Article #1: Mental Health

Despite the efforts to bring our nation up to the ‘politically correct’ and well-informed standard that we wish, I feel that we still have a problem when it comes to the issue of mental health.
Whether it is calling Pete Doherty a waster, describing Anorexia as a ‘phase’ or believing that those with Depression can ‘snap out of it’, on the whole we just don’t seem to grasp the reality of mental illness.

Mental health is an extremely complex, broad, wide-ranging issue with more factors to it than one could consider listing. Despite the daunting breadth of this subject, it seems we could all be better informed.

Depression and stress-related illness is one of the things that people most often seek help from their Doctors for. In fact, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. It affects most people directly or indirectly and can be just as life altering as any physical ailment. Yet it is still a taboo. With the affects being as far reaching as they are, you would think that mental health charities such as Mind are well supported; sadly, this is not the case. Mental health patients still have to struggle with issues of advocacy, waiting lists, social taboos, discrimination and this is on top of the often debilitating problem itself.

I recently watched a programme about ‘The 8 year old Anorexic’. The programme was, of course, devastating and bought up reams of questions about our society, the media and our values. It also spoke to me in another way: The family affected by this tragic case were quite obviously completely lost in the face of such unprecedented difficulty. Although they were able to get their daughter into a specialist centre, where she seemed to make a recovery, there didn’t appear to be any further support available to them. Within the rehabilitation centre the awareness was excellent and there were many professionals doing a great job; unfortunately, this help only went so far. Her family seemed to understand the generic symptoms/causes of her illness but they still struggled with many other aspects of it. At the end of the programme, after all they had been through, they still thought of it as a ‘blip’ in her childhood, a very serious one, but a ‘blip’ all the same.

Mental illness is not a blip, a phase, a hiccup or something you can shrug off. Like heart disease or diabetes, mental illness can be long-term and serious. Although there are varying degrees of severity, its consequences and origins run far deeper than most people imagine and it seems to me that people are more comfortable to view it as a temporary difficulty. Just as after a mild stroke one has to alter one’s lifestyle: after a spell of mental illness, one has to do the same. This doesn’t mean you are cursed forever but mental illness is a legitimate illness and if it is not looked after, will have very real consequences.

I think that we need to relax about this issue while realising how serious it can be. We don’t need to talk about it in hushed whispers, nor shout it from the rooftops, but we need to acknowledge and accept it.

Granted, people who have difficulties relating to their mental health can behave badly as a result: this, understandably, makes sympathising harder. For example, a person’s mental state is often publicly discussed when connected to crime and in these cases rarely with compassion. However, I believe it is only through sympathy and understanding that we can really help. Alcoholics or Drug-addicts may be self indulgent and seem to be carelessly destroying themselves and others, but you only have to look a little closer to see that they are having a bloody miserable time doing so. Would you like to be that person?

This need for empathy stems further and to less serious issues. If we accept the reality of mental health and look more closely at the impact it can have, we can begin to understand people’s motivation. Whether it relates to Bipolar Disorder, Alcohol Dependency, Phobias or even issues such as over-eating, we may be less inclined to suggest that an Alcoholic just needs to ‘stop drinking’ or that a ‘fat’ person should simply eat less. Better awareness relating to the issues of others may mean that a younger generation, suffering from such growing problems as Anorexia or Depression, can live in a climate of understanding: and that should make us all feel just a bit better.

Economy Gastronomy

True to my word I have begun looking at places to audition: I have signed up for text updates from a website with thousands of various auditions for everything from reality Tv to acting jobs. Hehe! You learn so much just looking at these things. I have also completed and sent off an application form for a new credit-crunch food programme. 'Economy Gastronomy' GENIUS! I love food and cookery too so if I do get any further, It'll be great fun.

The problem with most opportunities I have come across is that they are based in somewhere like London- which is impossible for me! What is wrong with Belfast I ask these people?!

I think in my next search I will look into more writing based opportunities and see where that gets me, in the meantime I will post a recent article of mine and hope to get some feedback.

The beginning..

So, how to begin? What is the best way to get my voice out there?

First of all I have my blog and I plan on posting my writing. I reckon it is important to get feedback on my opinions before I get them onto a bigger stage (I may find that after a couple of pieces of writing, the general consensus is to quit while i'm ahead!). I also need to be challenged. I can imagine me, with the best will in the world, finally getting onto question time. I have wonderfully thought through arguments and ideas: only I completely fall apart when someone actually questions me! So as I write, and post my thoughts, I would love some feedback- the good the bad and the ugly, It's all good to me!

Another thought I had, was to audition... for everything...

Quiz shows, Films, Tv, Extras, Debate, Radio, Talk shows, Competitions, you name it, I'll put my name down for it.

Why not, hey? Its getting my face, my name and my thoughts out there, meeting new people and gaining some feedback. I can try and learn what goes on behind the scenes, see where getting my foot in the door takes me. I can ask questions, face new opportunities and if I get nowhere, at least I will be learning how to cope with rejection.

Erm... I don't have the faintest idea where one would audition, but, being that I am sat at a computer I've a good idea where to begin. So, without further ado, Google here I come!

Hello!

Good afternoon, and welcome to my blog.

Through this blog I am going to try and track my journey from disgruntled retail employee to Question time panellist.

I have, for years been extremely interested in current affairs: whether they relate to media, politics, celebrity, health, literature... the list goes on... I am always thinking and when I listen to debates on the radio, the tv (especially Question Time) I always have so much to say.

A mixture of circumstance, procrastination and self doubt has meant that although I love to talk and write I have never pursued it any further. People have told me I should and sometimes, I believe them. But these things are easier said than done and thus far I have done nothing concrete to set me on my way to debate nirvana and a place on the panel next to the marvelous David Dimbleby.

So as I step into unchartered territory and begin my journey to become 'the voice of inexperience', wish me luck and I look forward to sharing it with you.