Mind Over Matter Zine

R E T T A M R E MIND OV

A ZINE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND CREATIVITY

WHAT IS MIND OVER MATTER? Mind Over Matter IS a series of workshops on how to create tools to creatively overcome personal and professional challenges. In 2013-14 over 1.7 million adults accessed NHS services for severe or enduring mental health problems. Nevertheless, the stigma surrounding the topic of Mental Health is still present in our society and it represents the biggest barrier for those whose lives are affected by this almost invisible illness every day. Mind Over Matter focused on global mental health education, awareness and advocacy with an aim to help break this silence and stigma, whilst unlocking people's creative potential to be happy.

PAPER Arts, a vibrant creative hub in broadmead hosted these workshops, and this zine is a collection of materials from this year long month project.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in this project and encourage others to use this as a tool to help maintain their own mental health and wellbeing.

WELLBEING

BADGE MAKING

1 3 5 9 18 100+ 500+

PROJECT LEADER SOCIAL ENTERPRISES ARTS FACILITATORS MONTHS WORKSHOPS ATTENDEES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

SOCIAL IMPACT

“Nice to

have spac

e to do o ur ow company.” n thing, in good

“creative freedom!”

“Lots of fun craft things to play with” “Thank you, this ha s been so nice, th e workshop leaders are so friendly!”

there is no “I LOVED Learning ” wrong way in art!

has lovely atmosphere d an ls ia er at m f “The quality o of the session.” been the highlight “Thank you, this has been so nice, excellent value for money and the workshop “Lovely people, so relaxed!” leaders were so friendly!”

and s l a i r te of ma s been the y t i l ua ha “The q tmosphere session.” a e lovely light of th high

passtime.” g in v ie l e r e, stress Fun, creativ

“

“Brilliant. Really sweet, lovely and kind environment.”

“I attende d th mindfuln is workshop beca us ess and w ays of liv e I’m interested in ing in th e present .”

“My highlight of the session was collaborating with arning how to other people in a creative “Always up for le free thinking environment.” manage anxiety.”

A WORKSHOP BY Graciefullymade: How to keep you believing you're awesome!

In this hands on, creative workshop we discussed self-esteem and the different ways we can continue to build it. PARTICIPANTS MADE two personalised gifts with materials of THEIR choice AND learnt a little more about how our minds work.

When things are at their hardest, this workshop IS AIMED AT providING you with a personal carepackage that you can turn to. hand decorate your own sensory box and then fill it with small mementos linked to the five senses.

S E X O B Y R O S N E S

S T O P T PLAN

This is a page from our colouring book, which is 20 pages of different designs, all based around nurturing yourself and letting yourself be creative.

This is a page from one of our most popular comics, the guide to not being sad. It has 10 rules based around depression and ways to try and manage it.

The Mandala Club A Mandala is a sacred circle.

You will find them in countless cultures, past and present, as well as all throughout nature from the tiniest of things to the very largest!

The true beauty of the mandala is best understood in the process of making one.

One part meditation, one part creativity, making a mandala is a unique experience each and every time.

With regular practice Daily doodles or once-a-month moments: your capacity for calmness broadens, Your Ability to feel present expands, and your creativity will soar.

Making a mandala is not limited to one material or style. across the year of workshops we used all kinds of materials and techniques and encourage you to DO THE SAME: Freehand Drawing Geometry Painting Nails/string Rice drawing leaves/herbs collage Flour drawing printing sand-painting

Try working collaboratively to find balance with others and share a sacred space together.

Or You can try turning it into a game: Give each person a specific colour, shape or time-limit to work with and see what they can accomplish!

GIANT MANDALAS

A Mandala Guide Begin with a humble dot in the center of your page.

Use this dot to center yourself, after a deep breath, start making simple marks (in a material of your choice) in relation to this center.

The key is to make it straightforward for yourself the easier you make it, the more intricate and beautiful it becomes!

Try not to overthink it, remember this is a form of meditation - allow the process, and your intuitive inner guru to guide you.

Once you sense it is completed, dissolve any expectation or attachment you may have it simply does not matter if it looks ‘good’ or ‘bad’ focus more on how it felt during the process, know that each mandala is practice for the next one, that your inner guru gets wiser with each one you make, and that if you stay with this practice, you will be a mandala master in no time!

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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART AND TO THOSE THAT RAN THE SESSIONS!

The Sad Ghost Club www.thesadghostclub.com The Mandala Club www.db-doodles.tumblr.com & our special guest Graciefullymade www.facebook.com/graciefullymade Photography by Joseph Aldous www.joealdous.uk

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE HOSTS AND FUNDERS!

WWW.PAPERARTS.ORG.UK