society I live in . A part of me is so desper-

I like. Have McDonalds EVERY DAY!

ate to find out what it feels like to be a Real Grown Up. There were so many around

So 9 year old Amie will be mightily disap-

when I was younger, but they’ve all evapo-

pointed when she finds out that 29 year old

rated. A bit like the end of a rainbow.

Amie does very few of these things. But she will at least be excited about the credit card, the meetings and owning her own

I suppose I wrote this tonight because, I just

computer, and the running, nine year old

need to know – are there any real grown

Amie was not good at running.

ups out there – or are we all just teenagers pretending?

EQUILIBRIUM 14

Wellbeing News Bulletins

Childhood

Trauma

Emotional Trauma during Childhood

physical, and sexual abuse; emotional

Can Lead to Adult Hypertension

and physical neglect; and household

New research suggests that repeated

dysfunction, such as substance abuse

childhood emotional trauma may

or domestic violence. Dr. Su said: “We

be linked to elevated blood pres-

hope these studies will reinforce the

sure. According to Dr. Shaoyong Su, a

need to screen children and young

genetic epidemiologist at the Medical

adults for adverse childhood events

College of Georgia at Georgia Regents

so this increased risk can be identified

University, this increase can put young

early to enhance resiliency and recov-

people at higher risk of hypertension

ery and lessen the burden of cardiovas-

and coronary artery disease by middle

cular disease later in life.�

and/or old age. The definition of childhood trauma includes emotional,

EQUILIBRIUM 15

Marijuana in Medicine Marco Lanzarote

image: http://truthinmedia.com/ EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 16

Summer/ Issue 38

Under the title of ‘How Medical

active ingredient in marijuana

Marijuana’s Chemicals May Protect

include “protecting the brain”,

Cells’ an article by David Noonan,

from the “effects of trauma, easing

in the magazine Scientific Ameri-

the spasms of multiple sclerosis”

can (20 January 2015), the effects of

and “reducing epileptic seizures”.

cannabidiol – an ingredient of mari-

Preliminary work “indicates that the

juana – discusses the latest reports

chemicals may slow the growth of

on this controversial “medicine”.

tumours” and reduce brain damage

in Alzheimers Disease.

The United States allows the medi-

cal use of it in 23 States and the

A British firm involved in research at

District of Columbia and it is legal for

the University of California, Epilepsy

recreational use in 4 States and the

Centre has developed two drugs

District of Columbia. Medically, the

“Epidolex” and “Sativex”. The Food

research being undertaken relates

and Drug Administration has granted

to the use of marijuana or its ingre-

“orphan drug status” to these drugs

dients to help patients suffering from

developed by GW Pharmaceuticals

seizures or epilepsy.

but are not approved for use in the

US although “Sativex” is approved in

Other uses of cannabinoids, the

Canada and other countries

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM 25 EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 17

Photography: Sara McCallum

POETRYZONE Poems Sara McCallum

Creative License I Chuck all the synthetic poisons in the bin I got a New thing Now I got a Expecting New thing Now That was the great thing about this city I got the most You could find new people Organic Any time you Thing Liked Goin’ You just had to stumble into A party Or A group They were all there Just Waiting For You

EQUILIBRIUM

Summer/ Issue 38

Sleight of Hand

They say: Look at your hands I wanna see how you Look at your hands I look They say: Ah you look at them like Men do That means you have a Masculine Brain I think: I should be getting paid 35% More Then

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

Bulletin

They say Of the attacker ‘There was a mental illness component’ As they stand amongst the bodies Cutting Health Budgets

EQUILIBRIUM

Where can you buy... a silver-plated Vickers Machine Gun in London?

The London Silver Vaults of course.

Why you would want to is a different question – but if you ever engineer a military coup and become a megalomaniac dictator of some faraway country of which we know little, this would be the must-have accessory.

The Free London Group (which does actually sound like an organisation seeking such a coup- but isn’t) is a group from the Clarendon which goes out to explore the lesser known and completely free attrac-

Photo: Anthony

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 20

Summer/ Issue 38

Mark Francis

tions in London of which the London

that. If you are not old enough, there

silver Vaults in Chancery Lane is but

is a new film coming out in August

one. It is an ordinary looking shop

2015 & Napoleon Solo is no relation

front – but inside is a man at a desk

to Han.

& a staircase leading into a base-

ment which contains 30 silver shops.

We have also visited the Royal

When we went there we were the

Courts of Justice- which is like a

only “customers” (£950 for candle-

Victorian Gothic cathedral with big

stick). It has all these, like metal

paintings of dead judges in wigs

blast doors & everything you can

– an amazingly impressive build-

imagine (well that is not bigger than

ing designed more to intimidate

say, a Vickers Machine Gun). If that

litigants with the mystery of the law

does not take your fancy there is a

than its accessibility. It is where the

gold-plated Tommy Gun/ Chicago

High Court sits, which is the first tier

Piano & a gold James Bond Walther

appeal court. It also had a repro

PPK pistol - all de-activated (alleg-

copy of the Magna Carta which

edly). If people reading this may

you could actually read- although

be old enough to remember “The

the clauses are very obscure and

Man from Uncle” where they go into

mostly topical to the England of

a tailor’s shop & into a fitting room

1215.

where there is a lift that takes

Somerset House is like a spare clas-

Napoleon Solo & Ilya Kuryakin (now

sical/baroque palace that the state

Ducky in NCIS for younger read-

does not really know what to do

ers)into this massive basement full

with, but has art galleries & cafes

of corridors with spies it is a bit like

& in the Winter a courtyard in its

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 21

massive square quadrangle is turned

Postman’s Park is just by St Paul’s and

into a skating rink. It used to be the

has a series of plaques commemo-

Records Office but is no more.

rating people who died saving others

We have also visited the Guildhall,

in various lurid (mostly) Victorian

which has an art gallery dominated

accidents. My favourite is the clerk

by a huge painting of the Siege

who rescued someone who fell off

of Gibraltar (we get to win) & Pre

the Oostende Ferry “even though she

Raphaelite paintings. Underneath is

was a stranger and a foreigner”!

the ruins of London’s Roman Amphi-

theatre. The Guildhall was formerly

Look out for subsequent expedi-

the centre of London’s administra-

tions – we were unable to complete

tion but is now relatively unknown. It

our itinerary as various small muse-

is partly old & partly modern due the

ums are for some reason closed on

bombing in the Blitz.

a Monday, which leaves us Sir John

We have also visited the Bank of

Soane’s Museum, The welcome Insti-

England Museum and the Museum

tute, The Grant Zoology Museum,

of the Order of St John. This is a small

The Petrie Egyptology Museum & The

museum of what was originally a

Royal Academy of Music Museum

military order of crusaders but now

still to do.

runs St John’s Ambulance. It is a small but medieval building. Relatively few

I actually had one of these for Christ-

mediaeval buildings exist from before mas (& a “chocolate smoker’s outfit”) the Great Fire of 1666 but this one is just outside the City Walls which stopped the flames from spreading.

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 22

Summer/ Issue 38

Wellbeing News Bulletins

The Health and Wellbeing: Benefits of Public Libraries

Arts Council England has published some

NHS around £27.5million a year, solely

new research showing how public libraries

based on reductions in GP visits. Combin-

make a positive contribution to people’s

ing the value to the individual and in

health and wellbeing and can save the

reduced health spending, the health,

NHS money.

wellbeing and quality of life benefits of libraries could be valued nationally at

The new research, commissioned by the

around £748.1 million per annum. This is

Arts Council and carried out by SImet-

important news, when we consider the

rica, has measured the economic value

ongoing threat to our public libraries, with

of public libraries’ contribution to health

324 libraries closed since 2011.

and wellbeing, and has shown that the improvements to health can save the

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 23

The Darkside OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY NIGEL PRESTATYN

A recent radio interview raised the issue of mental ill health in the music industry. Harvey, formerly of East 17, spoke to Labour MP Simon Danczuk about his exit from the music industry and his subsequent slide into depression.

As a consequence, much has been raised about the lack of concern the music industry is showing with regards to this problem.

The unfortunate aspect of mental ill-health in the music industry, or in fact any industry with celebrity status attached for that matter, is that the media instantly latches on to it, subsequently exacerbating an individual’s problems. When a member of the general public has mental health issues, they have the luxury(!) of dealing with it on their own terms.

But the media will latch on, often raising the most gratuitous aspects of the situation.

With the advent of social media, it’s now far easier for someone suffering from mental health problems to unwittingly find themselves under the spot light. Think Sinead O’Connor and her very public spat with Miley Cyrus (for

which Cyrus was mightily condemned

and a study least year by Musicians UK

by mental health organisations).

said almost 60% of professional musi-

Cyrus’ attack stemmed from Sinead

cians had suffered health problems.

O’connor’s notorious online postings

But no money is going to support these

referencing her mental distress.

people. The industry is effectively ignoring it.”

During the interview with Mr Danczuk, Harvey, who sold 18 million records with

Certainly the football industry has

band East 17, spoke about how he is

cottoned on to the issue within its field,

now penniless, and his ongoing battle

an issue highlighted by Gazza, and

with his mental health and how he’d

have taken substantial measures to

considered taking his own life.

raise awareness and help tackle the

Harvey said, “We need a walk-in centre

problem. The sport industry in general

specifically designed for when, in the

seems to have woken up. The Sport

middle of the night, someone thinks

and Recreation Alliance, alongside the

‘I’m going to hang myself’… because

Professional Players Federation and with

I have thought of all these things, he

support from the mental health charity

said. “Depression takes over.”

Mind, has launched The Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation with

Mr Danczuk said, “It’s a great industry,

the backing of the deputy prime minis-

worth nearly £4 billion a year, but I think

ter Nick Clegg.

they need to change attitudes towards mental health and do more to support

However, the music industry has yet to

their own,’ he said. “The music industry

sit up and take notice. We watch and

chews up and spits out a lot of people

wait.

Artwork by Miranda Holt

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 26

Summer/ Issue 38

Hi guyz, it’s me: Kudos – you know, Richie, the Art Critic! I’m looking at Miranda Holts’ work for my fourth editorial and I have to say, once again, I’m completely bowled over by the sheer imagination that has no reigns to control it. No rulez. No boundaries.

The most enigmatic, surreal picture with water and balls in the air, beautiful, diverse colour, a man on an object of some sort, perhaps a beach towel, a tube shooting balls…

She has me stuck on a pic so naturally it reminds me of my Mohican goatee and a net to catch butterflies with a tree in da background.

A third picture reminds me of Beavis and Butthead on a yoga party. Tipping the refreshing lower half dimensionally simply twists up your mind and the music notes give the picture a personal note (pun intended).

The first three picz are all nice, simple subjects, but the last two are simply so “Wizard of Oz-George Clinton-P Funk” crazy that you are sucked into a beautiful, therapeutic world. This one gets a mazzzzzive big up! Thanx, Miranda, you brightened up my day!

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Disability is social Arie Farnam

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Summer/ Issue 38

When I was sixteen, I was travelling in

“Why don’t you get some glasses then?”

Germany and I sat down on the edge of a

the woman next to him said with no inflec-

fountain to read a book and wait for a bus.

tion of humor or understanding whatso-

While I was reading, three other people sat

ever.

down nearby. They apparently noticed me

While I’ve had plenty of similar encounters

and the fact that my book was literally an

and tossed them away into the fog at the

inch from my nose.

back of my mind titled “Why lots of people suck,” that one has remained clear and

One of them eventually reached over and

fresh in my mind for twenty years--down

mashed the book into my face and said,

to the grain of the cement on the fountain

“There. You need some help getting the

base and the sunlight shining through the

book close enough?”

budding trees of early spring.

This was not an uncommon occurrence

Maybe I remember it because that was

for me with immature peers, but that didn’t

when I first started to understand that this

make it any less aggravating. I’ll admit

is going to happen, no matter what you

that I have a temper and there have been

do. If you have a disability, you will be

times when I would have chewed the head

harassed--even in nice liberal places like

off of anyone who did such a thing. But I

Germany, even when you aren’t asking

was suffering under the delusion that Europe

for help or accommodations, even when

would be more open-minded than the US. So,

you’re just minding your own business.

instead of biting the head off the offending

Up until that point I had taken every nasty

guy, I turned around and asked, “Haven’t you

social encounter as proof that I was a

ever heard of a person being nearsighted?”

social loser. But this time it was so clearly

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EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 29

not my problem that it was a bit of a

stop me and demand that I surrender

revelation to me.

my cane, because they have seen me reading something and therefore they

The other day, I was on a train with my

“know” I’m not “blind.”

six-year-old daughter, headed for her

On this particular occasion I turned to

music lessons in the city. I was read-

my daughter and explained again how

ing Little House in the Big Woods to

some people don’t know very much

her with my nose properly rubbing the

about people who can’t see well.

pages. The train conductor came by and I bought a ticket and showed my transportation disability ID that gives me a discount on that route. The conductor made a stink about how my card must be expired, even though the date on it was clearly good for another two years. Finally, the conductor did his job and left. But then one of the passen-

My daughter replied, “A girl at my school said that you look bad.”

“What kind of bad?”

“Just bad,” she said. “Anyway, I made her stop and she promised she wouldn’t say that anymore. “ She clenched her tiny fist and bared her teeth.

Oh gods, now my six-year-old is getting in fights over it.

gers turned around in a nearby seat and said, “Were’d you get the fake ID?

As a result, I would like to do a little bit

You’re obviously not blind, since you

of public education right here and now.

can read.”

Here are some basic facts that could resolve all of these situations and a

I hadn’t stowed my foldable white

great many others. Please pass them on

cane and it was still propped against

to your friends.

our seat. Sometimes I leave it out on purpose, just to scare away nosy twerps, but sometimes it doesn’t work.

Even without having an argument with the train conductor, I’ve had people

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Arie Farnam is an author of emotionally intense fiction and the Rebel with a Pen blog at www.ariefarnam.com.

Summer/ Issue 38

Wellbeing News Bulletins

Stroke survivors are ‘at double the risk of attempting suicide’

Swedish researchers from UmeĂĽ Univer-

ing suicide than university-educated

sity have conducted a new study,

stroke patients. And stroke patients

published in the journal Neurology,

who lived alone were found to have

which finds that stroke patients have twice the risk of committing suicide, compared with people who have not had a stroke, and the likelihood of a

a 72% increased risk of attempting suicide. Interestingly, however, patients born outside of Europe were found to

suicide attempt among this group is

have half the risk of committing suicide

highest within the first two years follow-

compared with those born in Europe.

ing a stroke. Among stroke patients

The researchers suggest that cultural

under the age of 55, the suicide risk

and religious differences between these

increased to five times that of the general population. Patients who had a low level of education or income had a 37% higher risk of attempt-

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populations could account for protective factors among patients born outside of Europe.

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder The NHS website says: “An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a person’s mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.” When we talking about unpleasant thoughts, it does not mean thoughts that go away after a few minutes and then you forget about it. It means the person has repetitively thoughts and urges, which he or she feels they have to physically carry out regardless of how unpleasant the thoughts are.

OCD Action’s website states: “OCD is a clinically recognised disorder which affects around 1-2% of the population in the UK.” This percentage may seem small and can be of varying severity, but it could be serious indeed.

One example could be a person who constantly has the fear if “I don’t do this then something terri-

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Summer/ Issue 38

Dev

ble will happen to me”. This takes on

affects other close to them. Treat-

phenomenal proportions and it can

ment could be several weeks, months

sometimes cause physical shaking

or years. The root cause that has

and an immediate rush to do the task

prompted the person to develop this

over, over and over again. You’re

condition should usually be tackled,

probably thinking that this is ridiculous,

providing the person can give some

it’s just a thought. But it’s not for that

insight on what has caused it. Unless

person: it is seen as a life and death

you tackle the main cause of OCD,

situation. Remember, this is a serious

you won’t be able to find the solution.

mental health condition. In this exam-

However, a person with OCD may

ple, it is possible that there might be

have a wide number of symptoms

some symptoms of paranoia. Obses-

such as: obsessions about dirt and

sive Compulsive Disorder can take

contamination, and obsessive need

any shape or form and it varies from

for order or symmetry, religious obses-

person to person. It is not just about

sions (such as scrupulosity - patho-

cleanliness and tidiness, as some

logical guilt about moral or religious

people think.

issues), obsessions with aggressive

On the NHS website it goes on to say:

content, and obsession over a thought

“It’s not clear exactly what causes

or incident that has happened. Under

OCD, although a number of factors

each circumstance, the severity of the

have been suggested.” Some of

condition may vary. This condition can

these factors suggested that it may

remain for decades at a time and has

be genetic and it also could be in

a possibility of becoming serious in some

the family (i.e. hereditary). Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition and also if/how it directly

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cases if not addressed. But there is also lots of help and treatment available.

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A Few Things That You May Not Know

During the last few weeks, after watching

clam shell. The Benu bird was an ancient

a marathon of documentaries and look-

Sumerian bird with the body of an eagle

ing at internet websites, I managed to

and the head of a lion, and the Boobrie

find several interesting facts that are not

shape-shifting bird from the mythology

commonly known. Here are some of my

and folklore of the Scottish Highlands.

favourite: One journey of our solar system around Different birds and bird-like creatures

the centre of the Milky Way galaxy is

are important in mythology and appear

sometimes called a cosmic year, which

in different cultures across the planet.

is approximately 225-250 million years.

For example, in the Indian Ramayana

The rotation happens because of a super-

Sanskrit epic poem ascribed to the Hindu

sized rotating black hole at the centre of

sage and Sanskrit poet and regarded

our galaxy. The black hole is completely

as one of the two great works of Indian

dark and no light can be seen from it. The

literature, the bird-like creature (known

last time our planet was where it is now

as the Garoor), tries to save a princes.

was in 485BC.

In the Canadian First Nations’ stories, the raven discovers the human race inside a

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A horse walks on its toes, which we know

Summer/ Issue 38

John Dawson

as the hooves. The Mayans were the

A bear’s breath is ten times stronger than

first to perform a brain surgery. But they

any air fresheners around. One inhala-

did not know how to seal the operated

tion of a bears breath could knock you

area. Instead they would cover the open

out cold.

area with jewellery. In 1923, jockey Frank Hayes won a race at Belmont Park

Apparently there were plans in Russia to

in New York despite being dead — he

can bears’ breath and us it as a defen-

suffered a heart attack mid-race, but

sive weapon.

his body stayed in the saddle until his horse crossed the line for a 20–1 outsider

Snakes can eat other animals 75 to 100

victory.

percent bigger than their own size. This is because it can dislodge its jaw to get the

A group of archaeologists believe they

food down its thought.

have discovered the remnants of Noah’s ark in the Turkish Arcana Mountains,

In the Orient, insects are considered a

beneath snow and volcanic debris near

delicacy and are often cooked or boiled

the peak of Mount Ararat. It’s frame can

and then eaten whole. It is said they are

still be seen today.

very crunchy.

It is said that it takes less than a minute

Ancient Egyptian priest would pluck all

for a human brain to come up with a

their hair before becoming a priest.

false or elaborate scenario when under stress. This is because the brain is rapidly

In the UK, it is illegal to eat mince pies on

trying to figure out what is going on and

Christmas Day!

is programmed by evolution to prepare for the worst.

If a mosquito bites you and you flex your

It takes one blow from a bears paw to

muscles. The mosquito will explode.

snap a person’s spine in two. The bears paw has as much strength as three body builders.

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Wellbeing News Bulletins

Facebook & Depression Marco Lanzarote

image: http://truthinmedia.com/ EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 36

Summer/ Issue 38

Scientists find link between heavy Face-

depressed feelings and lots of time on

book use and depressive symptoms

Facebook and comparing oneself to

Nearly 900 million people use Facebook

others tend to go hand in hand.” We’ve

every day. Some users who spend a

always compared ourselves to our dear-

lot of time on Facebook may find they

est and not so dearest (‘keeping up

are spending less time connecting and

with the Jones’ etc), but in this new age

more time comparing. A new study

of social media, we have easy, regu-

finds that this type of social compari-

lar access to more information about

son – coupled with heavy use of Face-

each other than we ever had before.

book – is linked to depressive symp-

This is also information which is care-

toms. Writing in the Journal of Social

fully selected by the person sharing it,

and Clinical Psychology, researchers

and usually we are comparing ourselves

from the University of Houston have

their “highlight reels” and this “may lead

carried out two studies to investigate

us to think their lives are better than they

Facebook users engaging in repeated

actually are and conversely, make us

social comparison may impact on

feel worse about our own lives”.

their psychological health. Both studies showed that Facebook users felt depressed when they compared themselves to their peers. The study leader Mai-Ly Steers, says: “It doesn’t mean Facebook causes depression, but that

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

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Photography: Sara Cullum

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Summer/ Issue 38

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Press Release l 28 May 2015 CoolTan Arts’ popular Largactyl Shuffle Midnight Walk returns on Saturday 20th June 2015.

All are welcome to join a fun, guided midnight stroll through London on the midsummer solstice! The walk theme is ‘Light’ so bring along torches, lamps or glowsticks and dress to impress in your best evening wear or light up clothes! L.E.D wristbands and bowties will be available for sale at the start of the walk.

Along the way you’ll have the chance to cast wishes and light candles on the edge of the Thames and hear talks on London’s secret history including tales of Charles Dickens’ night walks and the resurrection men.

We will also be having a midnight feast at a secret location with food

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Summer/ Issue 38

Press Release

kindly provided by the Breakfast Club!

guided, stigma-busting cultural walks

Starts: 11:45pm on Sat 20th at the

designed to encourage mental and

Tate Modern (outside the Turbine Hall

physical wellbeing, through art, exer-

entrance), Bankside, SE1 9TG

cise, humour and history.

Finishes: 5am on Sun 21st at the Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill SE5 8AZ.

Last year’s Midnight Walk, attracted more than 130 participants. Remem-

Free: but donations very welcome to

bering the event, a walker from last

support CoolTan’s work in arts and

year described a ‘magical and unique

mental health. The full walk is 4.8 miles,

tour through the summer streets of

is suitable for all levels of walking and

London, don’t miss it!’ Further informa-

also accessible to wheelchair users

tion for press and media is available

and people with disabilities. There is

from: Emma Thatcher, Communications

no need for participants to prebook,

Officer, CoolTan Arts

and all are welcome to join in for the

Telephone: ( 020 7701 2696 E-mail: :

distance that suits them. The walk lead-

emmathatcher@cooltanarts.org.uk,

ers wear orange high-viz vests and

Website: : www.cooltanarts.org.uk

rucksacks. Call CoolTan Arts on 07985 658443 if you cannot find the walking

The Largactyl Shuffle is a long running

group on the day. CoolTan Arts asks

guided walk through Southwark on

that people wear comfortable shoes

third third Saturday of each month

and bring their own water.

which is researched planned and led by volunteers from arts in mental

The Largactyl Shuffle Midnight Walk is

health charity CoolTan Arts. The walk is

an annual event but it is also part of

named after the oldest anti-psychotic

a larger scheme, the monthly Cool-

drug Largactil that can have extreme

Tan Arts’ Largactyl Shuffles, which are

physical side effects.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Photography: Sara Cullum