Category Archives: Activism

Why “crazy” is lazy

Posted on February 15, 2017 by purplepersuasion

Paul Nuttall is a crazy, myth making liar. Donald Trump has a troubled mental status, and we should feel free to used the terms “nut case” and “mentally ill”. Indeed, he probably has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The climax of Piers Morgan’s mental … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Hospital, Politics and current affairs, Psychiatry, Social media, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Why “crazy” is lazy

Scary people need #TimeToTalk too

Posted on February 4, 2016 by purplepersuasion

Time to Talk day is here – a laudable attempt by umbrella campaigning organisation Time to Change to get as many people as possible talking about mental health. A quick scan of the Twitter hashtag shows that charities big and small, … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, mental health debate, Mental health services, Recovery, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Why don’t people with mental health problems just get a job?

Posted on December 9, 2015 by purplepersuasion

Last week I went to the House of Lords, something I found quite intimidating. Thankfully I was supported by a member of Rethink campaigns team in giving oral evidence to a Parliamentary Review. Chaired by Lord Low of Dalston, the Review was … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

I don’t ask for the moon

Posted on September 20, 2015 by purplepersuasion

So here I am in this… zone. It’s a zone that I’ve been in before, although not for as long this in years. I’m scared to write about it actually in case drawing attention to it bursts the bubble. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Bipolar, Depression, Employment and benefits, Medication, Mental health, Mindfulness, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Goodbye Samaritans Radar… hello Facebook report button

Posted on March 11, 2015 by purplepersuasion

There’s no denying that suicide is a very real and serious problem. In 2013 over six thousand people in the UK took their own lives, a tragic figure which suicide prevention programmes rightly hope to reduce. But you might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Social media, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

It’s my movie, and I’ll watch where I want to

Posted on February 11, 2015 by purplepersuasion

I often like to go to the cinema. Because I live in a big city, I am fortunate that I have more than one model of cinema experience to choose from. As in most places there is, however, a dominant … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Antipsychiatry, Mental health services, psychology | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

No desk to call my own: who exactly has “poverty of aspiration” round here?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Another day, another story about the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) “workfare” schemes, where people are made to work at any old job for their state benefits, rather than being paid a wage. We already knew that forcing people … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Bipolar, Employment and benefits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A guest at an awkward party: a service user observes the acrimony between psychologists and psychiatrists

Posted on November 28, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Last year I went to a barbeque with some friends, taking my partner and kids. It was a warm, golden evening. We sat out on the patio sipping wine and chatting while the children milled around, shooting each other with … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, mental health debate, Mental health services | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Mr Sam and his magical radar booth

Posted on October 30, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Suppose you find a cafe where lots of people with mental health problems hang out. Some of them go off into private nooks, but the majority sit round tables. They’re out in the open area with their cappuccinos and chai … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Now the party’s over: what is World Mental Health Day for, anyway?

Posted on October 11, 2014 by purplepersuasion

For the mental health community, it’s The Morning After. Those involved in the community have spent the past month pushing the mental health message. It’s been taken to political party conferences. It’s appeared on talk show sofas. 7th October marked … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments