Lyrical Insight

While battering chicken fingers for the FAMEKids group, I was listening to the Hozier self-titled album (2014). The song "Arsonist's Lullaby" was on, and I found myself washing my hands too often to re-play it. I recommend taking a few minutes to listen to the song before reading on.

On a quest for more information, I came across this lyrics website: Rock Genius. Individuals can highlight lines/sections of the song and comment on what they feel it means to them (you can click on a line and an elaboration will appear to the right), and I found it particularly interesting to read what people thought and shared about this specific song.

Music has historically been a means of release for many artists and musicians, and many listeners have found an empathetic shoulder to lean on. [Cat Power being the first artist to come to mind]. Often layered with enigmatic lyrics and metaphoric language, musicians are surely opening the platform for individuals the world over to engage in a conversation about what they think the song could mean, how it impacts them and myriad other thoughts and feelings. Certainly, sites like the one posted above offer a place to speak, allowing people who perhaps wouldn't voice their ideas naturally to raise their virtual hand in an anonymous and safe space.

Let me know what YOU think!

Caveat: Although I don't necessarily share the views that are written on the website mentioned, I feel it imperative to open the discussion surrounding such issues of mental illness and their public reception, as they are often laden with misconceptions and stigmatized perspectives.

Positive Dialogue for Supporting Recovery

      Speaking about the issues affecting our families can be challenging and at times leave us at a loss for words. Not knowing what to say can be confused with not caring and so we stay silent.  Like many other challenges to our loved ones, supporting an individual with an eating disorder (whether it be Anorexia, Bulimia or an EDONS) can leave us unsure of what to say. Unsure of when and what is appropriate to talk about can further the tensions we feel in the family.

In the following article, blogger Anna Rose speaks personally about suggestible phrases and templates of discussion to help ease into talking about the challenges felt by those living with an eating disorder. Though the article is specific to Eating Disorders, we can transfer these approaches to our own experience with supporting a loved one.

http://annarosemeeds.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/ten-things-to-say-to-someone-with-anorexia/

1. I love seeing your smile/your eyes light up/your sense of style/etc. Compliment something other than weight. There are so many beautiful traits that each person has. Finding a few that do not include words like “thin” should not be too difficult.
2. You are beautiful and worthy of love no matter what you weight is, was, or will be. This affirms the person and shows that weight is not what is the most important aspect of a human. There are more important qualities.
3. Would you like me to eat with you? Beware that the answer to this might be “No!” However, this simple action can mean so much. I realized that barely anyone has eaten with me at school. It is so lonely always eating alone. 
4. I have a granola bar/apple/glass of water/etc. You do not need to take it, but I would love to give it to you. Without pressuring someone into eating, you are showing how much you care about his or her well-being. Once again, the answer might be “no,” but the thought will not be forgotten.
5. It means so much that you went out to eat with us/had dessert with me/ate pizza with our friends/ect. Affirm times when your loved one eats scary food or in frightening situations. Show how that impacted others (including yourself) in a positive manner. 
6. It will be alright if you eat that cheese/trail mix/banana/cupcake. Your body knows what to do with it. Said in a compassionate manner, this can be so helpful. Be careful not to sound preachy or exasperated. Instead, just state the facts that the body knows how the process the food while sympathetically acknowledging that it is frightening.
7. How are things going lately? Do you want to talk? Simply being willing to listen without judging means so much. Hearing how someone with anorexia thinks might be painful. Actually listening without berating their eating disordered thoughts can be a huge blessing to them.
8. You are so strong. I believe that you will get through this. “Stay strong” is a common phrase said by people fighting for recovery. It might seem cliche, but it still is helpful as is your support.
9. Did that trigger you? When you say something that you realize could have been hurtful or upsetting, admit it. Instead of hoping that your friend or family member did not understand, ask the question and apologize if necessary. Everyone is triggered by different things.
10. I don’t understand that or how to help you. Tell me more. One of the most helpful things that you can do is just admit that you do not know what to do. Simply listening will teach you a great deal.

A Family's Perspective

Home on the Hill presents a Speaker Series event on
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH/2014
at ST. MARY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH in RICHMOND HILL @ 7:00pm.

From a family's perspective, Ana Long will discuss her challenges and successes in providing care to her son, who is a person living with schizophrenia.

" My youngest son has schizophrenia with concurrent disorders. This illness has greatly impacted the quality of life for my son as well as for me and my family. This is a journey that has forced us into an array of eye-opening experiences, some horrendous and heart-wrenching, some giving room for hope. Becoming educated in the matters of schizophrenia and related issues has been key to our daily survival, but the greatest source of hope lies in the empathetic non-judgmental professional and personal contacts which support us through our very many challenges." 

Ana will be introduced by Marvin Ross, a publisher specializing in books on serious mental illness and a regular blogger for both Huffington Post and his own blog 'Mind You'. He was the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award in 2013 from FAME for recognition of his contribution to the public's understanding of mental illness, and his untiring advocacy around mental health issues. 

This is a FREE seminar. 

Parking accessed through McLatchy Lane north off Major Mackenzie, just west of Yonge. 

For more information contact kathleen.mochnacki@gmail.com. 

Lookup Theatre: 'Talk to Youth Lately' Circus Program

Lookup Theatre is a charitable, not-for-profit company performing theatre, multi-media, circus, and aerial arts for rural and urban communities in Ontario. It blends traditional techniques with modern technology to create professional, entertaining, and educational shows. Performances draw on real-life experiences to inspire audiences to live happier and healthier lives. The mandate is two-fold: to produce professional circus shows and social circus work to engage and empower underserved youth through circus arts. The Talk to Youth Lately (TTYL) mental health social circus program is a group of young people ages 16-30 who have experienced mental health issues or are close friends and family members of those who have. TTYL uses a youth engagement approach, so all performances are written by young people, together with TTYL professional staff. Since the program began in 2008, TTYL has educated more than 15 000 young people and community stakeholders about mental health recovery, anti-discrimination and other relevant ideas both in high schools and at other public forums.

TTYL is currently writing a new show for universities and colleges in Toronto. This performance will focus on recovery-based messages of hope, and the idea that mental health and illnesses occur on a continuum, which are all human experiences. Using theatre and circus skills like juggling, acro-balancing, aerial circus and comedy, we tell our stories and connect with the audience. The youth develop a range of performance skills, receive support from each other and from staff, and get the opportunities to help people understand mental health and challenge the stigma.

For more information about the program specifically, or about Lookup Theatre, please contact Angola Murdoch, the artistic director at 1-647-267-7647.