Monday, July 1, 2013

Dandelions & Bad Hair Days: Now on Kindle

Dandelions and Bad Hair Days, a collection of poetry and prose edited by Suzie Grogan, has been mentioned here several times in the past. Released in October 2012, the book is finally available on Kindle from Amazon.

For those who don't know, the book is a collection of pieces written by sufferers of various mental illnesses. I am lucky enough to have two contributions in the book, a copy of a guest post I did for Suzie's No More Wriggling Out of Writing site & a poem, 'Loneliness', which Suzie found in my Scribd collection.

The book is a look at the world as seen by those that live each day with mental illness. It's not just a book for other sufferers, but for carers, friends, family & the community. It may help people understand our daily struggles better.

Additionally all profits from the sale of both the paperback & digital versions of the book go to SANE UK & other nominated charities. So by purchasing the book, you not only get a great read, but are supporting mental health charities.

I hope you will take the time to spend a few dollars for a good cause and some enjoyable, insightful reading.

Take care
Mark 

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

NSW Mental Health Services Cut

New South Wales Mental Health minister Kevin Humphries says the federal government has drastically cut new treatment services for the mentally ill in the state.


NSW Mental Health Mister
Kevin Humphries
Funding had been secured to create four Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Centres in NSW, which would haven given a large portion of the population better access to treatment if they began to develop a psychotic disorder.

But two years of planning & negotiations were wasted when the now former federal Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler announced in a press release last month that NSW would only get one centre to be run by the charity Headspace - the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

It is thought that difficulties in negotiating agreements has led to the federal governments decision. This was despite already approving four centres in NSW & opening negotiations for two more.

Source & full article: The Sydney Morning Herald (01 July 2013)

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Just For Laughs

We all need to just laugh sometimes, it can make life seem a little less serious. Saw this & just had to share. Don't hold back, just enjoy for the sake of enjoying.



The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Bipolar Research Subjects Needed - Sydney

Early next week I'm off to Sydney to participate in a bipolar research study at the CADE Clinic, an outpatient service based at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. The study 'Thinking Clearly With Bipolar Disorder' is being conducted by Dr Genevieve Curran.


She is seeking adults with bipolar disorder to participate in a research study that investigates how bipolar & lithium alter brain cognition (memory, concentration, attention, etc). It doesn't matter if you use lithium or not, subjects from both groups are needed.

From what I understand the study involves a session talking with Dr Curran, a session on a computer playing games, solving puzzles, etc & then possibly an MRI scan.

More information on the research study can be found on the CADE website, by calling Dr Curran (02 9462 9900) or by emailing her at grcurran@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.

I you feel you could suitable for this study please participate. In the long run the study could benifit us all, you never know.

Until next time, take care.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Music - At Times Life Can Feel Like A Prison

At times life for those suffering from any mental illness can feel like a prison. Often it can be almost in a literal sense with, locked inside their own world, their own home. The following song by a great Australian band sort of describes how I feel at times.

Cold Chisel with 'Four Walls', enjoy.


Take care until next time.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Dreams, Nightmares & Screamscapes...

I have dreams & nightmares, everyone does. But 99.9% of the time I can't remember them on waking and the rest fade from memory in minutes. I think often it's a good way to be, you forget the good ones but also no memory of the bad.

But this morning was different. For the first time ever I awoke shaking & physically ill because of a, to me, very distressing dream. And I have to admit I have no idea how to deal with it or what to think of it.

The subject of the dream touched very heavily on my past, something that devastated my life, even as a toddler. It took the event, twisted it & expanded it to a very disturbing degree. And now I just can't shake it.

So I'm opening this up to ideas, thoughts, stories & suggestions. If you have ever had dreams or nightmares that have shaken you to the core, how do you deal with them? How have you coped with the mental anguish they can cause?

I really am all at sea with this one.

Take care until next time.

Mark.

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Music - To Feel, To Hear, To Learn

As I've said previously, music means a lot to me, something that can touch me when nothing else can. So I'm going to start posting songs that mean something to me in one way or the other.

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to be directed at those suffering depression or feeling life is not worth the effort. Not love songs, but ones that seem to go directly to those feeling lost in the world.

Nickelback is one of my favourite bands and their last album 'Here And Now' contains a song called 'Lullaby' which seems to be one of these songs. Forget the video, just listen to words. Just remember, there is someone there for you, whoever you are.



Take care & enjoy.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Getting Back Onto The Horse

Not posting as much as I should be. Always feel at times I'm not only letting myself down but others as well when I go quiet like this. I know I 'shouldn't' feel bad not posting but we all know how that goes.

So for now I will just content myself with trying and post something every few days, no matter what it is. Hopefully it will be something fun, interesting or informative, but no guarantees.

Take care everyone.

Mark

The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Cancer Claims Aussie Music Icon - Chrissy Amphlett Dead at 53

Music has always been something special to me, the one thing I've always been able to connect to emotionally when nothing else could touch me. Sadly, today it is bringing me nothing but tears.

In New York on Sunday, Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of the Australian band The Divinyls, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 53. Chrissy also suffered from MS which meant she could not receive many of the normal cancer treatments such as radiation therapy & chemo.

The passing of Chrissy has touched me deeply, probably because her voice was a big part of my late teens & twenties as The Divinyls rocked their way through the 80's & early 90's. From "Boys In Town" (1982) to their biggest international success "I Touch Myself" (1991 - No1 in Aus, No10 in UK & No4 in US) and beyond, Chrissy's voice always seemed to be there.

Rock-in-Peace Chrissy, you are an inspiration to many, remaining a part of the Oz music scene even as you battled for your own life. You music will live on forever. Thank you for the pleasure your voice gave us.

For those who haven't heard The Divinyls, here's their prophetic 1984 single "The Good Die Young".



The information contained in this blog can not be considered medical advice. These are only my own thoughts, feelings & ideas. If you or someone you know are having problems with mental illness please seek qualified medical advice.