mental health

Words and mental health: Our healing depends on a language that doesn't exist yet

Words and mental health: Our healing depends on a language that doesn't exist yet

As children grow, the language they learn communicates significant meaning in relation to cultural beliefs, attitudes and identities. Therefore we cannot segregate language learning from cultural learning. As children learn to speak, the words inevitably carry codes and meanings that are embodied in the culture associated with the language. This raises an interesting discussion – if language has been pivotal in creating the infrastructure which upholds negative stereotyping surrounding mental health problems, does it have a role to play in reversing these attitudes?

Humanising Depression: Four People's stories

Humanising Depression: Four People's stories

If you were to look up depression on the internet, you might find information pages which outline common causes, symptoms and cures. Could this description really help you to understand the day to day struggle of what living with depression meant to different people?.In order to help people better understand what living with depression feels like, I asked 4 contributors 5 unconventional questions. This is an insight into people’s personal lives and their day to day struggles, told in the form of memories, stories and imagination.

The secret lives of British Asian women and the trauma of duplicity

The secret lives of British Asian women and the trauma of duplicity

Duplicity that is born at the intersection of two cultures may lead the individual to two opposing and conflicting lives in order to be accepted and respected in two communities simultaneously. In this scenario, the conflict between two sets of ideals, beliefs and expectations, is not resolved externally through communication or compromise, but internally, resulting in an individual becoming accustomed to lying, deceiving others and compromising personal values. Is this inauthenticity inherently traumatic and what implications can it have on our life choices, opportunities and sense of identity? Read through these personal stories and accounts to learn more about the secret lives of British Asian women.

The paradox of individualism: capitalism and the self at odds

The paradox of individualism: capitalism and the self at odds

As far back as our history extends, we can identify the insatiable human desire to belong. A sense of belonging is fundamental for human wellbeing and happiness; our ability to survive the inevitable setbacks and heartaches life brings depends on our ability to both give and receive help, support and love. Belonging depends on interconnected communities and societies which intrinsically value individuals and their values, interests and contributions. Capitalism, by its very nature, judges an individual’s worth on the basis of their economic output; by default anyone who cannot fulfil this expectation is less able to belong. Given this paradox, are we able to curate inclusive, connected communities within capitalist societies? What might this look like?