Will Self introduces...

...A RECOVERIST MANIFESTO
Over 2014 I had the pleasure of working with people in recovery from substance misuse in Liverpool, Manchester, Pistoia, Pescara and Kütahya. The work we were all involved in was organised by Mark Prest of Portraits of Recovery and explored self-portraiture and cultural approaches to understanding addiction, but more than that, it gave all of us the opportunity to participate in the most compelling contemporary art experiences. 

As part of this cultural exchange and learning programme, people participating in the project shared insights and passion, frustrations and rage. This in part, is how the idea of a manifesto came about. Building on the Manifesto for Arts and Health, those of us involved in the project, built on the sense of community that the workshops enabled. So we created safe spaces for anyone who wanted to be involved, to explore our individual and shared experiences and aspirations.

The result is the RECOVERIST MANIFESTO which reflects some of the process and the conjoined words of people in different cultures, but with the shared experience of being in recovery from substance missuse. It’s here in English and Italian and very soon will be in Turkish and Lithuanian.

Will Self has written an introduction to the manifesto, which in a pamphlet that is free from logos and individual statements, may seem a little odd. It’s not. As someone who identifies as being in recovery and as an eloquent social commentator, his analysis of the manifesto and reflections on sobriety, are succinct and poetic. He does exactly what each of us involved in this work does - he gives voice and personality to the largely invisible face of addiction - and more importantly - recovery.

All of you that have taken part in this process - whatever your story - whatever your contribution - thank you. Let us tell our shared story with pride. We are Recoverists.

P A N I C
The brilliant NOUS magazine is exploring the territory of  P A N I C  for its latest edition. This is one of the best things out there. Contribute or find out more by clicking on the small panic above!

Funding for Digital Projects with a Social Impact 
The Nominet Trust which provides funding and support to technology with a social benefit, has announced that its Social Tech Seed Investment Programme will re-open for applications on the 17th March 2015. Social Tech Seed is an investment programme that offers early-stage investment of between £15,000 and £50,000 to social entrepreneurs and charitable organisations who are looking to develop new ideas to use digital technology for social benefits. This programme provides funding and support to help entrepreneurs nurture, develop and test their ideas. The Trust is looking for applications that demonstrate the potential of technology to tackle some of the big social issues in sectors including:
    Education
    Employability
    Healthcare
    The environment.
The closing date for stage 1 applications will be Wednesday 15th April 2015. Applicants successful at this stage will have to submit a more detailed stage 2 application by the 27th May 2015. Read more at: http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/how-to-apply/our-investment-programmes-0

Over the next month or so, I’ll be sharing links to some of the people I have been working with who are studying at the Manchester School of Art. This week, here’s a link to the illustrator John Hogan. See more of his work by clicking on the image above. Your diligent blogger may be a little quieter over the next few weeks, as he hunkers down with some all-consuming projects.

…and pause, just for a moment

Melanie Manchot

Last week George Khut illuminated and inspired those of us who attended his presentation here in the School of Art - thanks George. His work features in the current exhibition at FACT called, Group Therapy: Mental Distress in a Digital Age, curated by the brilliant Vanessa Bartlett. The exhibition contains work by 12 artists including Melanie Manchot whose work 12 is previewed here, but launches in its full provocative beauty, at Peckham Platform in May, touring nationally and at Castlefield Gallery in September. This work, which was commissioned by Mark Prest of Portraits of Recovery, ties into much of the debate around addiction and recovery. I’m thrilled to have been asked to contribute to the book that accompanies the exhibition alongside such luminaries including Peter Kinderman and Victoria Betton. The book is available on-line or directly from FACT. 

For those of you interested in health and digital technologies - I have had advanced notice of a very interesting new magazine, which may be looking for articles soon on video games and health - and the Victoria and Albert Museum are hosting a one day event called Art, Design and New Technology for Health on the 19th June. I'll be chairing part of the day and I can confirm some of the speakers look fantastic! To find out more and book a place, click on the image below.

For those of you with an interest in substance misuse and recovery, I am pleased to say that the Recoverist Manifesto is published next week in English and Italian, with Turkish and Lithuanian versions imminent! More details next week, but here’s a taster!

Exploring the links between the phenomenology of creativity and bipolar disorder

Arts for Health Research Associate, Dr Katherine Taylor has a new paper in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The links between bipolar disorder (BD) and creativity have historically attracted academic and public interest. Previous research highlights common characteristics of people considered to be highly creative, and those diagnosed with BD, including extraversion, impulsivity, divergent thinking and high motivation. In the first phenomenological study focusing on the links between creativity and extreme mood, an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used to collect and analyse in-depth interview data from seven people diagnosed with BD in the UK. Read more by clicking on the brilliant procraftinate definition below.

Something rotten in the state of England

I read that the government has awarded an NHS contract to a private firm linked to one of our recently exposed, scandal-hit MP’s, Sir Malcolm Rifkind. But the winning bid will actually cost the NHS more than a bid from local NHS services! Right now, much of the bidding for NHS contracts happens in secret. If NHS England made bidding processes fully transparent, we could hold the government to account. It feels like the NHS is being systematically dismantled and run in the interests of well connected private health firms. Find out how you can be involved by clicking on the greedy pig.

Inspiring Health - Young People's Arts and Health Conference 

ROCHDALE YOUTH SERVICE

Friday, 13 March 2015 from 01:00 to 08:00 (GMT)
Rochdale, United Kingdom
For all the details of this interesting event that's focused on young people, click on the Jake and Dinos Chapman image below for more.

Deutsche Bank 2015 Awards for Creative Enterprise 
Aspiring artists, designers and performers who want to launch themselves as self-employed professionals can receive practical and financial support from the Deustche Bank Awards for Creative Enterprise (DBACE). The Award provides winners with £10,000 start up capital, business training and mentoring to steer them through their first year in business and beyond. Final year arts/creative degree/masters students and graduates (from Summer 2014) at arts colleges/universities around the UK that have registered for this year's programme can apply as individuals or as a group. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on 31st March 2015. Read more at: http://www.dbace.uk.com

Pause for a moment…
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A terminally ill woman looks at a self-portrait of Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum. Dutch charity Ambulance Wens granted the dying woman’s last wish for a private viewing of the Rembrandt exhibition Photograph: Roel Foppen/AP

The Radcliffe Trust – Music Grants 
The Radcliffe Trust has announced that the next deadline for applications to its Music masking grants programme is the 31st August 2015. Through its grant making programme, the Radcliffe Trust supports classical music performance and training especially chamber music, composition and music education. Particular interests within music education are music for children and adults with special needs, youth orchestras and projects at secondary and higher levels, including academic research. The Trustees respond to applications and also initiate their own projects. Applicants must be a registered charity or an exempt charity. http://www.theradcliffetrust.org/guidelines.php

…everything's FINE

Next Tuesday’s networking session here at Manchester School of Art with artist George Khut is between 6:00 and 7:30 and is now booked up. Waiting list is HERE. Venue details will be emailed on Monday to those with reservations.

PARTICIPATE and EVALUATE - GROUP THERAPY: Mental Distress in a Digital Age
We would like to invite you to participate in the evaluation of GROUP THERAPY: Mental Distress in a Digital Age  the forthcoming exhibition at FACT that examines links between technology, society and mental health. The session will employ The Visual Matrix, an innovative approach to evaluation that was created by researchers Lynn Froggett, Alastair Roy and their team at the Psychosocial Research Unit at University of Central Lancashire. The method was developed in response to gaps in the range of processes available to evaluate the experience of interacting with an artwork or exhibition and in particular the emotional and affective aspects of that experience. It is being employed in this context as part of the PhD research of Vanessa Bartlett, who is using it as a tool to evaluate audience response to artwork that deals with mental health. The evaluation session will be followed by an optional discussion with Lynn Froggett, who will explain in detail the thinking behind the process. These activities would suit anyone with an interest in arts and health or innovative forms of evaluation. To find out more go to Vanessa Bartlett’s BLOG, or email her at info@vanessabartlett.com

What on earth is this? Well for those of you with an interest in Vorticism, you may think it’s an Edward Wadsworth - it’s not. This is an image from Vic McEwan’s work.

The Paddle Steamer Enterprise is the largest functional object at the National Museum of Australia. Launched more than 130 years ago, she is one of oldest working paddle steamers in the world. The Enterprise has worked as a cargo boat, floating store, fishing vessel, houseboat and showboat and now, with Vic McEwan as artist in residence at the National Museum of Australia, it has become part of an installation performance and will be played as a musical instrument. The vessel was launched in 1878 after being built in Echuca from river red gum. These trees, once plentiful along the Murray River, provided a ready source of hardwood for building and powering paddle steamers. The tannin from a handful of eucalyptus leaves thrown into the boiler also prevented the interior walls from corroding. Vic - this boat has stories to tell - we look forward to hearing about the performance and some of those stories when you come to the School of Art in a couple of weeks time. Time and date very soon on this blog - but for now, to whet your appetite - here’s a SNIPPET of Vic playing the boat, and a film below to give you some background.

Artists International Development Fund 

Arts Council England has announced that its Artists International Development Fund will re-open for applications on the 23rd march 2015. This is a £750,000 funding stream for artists to develop links with artists, organisations and/or creative producers in other countries. Freelance and self-employed artists can apply for small grants of £1,000 to £5,000 to spend time building these links to broaden your horizons and open your work to other perspectives. The programme is open to emerging and mid-career artists working in combined arts, literature, music, theatre, dance, visual arts and crafts and design. You must have received recognition for your work in England and not have extensive international experience. Your application must also include a letter of support from the overseas partner/host. The deadline for applications will be 5pm on the 1st May 2015. Read more at:

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/apply-funding/funding-programmes/artists-international-development-fund/

Funding for Artists & Bands 
The PRS for Music Foundation and Arts Council England have announced that the next application deadline for the Momentum Music Fund is the 2nd June 2015. The Momentum Music Fund is a £500,000 fund to develop the careers of talented artists and bands. It is anticipated that grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 will be awarded to between 50 and 75 artists/bands over the next 2 years. Applications can be submitted by the artists themselves or those who are working on their behalf, e.g. a manager, an independent label or publisher. Priority will be given to those that haven't been funded by PRS for Music Foundation in the previous 12 months. Read more at: http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/Funding/Momentum-Music-Fund 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        .

A Psychiatrist’s Take on “Fifty Shades”

By Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD



I am neither a film critic, nor a sociologist, but to me, “Fifty Shades of Grey” is neither groundbreaking cinema, nor does it herald a new cultural shift in sexual mores. It is, nonetheless, a fascinating narrative for any student of psychology, let alone for a psychiatrist with a specialty in treating sexual disorders. Hence, when asked to write about the movie, it was my pleasure to offer a few thoughts.   



“Fifty Shades” is the story of Christian Grey and college-aged Anastasia Steele, whom he sweeps off her feet and into his den of bondage, whipping and domination. Christian is a concert-level classical pianist and helicopter and glider pilot.  He is ridiculously handsome, under 30 and a billionaire. His Achilles’ heel is that he is the unfortunate victim of childhood physical and sexual abuse at the hands of older women, and, as a consequence, can only connect by inflicting sexual pain on the beautiful virgin, Anastasia. 



For all his power and sadism, Christian is also partly a victim himself. He teaches us about the lingering effects of childhood abuse, and introduces the audience to the practices of bondage, domination, sadism and masochism (BDSM).   Although being a “dominant” is Christian’s ‘thing,’ clinically, one would expect Christian to be a submissive who would seek out reenactments of his abuse at the hands of an older woman. 



Ana is essentially a young woman who falls in love with an older, extremely powerful and rich man – a story taken out of the Harlequin romance novels of a previous era. But there is a psychological twist as well. Ana lost her dad when she was young, and her mother appears to be an unrepentant romantic. Mom is so enthralled by handsome men that she smiles when Christian arrives unannounced, even though he is stalking her daughter. Hence, Ana’s psychological backstory is that she is vulnerable to an older, abusive man because of her own losses and trauma. 



There is a debate in the popular media how evil Christian is, and about the degree of abuse that Ana tolerates. Certainly, the fictional relationship between Christian and Ana could hardly be called healthy. Spoiler alert: if it’s any consolation they both leave the relationship with higher levels of insight and knowledge, ending up in better places than they started. (No doubt, their plots will thicken in the sequels!)



It may be pointless to discuss Christian and Ana in psychological terms since they are Hollywood creations. Yet, in the real world, BDSM is a group of accepted sexual practices among consenting adults and common among those seeking BDSM sex workers (or Dominatrices as they are called.) Often BDSM involves more pain than gain – in other words more tying up and humiliation with less emphasis on the sex and orgasm for the seeker or submissive. When occurring with little harm, most psychiatrists see BDSM as a variant of normal. When it consumes the person and prevents intimacy, the practice may rise to the level of a sexual disorder, sexual compulsivity or even addiction.  When the person focuses on a particular inanimate object, like a whip or stiletto heel in lieu of any other sexual or romantic contact, the diagnosis of a fetishitic disorder may apply.  



According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), once an unusual sexual practice causes impairment and harm to oneself or others, it is labeled as a paraphilic disorder with subcategories such as sadism and masochism. The American Psychiatric Association has made it clear that non-normative or unusual sexual behaviors are not, in of themselves, signs of mental illness unless the behaviors cause great anguish or real harm to the participants. This distress has to be beyond the guilt and distress that comes from engaging in behaviors that deviate from societal norms. In the case of BDSM, the DSM-5 is careful to discourage labeling atypical behaviors as mental conditions. However, when the behavior rises to the level of causing grief or harm, DSM-5 offers the diagnoses of sexual sadism disorder and sexual masochism disorder.  Psychiatrists can treat these sexual disorders with a variety of modalities ranging from psychotherapy, medication, peer support groups and family counseling with excellent outcomes.  As psychiatrists, we need to make the public aware that when these sexual illnesses occur, real help is available.



Whatever we may think about the sex and stories depicted in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” as psychiatrists, the popularity of the movie provides us with an opportunity to educate the public about the possibilities of improving the lives of those who have serious illnesses and who may suffer in silence and shame.





Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, is Director of Upper East Health (UpperEastHealth.com), a comprehensive practice in Manhattan that focuses on addiction and sexual disorders.  Dr. Rosenberg is also Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Cornell Weill Medical Center. 

Black History Month – African Americans and Mental Health

Ranna
Parekh, MD, MPH

As we celebrate Black
History Month, we reflect on African Americans’ place in US history. At the
APA, we give thanks to psychiatrists – such as Jeanne Spurlock, MD, Solomon
Carter Fuller, MD, Chester Pierce, MD, and a long list of Solomon
Carter Fuller Award recipients--whose great contributions continue to
influence our medical field.  It is also
a time when we are reminded of the unique mental health challenges facing the
black community and the importance in working together toward improved access,
assessment and treatment.  

The history of African
Americans predates slavery; however, its legacy and the ongoing discrimination
continue to impact the lives of African Americans today. Emotional strength, strong social connections, and
determination have enabled many African Americans to overcome adversity.
 Yet African Americans, just like people of all racial/ethnic backgrounds,
experience mental illness.

While rates of mental
illness in African Americans are similar to those of the general population,
African Americans receive less care and poorer quality of care and often lack
access to culturally sensitive care. For many reasons, African Americans face
particular obstacles in getting help for mental health concerns. Racism,
discrimination, cost or lack of health insurance, or distrust of the health
care system may prevent some African Americans from getting the help they
deserve. Stigma about mental illness can also pose a barrier, and blacks are
much less willing than whites to use medicines for a mental illness.

Also, African Americans
sometimes express mental illness and emotional distress differently than
others.  For example, among people with depression, blacks are more likely
than whites to complain of body aches or other physical symptoms. 

Racism
and discrimination have multiple effects on mental health.  Victims of
discrimination experience feelings of unfairness when dealing with mental
illness and those feelings make it difficult for them to do anything about it. 
In addition, the anticipation of discrimination, the perception of being in an
environment of discrimination, or seeing others being victims can contribute to
greater ongoing stress and anxiety.  

Chester M. Pierce, MD, emeritus
professor of education and psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and founder of
the eponymous Division of Global Psychiatry at the Massachusetts General
Hospital is to receive APA’s 2015 Human Rights Award. His life’s work included
studying people living in extreme conditions. In 1970, he coined the term microaggessions to help people
understand the continuing stain of racism experienced by African Americans.
Microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges
that send denigrating messages that are not overt discrimination – the person
may not even be aware of the denigrating action. Being continually subjected to
these microaggressions takes a toll on physical and mental health. 

This is also
compounded by the economic effects—blacks have much higher unemployment and
poverty rates than whites.  In January 2015, the unemployment rate for black
 men over 20 was more than twice that of
white men (11.4% vs 5.2%) and the unemployment rate for black youth age 16-19
was significantly higher than white youth (30% vs 17%). 

Also, African-American men are less likely to seek help for medical problems and
mental health concerns often become secondary to any medical concerns. Physical
conditions and conditions affecting the mind are connected in many
ways--problems that first affect the mind can later increase one’s risk for
physical problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or malnutrition. And
physical conditions, such as a disease or an accident, can affect the mind
(i.e., emotions, thinking, and mood). African Americans have a much higher
risk than white Americans for many types of chronic diseases, such as diabetes
and heart disease.

The California Mental Health Services Authority has developed a 

video and discussion guide about young black men and
mental health. 

Beyond the Beat and the Lyrics --
Understanding the Impact of Stigma and Discrimination on the Mental Health
Status of Transition-Aged African American Males,"  is intended to raise
awareness and stimulate conversation.

Mental disorders are
nothing to be ashamed of. They are real medical problems, just like heart
disease or diabetes. As with these illnesses, there is help available and much
you can do to support or improve your health. Like all people with mental
illness, African Americans, do recover and go on to lead productive and
fulfilling lives.

Ranna
Parekh, MD, MPH, is the director of the Division of Diversity and Health Equity
at the American Psychiatric Association

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2015: Speak Up and Speak Out

By Deborah R. Glasofer, PhD

Reviewed by B. Timothy Walsh, MD

This
week marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It is a
time to speak up about eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia
nervosa and binge eating disorder. Many of us fall prey to messages about what
is and is not beautiful or healthy. For people with eating disorders, however,
the problem extends far beyond any messages heard from the outside world.
Individuals with eating disorders struggle – perhaps because of their biology,
or as a result of persistent behavioral patterns – with critical messages from
within that define health or beauty narrowly or with great distortion.

Eating
disorders do not discriminate. They impact women and men of all ages, races,
and sizes, although they most often affect girls and women between 12 and 35
years old.

Eating
disorders do not tread lightly. These are dangerous illnesses characterized by
behaviors (e.g., severely restrictive eating, purging) with potentially
life-threatening physical consequences. They can negatively impact
psychological health – obsessing about food, eating, or body size, rigidity in
thinking, overall anxiety and mood – and carry an
increased risk of suicide.

Listen
to learn more about the latest
breakthroughs in eating disorders understanding and treatment, including
cognitive neuroscience and pharmaceutical research. Read up to learn more from
the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders, a part of the New York State
Psychiatric Institute, about spotting an
eating disorder and approaching a
child
(of any age), a teammate, friend, or
loved one
about whom you are concerned. Listen in to learn more about who’s who on an
eating disorder treatment
team,
and differences between treatment
setting options.




Deborah R. Glasofer, PhD, is a clinical
psychologist at the Columbia
Center for Eating Disorders and an
assistant professor of psychology in the Columbia University Department of
Psychiatry.

"…the quiet attention of others."

Coral Mallow

An evening with George Khut
So after all the brilliant feedback from last week’s Chaos & Comfort event, and keeping my promise, I’m pleased to confirm that we'll be hosting three FREE events over the next few months - another 'big event' in June and before that, another visit from Vic McEwan in later March, but before that the Australian artist, academic and interaction-designer, George Khut! 

George is part of the forthcoming exhibition at FACT, Group Therapy - Mental Distress in a Digital Age and a friend of Arts for Health. For the past 12 years he has been working with biofeedback technologies, creating intimate, body-focussed interactive artworks experiences, that re-frame our experiences of embodiment and presence. In addition to presenting his work in fine-arts galleries and museums, he has been developing new audiences for interactive and participatory art with exhibitions and research projects in hospitals, starting with The Heart Library Project at St. Vincent’s Public Hospital in 2009, and more recently with his collaboration with Dr Angie Morrow, Staff Specialist in Brain Injury at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Kids Rehab. George will be sharing his work on Tuesday 3rd March at 6:00 until 7:30pm at Manchester School of Art. As with most of our networking events, if you want to share your own practice or research, we'd welcome input from those of you exploring digital art and new technologies. There are limited places at this event. Find out more and register for a place by clicking HERE. Watch one of George's films about pain relief for children undergoing painful procedures below.

“...the quiet attention of others”
Again I recommend the reflective and poetic blog of Mike White as he shares the day-to-day realities of his palliative care. 

MAPSI CONFERENCE CALL

Conference and study visits
Insights and Tools for Managing Arts Projects with Societal Impact
July 7th 2015 in Tallinn
A vital question today is how art and culture can interact with and enrich the society. The first MAPSI (Managing Art projects with Societal Impact) international conference, held in Tallinn, July 7th 2015, aims to bring together researchers, academics, students and educators as well as practitioners involved with artistic and societal activities in order to explore the emerging issues around the managing art project with societal impact topic. We are focusing on contributions where arts and cultural issues are managed to achieve public and societal objectives from various disciplines; all management approaches, cultural policy, social sciences art and economics. As a part of the conference, the study visits to organisations involved with societal impact of art will take place. The program will be also enriched with the optional study visits on July 6th and showcasing of Estonian music. Click on the photograph of Linnahall, the former V.I. Lenin Palace of Sports and Culture, to find out more.

Get Creative
Perhaps as a reward for diligently paying your TV Licence fee, the BBC feel compelled to do something for the larger public good - whatever - here is their current public engagement offer...

Get Creative is a major celebration of the nation's arts, culture and creativity. Led by the BBC and What Next? in collaboration with a huge range of arts, cultural and voluntary organisations, everyone is invited to get involved and share their creative talents. Get Creative will launch on 19 February 2015 with a week of debates and activity across the BBC and around the UK and will last for 12 months. The campaign will culminate in a celebratory weekend over 20 & 21 February 2016. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/sections/get-creative 

Ambition Giving
Grants of up to £2,000
Deadlines: 2 March 2015, 30 April 2015, 31 July 2015, and 30 October 2015.
Ambition, a leading national youth charity, has launched Ambition Giving. As part of the charity’s 90th anniversary celebrations it is offering grants throughout 2015 to groups in the UK to help deliver activities to young people (under the age of 24 years) in their community. The funding will support a wide variety of projects and is open to applications from young people, youth clubs, charities, community groups, resident associations and voluntary organisations. Ambition has at number of overarching outcomes for all of its programmes including, Improved health (both physical and mental).

http://www.ambitionuk.org 

Grants to Help New, Innovative Visual Arts Projects (UK)
The Elephant Trust has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 13th April 2015. The Trust offers grants to artists and for new, innovative visual arts projects based in the UK. The Trust's aim is to make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when confronted by lack of funds. The Trust supports projects that develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the fine arts. Priority is now being given to artists and small organisations and galleries who should submit well argued, imaginative proposals for making or producing new work or exhibitions. Arts Festivals are not supported. The Trust normally awards grants of up to £2,000, but larger grants may be considered. http://elephanttrust.org.uk/docs/intro.html 

Oliver Sacks talks about his recent terminal prognosis 

"Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure." Read more by clicking on the image below.