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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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.
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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
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 8
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
EQUILIBRIUM
Summer/ Issue 38
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
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Meanwhile in
Grown Up Land
by Amie Taylor
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 12
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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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.
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Photography: Sara Cullum