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Don’t Don’tbe beaaPrick Prick

Editor-in-chief — Cari Clark Sub-editor — Sara Reilly Contributor — Hugh Scannell Illustrator — Katherine Williams Photographer — Tom Gower Special thanks to Kevin Braddock, Simon Das & Keith Martin

By the way... We asked everyone who has stuck around through thick and thin to give us their fave feel-good tracks. Here are the best ones, curated to listen to whilst exploring the contents of Grip Magazine.

Before We Start... One of my favourite authors, the brilliant Elizabeth Gilbert, recently said on a webcast that “you would have to be either a complete sociopath or fully enlightened not to feel anxiety at a moment like this.” Like most of us, I fall somewhere in between, and I too have been struggling with feelings of anxiety in the face of disruption and uncertainty. So, it is okay not to be at your best right now, and you are certainly not alone. Actually, according to a report from Mind, 73% of students have experienced a decline in their mental health as a result of the lockdown – that’s three students out of four! Mental health is essential to everything we do, it “influences how we think and feel about ourselves and others and how we interpret events. It affects our capacity to learn, to communicate, and to form (…) friendships.” A way to look at mental health is as this precious resource we need to learn to carefully manage so that we can move forward, reach our goals and live our lives to the fullest. And the best way to do this is through self-care – by taking simple intentional steps to nurture a positive mindset: doing the things that make you feel alive, connecting with others, cultivating gratitude… There are many ways to go about it, and you can find support to help you be your best self, your confident self, your happy self – simply yourself. Jean-Cristophe Trentinella, Lecturer and Well-Being Coach

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Meet The Team Sara Reilly

First thing to note about me is that a lot of my friends and family members would say I’m quite awkward and weird at times. As insulting as that may sound, I truly take it as a compliment. I absolutely love any joke involving toilet humour (judge me as you will), I’m allergic to the most random things such as cherries and pears, and I dream of turning my bedroom into an indoor plant metropolis. But I haven’t always embraced this side of myself. Since the age of 12, I’ve struggled with social anxiety and stress. Even the smallest of tasks, like asking a shop assistant for help was a mammoth ask from me. These encounters usually ended in me shaking like a leaf, unable to formulate even basic sentences and, in extreme cases, persisting chest pains. When my school teachers noticed, they put me into group therapy, which I can only describe as an absolute lifesaver. This is why Grip Magazine is so important to me. If it wasn’t for having somebody to talk to and overcome the biggest annoyances that were dominating my life, I wouldn’t be able to now walk up to a random Tesco employee and ask if they have any new ‘Bag for Life’ designs (not that I would literally do that but you get the idea). Obviously, I’m nowhere near the most mentally stable person. However, I’d like to think that if I learnt to combat my issues, anybody who may be feeling the same can do it too. GRIP MAGAZINE

An improvement in well-being can come from even the most mundane sources, like Percy Pigs and nature. Buckle up and tuck in!

1. Light

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Grandmag’s Little Piglets

An Ode to Summer

Grandmag’s Little Piglets My 89-year-old Irish Grandmother tries Percy Pigs for no reason whatsoever

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If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting my beloved Grandmother Margaret - otherwise known as Grandmag - then there’s probably several things that prove she isn’t exactly the typical ‘Grandmother’ type. Yes, she enjoys the simpler things in life like Emmerdale, digestive biscuits and only having milk that’s specifically brought in by the milkman. But she’s also one of the funniest, most foulmouthed individuals that I’ve ever met. She’s filled condoms with water and swung it around like a lassoo on a day trip to Windsor Castle (don’t ask), smothered her cousin’s bicycle light with fox poo as a joke, believes a cake sandwich is a suitable meal (she has on numerous occasions placed slices of Madeira cake in-between two pieces of Farmhouse white) and called my brother Kim Jong-Un for several months after a dodgy trip to the barbers. Now, I had this absolutely ingenious idea to ask her to review a wide selection of Percy Pigs for me and even though I was met with many “for f*ck’s sake”’s and “why can’t you Mother do it”’s , she eventually gave in to lend me her expert taste buds. So here is Mrs Margaret Reilly’s completley unbiased review on these mostly “alright”delightful piggy treats.

“Piglets, we used to call them ‘Bonnufs’. Yeah alright not bad. They’re supposed to be a bloody pig, I don’t know if they have tits or what. It’s alright, taste isn’t bad 9/10.”

“Princess Margaret said long ago that the Irish are pigs. A pig is a pig, I used to like the pig’s ear and the pig’s snout. And this has got neither a ear nor a snout. I can’t chew real quick, my dentures are well worn down. I’ve already had pancakes there for my dinner. It’s alright, I wouldn’t like too many. My cousin used to give us sweets after already sucking it and then putting it back in the paper. Nothing in particular, four out of ten.”

“They’re more or less the same flavour. More or less the same as the pig. I don’t know what the taste is, I never drank it (the cow is meant to taste like cola).My verdict, I wouldn’t buy ‘em. 7/10”

“Oh Jesus how many more? Wouldn’t you get sick chewing ‘em? Weird smell off of it. Taste like a panda (?) Fancy them wanting that, a Percy Pig, bloody stupid *proceeds to burp*. How many more? I’m fed up with them. I’m sick to fucking death of tiger. You wouldn’t get a flavour of a tiger anyways. Oh Jesus how many more? Alright, 7/10. Would I buy them? I would out me arse. Not after eating all them I wouldn’t”.

“It’s weird this one, its salty or something. Oh I don’t like the taste of that one at all. No. How many more? Oh lord Jesus. Just come back tomorrow. Ooh I wouldn’t like that one at all. I don’t know, oh Lord Jesus I don’t know *burps*. I’m going to have to get the bowl up besides the bed tonight cause I’m going to be sick *burps*. Lord Jesus, couldn’t you have something better to do? Why couldn’t I give my verdict of a twirl, not the shiteing yolks. Horrible.”

“That one is not bad. There’s too many, one after the other to know what they taste like. Fruity my arse. Your boyfriend has no problem eating them.” GRIP MAGAZINE

An Ode

to Summer

Photography Tom Gower

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The past year can be summed up by the bitter taste that comes with missing friends, family, lovers, workmates — even your long-distant relatives who would give you a pound coin and tell you not to spend it all at once. Yet, through the long months of uncertainty, the niggling persistence of hope is what pulled our spirits through and carried us to this moment. As we approach another season and the days stretch longer, the sun shines brighter and the trees grow thicker, it’s more apparent now than ever that things really will get better. And my God do we need them to.

“Can’t wait to be living my best life.” - Raph, 21, Cardiff. GRIP MAGAZINE

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“I’m looking forward the most to going to the beach, chilling in the sun and visiting allotments.” - Phill, 58, Cardiff.

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“I’m looking forward to hugging friends in the warmth of the sunshine.” - Phoebe, 21, Bristol.

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“Sun, beaches, drinking. What more could you want?” - Alfie, 23, Cardiff.

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Meet The Team Cari Clark My name is Cari, I’m 5ft3 and have a lot to say. When I’m not complaining about the lack of options for petite jeans (at this point it feels like a personal attack), I make beaded jewellery to keep my mind busy and run circles in the local park to cure my fidgety body. I overshare with friends and family by updating them on the copious amounts of tea I drink every day, but never reveal how I’m truly feeling. I’m an A* mentor for other people (my favourite technique involves telling loved ones to shout “I am a bad bitch!” whenever they cry), yet when it comes to helping myself, things aren’t so easy. Well-being isn’t a straightforward narrative that involves jumping around with glee 24/7 — that would be exhausting and, frankly, quite nauseating for those around. For me, wellness is the good, the bad and the downright ugly. It’s the balance between solo cries and cackling with best friends. It’s knowing what is good for your mind, body and soul but also pushing your boundaries. It’s bloody hard work but when you find that sweet balance that works for you, it’s so worth it.

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TRIGGER WARNING: If sensitive issues such as depression, suicide and homophobia affect you, maybe skip this section.

2. Heavy

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“Keep Off the Grass” Interview

Kevin Braddock Wants You to Be Honest

Draw, Write, Think

Q&A WITH WRITER AND DIRECTOR FRANCIS RUDD “Keep Off the Grass” follows Sunny Cooper, an 18-year-old amateur footballer, who is struggling to accept his sexuality within the homophobic environment of the sport.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to raise awareness about homophobia in football? Frances: I think we have built a culture where homophobic language and behaviour is just part of the game, which shouldn’t be the case. Seven out of ten football fans that have attended a game have heard or witnessed homophobia. I believe we should drive for sport to be inclusive for anyone and challenging homophobia is a good start.

Q: Was there a specific moment that inspired you to make this kind of film? F: I was asked if I could name an openly gay footballer in the Premier League. I was shocked when I couldn’t name a single one. It made me take the time to research into the problems that football is facing regarding homophobia. This went on to spark the idea of Keep Off the Grass.

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Q: Why do you think the majority of sports personalities in general decide to stay closeted? Does it relate back to the topic of keeping their masculinity intact? F: One in five 18-24 year olds said they would be embarrassed if their favourite football player came out as gay. This stat shows that there’s probably thousands of sports personalities out there who are scared to come out due to the backlash it would cause. With football being considered an extremely masculine sport I believe many closeted players would feel as if they would harm their masculinity by coming out.

Q: What impact has this film had on the well-being of yourself and your crew mates? F: It’s been a stressful film to make as we all wanted to make sure that the film was as true as it could be. But despite the stress, it has been extremely rewarding to learn so much about a topic which is so rarely spoken about.

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Kevin Braddock Wants You To Be Honest. “People are always talking about things like ‘mental fitness’ now and I think, what the fuck does that mean?” Despite Kevin Braddock’s no-nonsense approach to the circulation of trendy buzzwords, the writer aims to share his simple message: be honest about your feelings, ask for help and keep practicing what is good for you. After two decades of working as writer-editor for the likes of GQ and The Face, the self-proclaimed “storyteller” has now ditched keeping up with appearances in the magazine industry. These days, his time is split between his ongoing project, Practice Cards, completing his studies in Psychodynamic Counselling and writing mental health guides — including his latest title Everything Begins With Asking for Help. Despite his long list of commitments, Braddock understands the value of sharing his wisdom regarding mental well-being. Over a glitchy FaceTime call, we laughed, I cried and most importantly, we shared a sense of honesty that is rarely achieved with someone you’ve just met. However, brutal honesty has become second nature to Braddock. After battling with depression since his early 20s and surviving a suicide attempt in 2014, part of his recovery process was sharing personal details of his breakdown. A few years later, Braddock published these thoughts in the form on an intimate journal, Torchlight System, and shared with friends, strangers and everyone in between. Despite the abstracted imagery and sleek composition providing a high-end feel to the publication, nothing can distract readers from the raw narration of his story. “When I started all of this, I thought if this helps two people — me and someone else — that’s enough”, he states. While the publication supported his need to be more open with himself and others, his recovery was far from over. In an attempt to rebuild his health, the writer exhausted himself trying out numerous practices: tai chi, yoga, running — you name it, he tried it. Yet, despite his insistence on getting better, an unfamiliar feeling crept in: he was extremely bored. During his quest to achieve serenity through meditation, Braddock’s best efforts were taking the same negative toll on his mental health that a heavy night out would. “Life is what happens around you, and life is to do with other people and it’s to do with events,” he explains, adding the importance of balancing chaos and calm. “I think it’s about learning what you need.” So what do we need? If you are hoping for step-by-step instructions to get back to a healthy state, look away now. “There isn’t a single model for mental health,” he begins, explaining that people must discover their personal configuration of what practices can help them. Straightaway, Braddock noticed that his specific configuration for self-help was dominated by creativity. GRIP MAGAZINE

“What’s the difference between mental illness and art? I don’t think there is one.” He manifested this artistic passion through simple activities such as writing down words and pinning them on the wall, creating Practice Cards and filming his accidentally-hilarious YouTube videos. See what Braddock had to say about finding relief in expressing himself and the therapeutic nature of creativity.

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How did the creative aspect of publishing Torchlight System help you? I think [with] mental illness, art can really, really help. Art is very therapeutic, whether you do it for that purpose or that’s just an accidental effect of it — I don’t think it matters. Just make something. If you make an object that says something, that’s outside of you — whether that’s a sculpture or a painting or a book or whatever it is — then that thing is no longer inside of you. And I think I wanted to get this stuff out and objectify it or turn it into an object.

Did you anticipate that the simple act of writing down your story would ever turn into a publication? I mean fundamentally there is something quite selfish in this because I wanted to make it and it’s helped me. But it’s turned out that it’s helped all sorts of people in ways that I didn’t predict, you know? There’s a lot of things that people can do to help themselves with illness. But I think the number one thing is being able to talk about it and express who you are.

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Draw, write, think... Joy

Gratitude

SADNESS

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Stress

Anger

Aspiration

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Meet The Team Hugh Scannell My name is Hugh but everyone knows me as Nobby. I probably drink and smoke too much for my own good. I spend a large portion of my time playing video games and I don’t enjoy eating chocolate. Well-being, to me, is that niggle in the back of my head and the butterflies swarming my stomach whenever I am anxious about something — which is most of the time. It’s the restless nights with intervals of cold sweats or it’s whenever I find myself pushing my body further than I know it should go. I’ve seen the bad management of one’s well-being ruin a person, but I have also seen its ability to create a person. Looking after one’s well-being is as important as eating breakfast, as without a steady mind it’s difficult to navigate through life. If you’re on a journey to improve your well-being, try to run, read and laugh — that’s my greatest advice.

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What do a bunch of 20-somethings know about wellness? Funny you should ask! Here are some techniques we’ve gathered just for you.

3. Tips

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Benefits of Being a Pothead

Sexual Healing

A Vicious Cycle

List of Helpful Resources

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Gerberas are beautifully pimped up daisies that you can find in pretty much any shop that stocks flowers. Surprisingly, Gerberas are your best friends while you’re dozing off in bed. They remove nasty airborne particles and later release oxygen at night, making them especially useful for people who suffer with breathing issues. By far one of the most underrated flowers around.

If you were stuck on a desert island and had to take one thing with you, I would highly reccommend an Aloe plant. Not only does the plant contain an edible jelly-like substance inside, but that jelly also contains skin-soothing properties that can relax burns and even common skin rashes like psoriasis. Aloe plants also purify the air of toxins that can usually be found in chemicals such as common detergents and floor polishes. An air purifyer, skin ointment and even a snack — what more could you want?

S na ant

Aloe

ra e rb

Word on the street has it that the humble house plant has just as many health benefits as the ‘Devil’s cabbage’. Honestly, trust me on this one. First and foremost, it’s not illegal (so take a sigh of relief that you’ve escaped doing 12 months of community service this time around) and plants brighten up every inch of your living space no matter the size. A study published by The Journal of Physiological Anthropology showed how interacting with indoor plants may reduce stress by supressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults. So pretty much what I’m saying is, if you have overriding debt, a list of grey hair inducing deadlines, or maybe you’ve simply just burnt your toast first thing in the morning, then a plant could fix things... potentially. I can’t guarantee a plant will exactly clear your debts away, but it’ll definitely put you in a slightly better mood about things. So whether you’re a first-time grower, or the biggest pothead in town, there’s no better time to start filling your home with the best green stuff the Earth has to offer. Here’s a couple of mighty fine specimens to start you off!

Pl ke

So here’s the deal about the green stuff...

Also known as the ‘Mother- in-Law’s Tongue’, Snake plants tend to be quite popular due to the amount of different sizes they come in, as well as their funky green and yellow leaves. They’re the perfect plant for people who have little-to-no green thumbs, since they’re the Chuck Norris of plants — they’re indestructible! Underwater them, overwater them, don’t water them full stop... the damn plants will still survive. Snake plants also take in harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air and release oxygen at night in return.

English I

v y

English Ivy is the plant embodiment of that friend that has quite a few gross habits, but you know you couldn’t live without them. They’re perfect to keep in your bathroom since they reduce airborne faecal matter and toxins in the air that could aid in the production of mold. They’re pretty much shit-suckers. A study found that an Ivy plant once removed 94% of faecal particles in a 12 hour period. Gross and pretty cool for a plant that’s mostly considered a weed. GRIP MAGAZINE

S X E S X E X S E n S X a i l u E H l X e a xS E S E S X E S SEX S X E S SEX X E S SEX X E S SE X E S X E S X E

Banging, getting it on, making love — whatever you call it, sex has a huge impact on our lives.

Yet, amidst the discussion of STDs, reproductive rights and consent

politics, it’s clear we often neglect the important aspect of pleasure.

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Sex was first introduced to me as a strange word whispered on the playground which my parents described as “just nice cuddling”. While the secrecy of the act started to fade away during Sex Education lessons in secondary school, it was then replaced by odd experiences of putting condoms on bananas, staring at zoomedin photos of genital herpes and the general feeling of discomfort shared by both students and teachers. And just to add to the discontent, I was never educated on the many positive aspects of sex that don’t involve creating human life. And it seems I’m not alone. In a recent Grip survey aimed at people aged between 18 and 34, the highest-scoring topics that respondents were taught during Sex Ed were reproduction (65%), contraception (55%) and protection from STIs (50%). While knowledge on these topics has saved us from many a sticky situation, unfortunately the number of respondents that were taught about the natural aspect of pleasure came to a grand total of zero. Although conversations about latest hook-ups and thoughts on creating OnlyFans accounts are considered casual chitchat amongst friends, this easy tone is nowhere to be found when discussing sex with anyone outside my tight-knit circle. In that sense, the uneasiness caused by Sex Ed lessons still haunts me in everyday life: the weather always seems an appropriate topic to discuss very loudly whenever a sex scene comes on TV and a family friend still insists on calling the cocktail “laying on the beach”. Factors contributing to the awkwardness that surrounds sex are aplenty, with religious beliefs, growing up in different generations and playing up to the ‘British prude’ stereotype being taken into account. However, through this frigid narrative, we have become a society that dismisses the incredible effects that orgasms can have on our well-being, which in turn harms how we navigate and contribute to pleasure in the first place. Therefore, the recent news of an update to the sex education curriculum may be our last hope to expel the forbidden narrative that surrounds sex. The more up-to-date teaching will be based around the development of sexuality and the meaning of sex in both heterosexual and LGBT relationships. Obviously, this doesn’t mean I want every future conversation I share to be based on intimate details of latest rendezvous. But wouldn’t it be great if, when future generations heard the word “sex”, it wasn’t simply brushed under the carpet and addressed as a dirty word?

E S SEX EX S X S X E E S X S E X EX S SEX EX S X S E X S X E E SEX X S S E X S X E E S SEX EX S X S X E E S X S E X S X EX E S E S X S E X S X E SEX X SE S E X S X E E S X S SE EX X S X E E S X S E X S X E Benefits of banging, according to our beloved readers “That glow after a good

“It’s a very natural thing within our

orgasm is unbeatable”

lives and being able to express and let out our emotions is vital”

“It’s a form of exercise

and much more enjoyable than the gym”

“Social skills”

“Pleasure, intimacy, good

hobby, feeling confident”

“Physical touch can enable someone to feel safe. It

can make you happier and relieve stress”

“Sex is a joyful and

pleasurable activity that can uplift you”

“Improved self image, better

connection to your body and other’s body, de-stigmatisation of sex”

“Fitness, inspiration, confidence”

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A Vicious Cycle

Having spent a lot of my young adult life sat in a rural boozer surrounded by cigarette-infused and bitter-obsessed bigots, I have always compared my understanding of females to theirs. As a result, I have walked around with my head held high knowing that I possess even just slightly more compassion than they. I mean, most of these men know more about the anatomy of a cow than they do the make-up of a woman. This all changed three years ago, when I met my girlfriend Tessa who suffers with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). It was at this point that I GRIP MAGAZINE

realised I didn’t know as much as I had originally thought about women and what they have to go through. In fact, I was nearly as ignorant as the men I sat beside in the pub! In my mind, the Pill was practically a condom that women swallowed and I had no idea the effects it can have on one’s body and mind — some good and some bad. So, with the theme of wellbeing plastered on my mind, I saw no better person to speak to than the one I care about the most and who has had to battle with her well-being every single day. 32

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A Tale of Male Throughout your life, what has well-being meant to you? I have always categorised well-being as exercising and eating healthy, and put any other health issues into a box and never really discussed them. As a teenager, I was given several different courses of medication to treat severe depression, which invariably left me in a worse situation and never seemed to be a solution to what was actually going on for me. It wasn’t until I turned 25 that I came across a condition called PMDD, and it was like a light bulb went on: ten years of symptoms finally matched up with a diagnosis. My take on well-being now is that it is a constant thing to work on throughout your life, and you must re-address it in different ways. What is PMDD and how has it personally effected you? PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and is a mood disorder connected to the menstrual cycle. In some ways you could link it to PMS — widely known and commonly experienced symptoms caused by the menstrual cycle. However, people with PMDD can also experience a range of severe mental health symptoms, such as depression and suicidal feelings. It constantly left me battling suicidal and depressive thoughts and a lack of diagnosis made it more confusing. No doctor ever mentioned the possibility of PMDD. It was always depression, personality disorder, or even bipolar disorder. From about the age of 15 I began to experience more frequent, severe depressive episodes, which would leave me collapsed in bed for days, rushed to emergency doctor appointments,

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which would result in a new prescription of anti-depressant being issued to me, only to make it worse. I also experienced severe anger, and flashes of violence, which was completely out of character and distressing to everyone. I was always a joyful and intuitive kid. As I got older, this ‘thing’ would loom in the background of my mind — I knew what was coming. Yet every time, as much as I tried to fight it, keep positive, and stay strong, within a matter of days I would be completely consumed with uncontrollable depression. It has impacted major life events, such as falling behind in education, dropping out of uni, and has been the root cause of many friendships and relationships ending. I really struggled to communicate what was happening, as I had no clear idea myself, and so my only defence was to shut myself away from people entirely. What does/did the Pill mean to you and has your view changed as you have grown older? The first contraceptive pill I took at 16 classically made me put on weight, yet it was contraception so it felt worth it. I tried several over the years, all which presented their own side effects: migraines, weight gain, a rise in blood pressure — and these are the less severe ones. It wasn’t until I was 21 that I switched to a new contraceptive pill and discovered it seemed to ease the years of my depressive mood disorder, which is when I first linked my condition to hormonal changes. Then, at 25, I came across the term PMDD. It became clearer that years of depression were somehow linked to my menstrual cycle, which was difficult to link as the contraceptive pill always distorted my

menstrual cycle anyway. So, in a way, the contraceptive pill was not simply a form of contraception, it became a lifeline to control all of the symptoms of PMDD for me. When the particular Pill I had been taking for four years went out of production in 2020, I had a breakdown. I was offered another Pill and within a month I was back to square 1. I was 26, spiraling out of control with depression, and once again unable to cope with life commitments. I decided to ‘quit’ the Pill as I knew I couldn’t rely on it forever anyway. In your opinion what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Pill? I think that, as a teenager, it was invaluable to prevent pregnancy but I do wonder what such a manipulation of hormones can do to your personal development, especially when people take it so young. On the other hand, many women will take the Pill for various reasons aside from contraception, for example to tackle skin problems, painful periods, and in my case I found a particular Pill that helped to control my PMDD. It is a double-edged sword, as it eased more severe symptoms of PMDD, but after nearly ten years of taking it I personally felt it had crushed my libido and stunted my emotions. Do you think the Pill is socially misjudged? If so how? Different people will have different experiences with the Pill. I believe that young women exploring contraceptive options need way more information and support, other than relying on a rash choice made at a doctor’s visit, as I remember blindly doing years ago. A key thing to understand is that the Pill

is not just one ‘Pill,’ there are hundreds, if not thousands of different types and combinations available, all that can assist with different needs. I would like to see more research and closer monitoring for women who take it. It is unfortunate that it can take years of disruption and confusion in your mind and body to find one that actually works for you. It is said 90% of those with PMDD are thought to be undiagnosed. Do you think more should be done to raise awareness? If so how could this be done? Completely. Many women still retreat into their own coping mechanisms for PMDD, as it is so widely undiagnosed. It can cruelly warp your entire life, and at times feels so hopelessly uncontrollable. Some years are a blur to me, as I struggled to get through month by month. It took ten years of doctor appointments and treatments before, by luck, I came across an article about PMDD. I would like to see doctors better prepared when it comes to young women’s health and hormones. Any advice to say to others? If you think you have some symptoms of PMDD, talk to your doctor about it. Another useful thing is to keep a diary of your mood, something which I avoided for ages but it eventually helped to link my mood to menstrual cycle. There is an app called Me v PMDD, which is a daily symptom tracker, and a useful resource centre. There are also plenty of blogs and forums online to read about others’ experiences. Mind’s information sheet regarding PMDD is also worth reading.

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When all is said and done, a magazine will never replace medical treatment.

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List of Helpful Resources A-Z of Mental Health by Mind The unknown can be scary, but this detailed guide can help answer a few of your questions regarding mental health. It provides useful information on a wide range of topics, including specific disorders, types of therapy and complicated names of medication.

Shout Text Service Phone calls can be daunting, so if texting is more your thing then Shout are here to help. They offer a free and confidential 24/7 support service, intended to “help you reach a calm and safe place, with a plan of how to support yourself going forwards.” Simply text Shout to 85258.

Samaritans Helpline If you’re really struggling or even contemplating suicide, please seek support from a crisis helpline. Samaritans is a 24/7 call service designed for “anyone who’s struggling to cope and needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure”. Through the 10,000 daily calls they receive, the charity provide ways to cope and the skills to be there for others. Call 116 123 for free.

Student Minds While many describe university as the best days of their life, it can also be an incredibly difficult period to navigate. This charity works alongside students to ensure they “have access to timely, youth-friendly support and resources” in order to “build their own well-being toolkit”.

The Mix Here at Grip, we understand that the well-being of young people can often be dismissed and lost in the sea of out-of-touch ‘adult problems’. The Mix is a digital information and support service for anyone aged between 13 and 25, designed to tackle the “embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-mesay-it-out-loud thoughts you have”.

Headspace While the digital service might not necessarily heal your mental health condition, it aims “to improve the health and happiness of the world”. Based on Buddhist techniques, Headspace offers a wide range of meditation techniques, sleep-aiding music and real-life stories to remind you that that you’re not alone.

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R WA

Eating Disorders

Dear Future Self, You’ve just blown out the candles on your 22nd birthday cake and, as the smoke zigzags around the romantically-lit room, friends and family members cheer. Later, you go out to celebrate your big day in the array of new clubs and bars that have replaced the large “CLOSING DOWN” signs that screamed from empty clothing shops during the pandemic. “Maybe you’re just making up for lost time,” a family member comments as she watches you apply lipstick one last time before you head out “on the toon”. You both shudder at the memory that, for over a year, clubs and venues where you could freely dance next to strangers were strictly off limits. Now, the word “Corona” simply ignites images of your best mates bringing crates of the refreshing alcoholic drink to not-so-tamed dinner parties. After the glorious and well-needed night out (after all, you are a hard-working stylist / journalist / copy-writer / whatever your boss needs you to do that day), you and your pals rush to the closest kebab shop and beg the servers for the largest portion of ketchup-smothered chips. The next morning, the glossy frosting of your birthday lemon drizzle cake still stands strong and you beam with pride at how your baking has recently improved. In your hazy hungover state, you reflect on the last couple of years and the changes that have taken place. Yes, moving to your favourite city has definitely been a highlight, but your biggest achievement comes from your mind and, of course, your stomach. Since being referred to the eating disorder clinic a couple of years ago, you’ve discovered how strong you are — I mean, truly strong, not the idea of fitness you conjured up through excessively exercising before that time. Despite the long (and frankly, very painful) hurdles in the first few months, you were determined to be less lethargic, nervous and ashamed. And, my God, have you achieved that. Now, when people embrace you in their arms (yes, hugging is actually permitted in this Corona-free utopia you live in!) you don’t feel fragile in their hold, like a shard of glass that could easily shatter into a million tiny pieces if they hug for too long. Meal times are now social events, instead of hidden and guilty rituals that you would hope no one would witness. Impromptu dinners out are your favourite event, and as

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you sit there, eating, drinking and cherishing the moment you are sharing with loved ones, you feel free from your need to plan every single meal. For a whole year, your eyes have stopped instinctually scanning food packages for those silly numbers that once decided your fate of what you will be putting in your belly. The only digits that occupy your mind during meal times now are how many minutes it took for you to cook your favourite dish, how delicious it is on a scale of 1 to 10, or how bloody expensive dining out in London is. Now, your partner worries about how smug you will be when you take a victory lap around the kitchen after winning yet another round of the ‘bake off’ competition you two carry out together. Gone are the days where he would confess he was worried you would faint during your commute home, looking at you as if you may break at any given point. On Saturdays — your favourite day of the week — you wake up to the sweet smell of pancakes being cooked in the next room. When a stack of the fluffy goods are then delivered to you in bed, you eat them excitedly and discuss what fun activities you should try out that day. The thought that you haven’t exercised before breakfast doesn’t feature in this conversation and hasn’t been a concern of yours for some time now. Let’s not beat around the bush. Not every day is perfect and you don’t idolise every single part of your body — nor do you want to. Sandra (the name you gave to the evil voice in your head that fed into your eating disorder) still catches up with you every now and then, hovering around you like a dark cloud. She’ll come to you in short bursts when an acquaintance complains about their weight, or ignorantly says how great they feel after skipping a meal. Sandra will tempt you with her powerful words and harsh tone, telling you “if only you ate a bit less” or “it hasn’t been long enough since your last meal”. But you don’t relapse. You know how to overcome these nasty thoughts and keep developing within your journey. You know it’s not a small waist that will land you your dream job and the people around you respect your intelligence and creativity, not your slim thighs. As you take a big bite out of your delicious birthday cake, you smile at the progress you’ve made and feel hopeful for the future, wondering what achievements you will be reminiscing over this time next year. Please keep going.

Love, A Very Tired Past You x GRIP MAGAZINE

Grip Grip Magazine Magazine recommends recommends ‘Everything ‘Everything Begins Begins with with Asking Asking forfor Help’ Help’ byby Kevin Kevin Braddock. Braddock.