3 causes I’ll be championing in 2022
Happy (soon to be) NY !
I don’t want to write about NY resolutions that will see me grow spiritually or shrink physically. That’s just boring and completely unhelpful. BUT what I thought I would do is write about some of the causes and issues close to my heart that I will be championing or writing about in 2022…
I write a lot about mental health and have done for many years now - whether it be in fiction or non fiction, books or media, blogs or podcasts or just rants and outbursts on Twitter. As somebody who has worked in PR and media for nearly two decades, it’s perhaps unsurprising that challenging stigma is massively important to me, and I believe that stigma plays a part in so much more than feelings of shame and isolation (which are dangerous enough!)
Stigma undoubtedly plays a role in what types of services get funded and what policy changes we see. In fact, stigma can both feed into these matters and feed off these matters.
Put simply, stigma isn’t just about feelings, it’s about so much more. So here are 3 causes or issues I’d like to draw your attention to - along with the most common misconceptions we still hear about relating to each one.
1. Tackling Addiction stigma
I’m working with an amazing charity, Recovery Connections, to challenge the stigma around addiction. I’ve also previously worked extensively with the Road to Recovery Trust, another great charity based in the North East. Both charities seek to tackle stigma, promote peer support and recovery and provide safe, alcohol and drug free spaces.
One of the biggest misconceptions around addiction is that it is a ‘choice’. In fact, in 2020 I worked on some research while I was with NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s marketing research agency that found that 1 in 3 people believe that those struggling with addiction ‘brought it on themselves’.
Can anyone imagine choosing to become addicted to something harmful? Choosing to risk their lives? Given the fact that a significant number of us drink alcohol or buy the occasional scratch card and yet do not suffer from addiction to alcohol or gambling kind of proves a point - there’s much more going on when it comes to addiction than simply choosing to try something out. Trauma, co-morbid mental health problems, pain (physical or psychological) and perhaps even genetics. I’d suggest reading people’s real life stories about addiction to get an understanding as to why there’s nothing fun or recreational about living with an addiction.
A couple of things you can follow/look out for if of interest relating to this work are:
A new national online support forum for students in recovery or affected by addiction issues has been launched by Recovery Connections. HEART (Higher Education and recovery Talk) is free to access and you can find it here.
I’m also writing a lot on this topic in both fiction and non fiction at the moment as well as for the media. My next piece will be out tomorrow (New Year’s Day) with Metro so check out the In Focus section from NY Day.
2. Tackling the myths around psychosis
Psychosis is another highly stigmatised mental health problem. I’ve interviewed many people about their experiences on behalf of Time to Change, St Andrew’s Healthcare and Action on Postpartum Psychosis, and I’ve also been lucky enough to work with the amazing Coronation Street team on Carla Connor’s story (as well as working on some of their addiction stories too).
One charity that I’m currently doing a lot of work with is Action on Postpartum Psychosis - an organisation that exists to support families affected by postpartum psychosis (PP).
Imagine the best and worst moments of your life colliding - and being hit with a debilitating illness just as you’ve welcomed your new born. But then on top of that, imagine not being able to access care, or being separated from your baby while you get better, and, even worse, being subject to the pervading stigma that still surrounds psychosis. But you can’t plan for this - many women experiencing PP have never experienced a mental health problem before - it can strike out of the blue.
Most people who experience psychosis are vulnerable, yet we overwhelmingly still hear sensationalist headlines about violence related to psychosis- even though this is incredibly rare. This causes yet more isolation and shame, and leaves individuals and families struggling to find help and support.
Psychosis is often associated with schizophrenia in the media, but it can be caused by so many more things - PP (as already mentioned - which affects around 1400 women every year in the UK), bipolar, schizoaffective disorder, some cases of depression or extreme stress, use of drugs or alcohol - there are many different causes and it could happen to someone you know.
So, to understand more about what psychosis really is, the Mind website explains it in simple terms. To hear somebody’s experience of PP, check out the stories on APP’s website here.
3. Seeking solutions relating to workplace bullying
I was met with some pretty arrogant comments from a former (distant) colleague on LinkedIn recently. It all came about when I challenged his comment about how those who complain about poor leadership should look at their own shortcomings first (something along those lines anyway). I’ve experienced workplace bullying twice, and his ongoing comments seemed to suggest that I wasn’t bullied, I was simply incompetent (bear in mind I don’t ever remember speaking to this person prior to this exchange).
People who experience workplace bullying are still all too often considered weak or incompetent - and it is often suggested that they are crying ‘bullying’ as a way to hide their own shortcomings (although I’m sure this can happen). What’s more, if you’ve experienced it more than once, then that clearly shows a problem with you right?
Wrong.
I know in one of the two cases I experienced it that I wasn’t the only one who complained about the bullying - I was one of five. But only two of us walked out and legally challenged it. In doing so, you are left with a reputation as a trouble causer or, worse still, there’s a big fat question mark as to your suitability for your job hanging over your head. In choosing not to put up, you’re seen as the problem.
These comments I recently experienced only serve to evidence the fact that there is still too much shame and stigma around the reporting of bullying. And this needs to change.
I’ve written about this for the Independent and The i Paper (NB - that i paper headline wasn’t my choice!!) if anyone wants to take a look. One day, I’d love to be able to tell the full story and speak my truth but that might never happened if the law doesn’t change.
If you’ve experienced workplace bullying and want to vent, feel free to drop me a message - I know how difficult it can be to stay silent.
New writing project - call out for anonymous stories
Lastly, I am working on a non fiction project and would love to hear from anyone who has been affected by mental health stigma in relation to addiction, psychosis, eating disorders, personality disorder diagnosis or being admitted to a psychiatric ward. I’m also keen to hear from people who have been through the justice system due to their mental health coping mechanisms (e.g. drugs, alcohol, etc) and anyone who felt shamed for taking time off work for mental ill health.
Please do drop me an email if you want to share your story. If they are used, they will be completely anonymised and discussed with you first to ensure you are entirely comfortable with the representation.
The Twenty Seven Club
I can’t let 2021 pass without banging on about my book one last time! (Sorry). I’m keen to hit my target of 2,500 sales by 18th January and I only have 139 to go!!
If you’ve read it and are happy to leave an Amazon or Goodreads rating (or both) that would make my day! And if you haven’t read it and fancy buying a copy, you can order from:
Have a safe, fun and happy NYE!
Love, Lucy xx