End the Stigma with Philanthrobeats // Review
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End the Stigma with Philanthrobeats // Review
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Philanthrobeats Podcast - 004: End The Stigma Highlights by Radio Magnetic on Mixcloud
‘Mental health’ is a concept which encompasses one of the most confusing, influential, scarcely researched and poorly understood of human phenomena. Our modern climate of rapidly changing social norms, media dictated body image, concentrated urban life and even poor diet has given way to an ever-growing list of ailments. Anxiety, depression, OCD, bi-polar disorder, ADHD, cyclothemia to list but a few. Each new addition brings with it a plethora of new solutions and treatments - from mindfulness and meditation to quick-fix chemical solutions, both legal and illegal.
Statistically speaking, 1 in 4 adults in the UK will experience mental health issues every year. Why, then, are we so scared to talk about it? If it’s something that effects so many of us in our day-to-day life, then why do we find it so hard to seek help when we need it the most? Where does this stigma come from?
On 16th May, Philanthrobeats organised its first non-music focused event as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2014. Upstairs in the Old Hairdressers on Renfield Lane, we presented a free evening of mixed media art, spoken word, poetry, performance and film to raise awareness, tackle the stigma and urge people to seek help. Self-expression is one of the most powerful and intrinsically human characteristics we have and sharing our experiences can be an amazing solution to life’s problems, whatever they may be.
The evening opened with a series of short films from Glasgow-based charity Theatre Nemo and local artists Cliff Andrade, James Buchanan, James Denney and Annie Crabtree. The films tackled various aspects of mental health issues from depression to the horrific by-products of US benefit cuts and San Francisco’s ‘Manhattanization’ development in the 1980s, which lead to the widespread closure of mental institutions and mass-neglect for the resulting influx of homeless citizens.
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Following the films, a short break allowed revellers to pop downstairs to the bar for some original music from Alan Austin and PB Resident Tuscan Whale. Those who chose to stay upstairs had a chance to take in the varied and thought-provoking visual artwork and photography from Tommy Ga-Ken Wan, Leila Khoshoie, Nikita Montlake, Paul Wilkie, Reginald MacDonald, Tatty Bon, Sandy Grant, Sarah Grant and Marcus Jack. Amongst the artwork was the ‘Sharing Wall’ – an open forum for anyone and everyone to share their thoughts, feelings, secrets, inhibitions and solutions to mental health disorders and the associated stigma.
Universal Comedy, a charity with a uniquely creative approach to mental health disorders, then took to the stage. Universal Comedy is a based in the Hidden Lane, Finnieston, where they provide stand-up comedy and sketch-writing workshops to help all types of sufferers overcome their inhibitions and feel positive about themselves and the people around them. Shug, Stuart and Eileen stepped up to the mic, blending their weird and wonderful anecdotes with quick-fire one-liners in a performance that artfully created the best possible cure to the blues – non-stop laughter.
Once the giggles had subsided, the mic was passed on to a long list of spoken word and poetry artists, from seasoned professionals like Loki and Sam Small, to total newcomers like Leila Khoshoie and Christina Knowles. The speakers bravely shared a mixture of sad, uplifting and inspirational words - captivating the crowd and moulding the atmosphere into one of warmth and comfort. As Loki drew the event to a close, there was a true sense of unity and compassion among the crowd – one of the strongest we’ve ever felt at a Philanthrobeats event. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all the speakers, artists and musicians that made this night so special.
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Amanda Mitchell has kindly taken the time to compile a podcast of the spoken word highlights, which can be heard on Radio Magnetic here:
http://radiomagnetic.com/shows/philanthrobeats/philanthrobeats-podcast-004/
Recordings of the full list of acts can be found on our Soundcloud:
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Words: Marco Biagini Photos & audio: Amanda Mitchell Illustration: Alice Healy-Smith