Friday 20 November 2015

November Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We wish to thank the amazing speakers Cristian Montenegro, Rodrigo Fredes, Paula Peters and Dave Skull for their presentation at our Human Rights event at the Kingsley Hall last week.

As days are colder and shorter we received many apologies, however we were very pleased with the few but good participants that came along in support of the event. Specially delighted to see several Mad Pride members (please see details for event on 20th Nov below the page).

We were very pleased to hear the manifesto contained in the brand new Mental Health Manual of Human Rights presented by Rodrigo, which was recently presented in Europe, at the International Hearing Voices convention in Madrid. We look forward to see the English translated book soon. In the meantime the Spanish version is available to be purchased; please contact Rodrigo directly for more details on locospornuestrosderechos@gmail.com

Notes from the event are now available to be shared. Send us an email if you wish to have a copy.

F.E.E.L. is now 8 years old. This week, at our monthly meeting at LARC, we have discussed the work we have done in these past years, run entirely by complete volunteer initiative. Although externally for some people might have not meant much, for ourselves it has been of amazing benefit. We have now decided to have a sabbatical to take care of ourselves, possibly resuming the monthly meetings around February 2016. There probably won't be much action online either, as it's a much needed time for some media and social media detox, although we will do our best to support fellow campaigners events, when energy will allow us.

On a personal level, looking at the likeness of the figure 8 with the infinity symbol , there is a feeling of completion of what F.E.E.L. has served for ourselves and the community. Our message is out there, repeated infinitus, not only by fellow survivors, but from a large range of professionals around the world. Most of these, which might have first hand experience of mental illness themselves, have their own stories, their own evidence to share that match our own. Some people might have seen us as extremist, but probably those don't know, nor understand what we are talking about.

I have not got around sharing my personal story as I wish it to see imprinted; yet I am proud of being free from the damaging pshyco-drugs for over two years now. Nevertheless I am dependent to other meds that keep me alive and cannot incriminate Big Pharma from all angles. Nor I wish to encourage or push people to come off their meds; everyone needs to be free to make their own choices, responsible of the self and own life. Only suggestion is to stay informed!

My early (unedited!) blog posts still hold the strong feelings that have fuelled my involvement in F.E.E.L., which has been a great support in maintaining sanity in this crazy world. Thank you comrades!

Concluding, wishing you all to find strength and courage to go thought difficulties; always remember that either good or bad things never last forever. Make the most of your favourite ones!

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MENTAL HEALTH RESISTANCE NETWORK Event Friday 20th November

As part of MHRN's series of "SolidariTea" events at the Field in New Cross, on Friday from 7.30pm we will be hosting a Survivors Poetry performance with music and poetry from Dave Russell, Frank Bangay, Razz, King Miserable, C.T. and floor spots. Free crisps. All welcome. This will be preceded by a MHRN action-planning meeting.

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Tangled Up in Laing: Reading R. D. Laing

Host: Adrian Chapman. Venue: Arcola Theatre 24 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL

Date: Sat 21 November. Time: 12.30pm-2pm FREE To book: drop in
This discussion-based event introduces Laing, the radical Scottish psychiatrist, author and sixties counter-cultural figure (who played a part in the original anti-university of London). We’ll focus especially on Laing’s conception of alienation. Attention will be paid, too, to his influence and the ways in which he might be relevant today.

No prior knowledge of Laing is required. Brief photocopies of his work, on which discussion will be based, will be handed out. Why not make an afternoon of it? Book a ticket to see a performance of The Divided Laing following this discussion in the same venue. Adrian Chapman, who teaches English Literature and writing at American universities based in London, has published on Laing and anti-psychiatry and will take up a Wellcome Trust-funded research fellowship next year at University of Glasgow, where he will be researching in the R. D. Laing Archive.

www.antiuniversity.org/Tangled-Up-in-Laing-Reading-R-D-Laing

The Divided Laing. The play by Patrick Marmion is currently showing at the Arcola Theatre in Hackney, until the 12th of December

https://www.arcolatheatre.com/production/arcola/the-divided-laing

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The Survivors History Group London Meeting

The next Survivors History Group meeting is taking place on Wednesday 25th November. As usual the meeting will be happening at the mezzanine at Together, 12 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BE from 1pm to 4.30pm ish. Refreshments will be provided and everyone is very welcome.

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Mad about Poetry Books Launch 2
Thursday 26th November
Venue: Tea House Theater 139 Vauxhall Walk SE11 5HL. Door open 19:30

The most amazing evening coming to South London A magical evening of fun laughter and performance poetry with international poets. Never before and probably never again 17 of London's finest poets come together in one evening supporting 8 new title from W.C.H. Publishing , covering a range of emotion heartfelt express as only people who know. Their books take you on a journey of human hart string pluck to express the many different emotions. £3 entry, free for performers.
londonpoetrybooks.com/poetry/books-launch/

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William Blake's 258th Birthday Celebration

Sat 28th November, from 1pm
All are welcome to the William Blake Congregation's annual Celebration of Blake's Birthday at the Tate Britain, in the Blake room,(Turner wing) Millbank, SW1P 4RG. Free to attend. Bring Poetry, Music, Dance to celebrate William Blake 258th! Cake & Cava in the garden afterwards!

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Spark London Open Mic

Spark London has been called Britain’s first true storytelling club. Everyone is welcome to sit back and listen, or you can get stuck into the action and tell your own story. There are only three rules at Spark:
1) It must be true
2) It must be your own story, and
3) It must be under five minutes long.

With a different theme each time, you'll soon find yourself talking to friends and strangers about moments from each other's lives. Our aim is always to connect people through true stories. There are regular storytelling nights at the Hackney Attic and Upstairs at the Ritzy, and we put on a monthly show at the Canal Café Theatre featuring all the best stories plus special guest storytellers.

WORKSHOP: We run regular storytelling workshops to help you find and develop your stories. If there are no workshops listed on our events page then please email Joanna@sparklondon.com or join our mailing list so we can let you know what is happening when. www.sparklondon.com/attend.php

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***HEALING WAVE***

Sacred Cacao Lotus Love Journey @ Kingsley Hall, Bromley - by- Bow
Saturday 12th December 7 -11pm

5 Elements Meditation and Dance Sound Journey Sacred Cacao Ceremony with 5 element dance with the energy of AIR, with EARTH, with FIRE, with WATER. sacredcacaolotuslovejourney.brownpapertickets.com/

***Low income Online tickets £15
***Normal wages Online tickets £20
***At the door £25

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