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13-12-2016 11:36 AM
13-12-2016 11:36 AM
Art and Mental Illness
I've read Mark Vonnegut's books (son of Kurt) 'The Eden Express' and 'Just like Someone without mental illness, only more so' which are wonderful reads of Mark's experiences with mental illness. Mark often makes the point that art is a singularly useful and benificial way for the mentally ill to express themselves.
I write songs and poetry and can honestly say it has helped me. This is a poem I wrote this morning:
Stay Away from Robert
You should stay away from Robert
He's not been very well
He's had some kind of breakdown
Which I'm sure that you can tell
You should stay away from Robert
He's ashamed of what he's done
But no one gets a second chance
No, not even one
You should stay away from Robert
If you don't know what to do
For he might be contagious
And you could catch it too
You should stay away from Robert
Desert him as a friend
You don't need the drama
Of a patient on the mend
You should stay away from Robert
Leave him on his own
You should not be near him
When he's sinking like a stone
You should stay away from Robert
He's sad and he's depressed
And the comfort that he craves from you
Must never be expressed
You should stay away from Robert
There are dragons in his mind
And you mustn't waste your effort
Being merciful or kind
You should stay away from Robert
He'll wound you, it is true
And friends are just for keeping
For what they do for you
You should stay away from Robert
Don't say a single word
Perhaps your love could help him
But that would be absurd
There is no 'Robert', of course. I'd be interested in the work of any others on the forum who find their art, particularly writing to be helpful.
zenman55
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13-12-2016 01:33 PM
13-12-2016 01:33 PM
Re: Art and Mental Illness
Stigma of MI, is unfortunately around & this is sometimes the treatment we receive from others.
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13-12-2016 04:38 PM
13-12-2016 04:38 PM
Re: Art and Mental Illness
Hi @zenman55,
Thanks for the post! There's quite a few avid writers here on the Forums. If you're interested, probably one of the best threads to check out on the topic is Writing As A Form of Therapy started by our good friend @Silenus. I know @BlueBay also finds writing helpful as a form of expression.
supernova.
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13-12-2016 04:54 PM
13-12-2016 04:54 PM
Re: Art and Mental Illness
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16-12-2016 03:19 PM
16-12-2016 03:19 PM
Re: Art and Mental Illness
A park bench
Is temporary shelter
For my own imaginings
Where i flee
The sun itself
Dictates my moods
When it shines there is
Nothing beyond me
But the coming clouds
Flood me somber
Drain my sunshine
Cloud me over
Drowned by shadows
Regretful intrusions
Deadening landscapes
A definite dark
And then..
Quickening light
I wax and wane like the heavens
Wispy beginnings and then tumult
An almighty roll cloud
An emerging colossal shadow
And then a magical meteor
I am one ufo
Seeking shelter
On a park bench
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16-12-2016 07:24 PM
16-12-2016 07:24 PM
Re: Art and Mental Illness
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16-12-2016 08:48 PM
16-12-2016 08:48 PM