Fifteen poets who have experienced mental health problems have staged a special show in Leicester. | "This isn't just a bunch of poets talking about mental health - the whole point is to get away from that and show that they're ordinary people" | | Rob Gee |
It is part of a pilot project being run by poet and comedian Rob Gee and Leicester-based mental health education project Remit. Mr Gee says the scheme is not just a vehicle for people to talk about their problems. He said: "This isn't just a bunch of poets talking about mental health - the whole point is to get away from that and show that they're ordinary people".
 | | Rob is a former psychiatric nurse |
The Brighter Side show was held at Phoenix Arts Centre in Newarke Street on 26 January. It was the result of workshops former psychiatric nurse Mr Gee has been running with people who have had mental illnesses and other psychological difficulties. Mr Gee, aged 33, from Highfields, says there will hopefully be more events staged in the future. Read some of the workshop participants' poems below:
UNTITLED by Angela Lewin I like to wear makeup
But only if it's bright I like walking the dog
But not on a cold night I like the seaside
But not in rough weather I like going to church
When we're all together I love to eat
But not baked beans I like new clothes
But I don't like jeans I like to be out
When the sunlight shines And all these things that I enjoy
Make me feel fine THE UNLABELLED by Julie Blakey Mental health?
I need mental stealth
Like a Stealth Bomber needs a foghorn A name, not insane
Survivor of the mental health system
Is that just another label
Could we develop another
Like no other? Mmmm… Now time for positivity plus a name that celebrates us
If political correctness is just advertising on a bus
Then I'm off at the next stop Mental health system user
Judging those who abuse the label we've been given
Bipolar has nothing to do with bears
Schizophrenics do take best of care
Depressives are everywhere
Psychotic and neurotics, just dare… …to be appropriate
And learn how to wait
Just part of being a "client"
And not a miscreant
So what do you want?"A name not a label"
What do you chant
"I'm mostly stable" And a capability crown
Goes hand in hand with my disability frown MIND YOUR HEAD by Nick King Mind your head
Mind your business
Distraction! Occupation! Stimulation!
We will take your mind off your mind for you
Remember your head
Mind your head
Mend your head
I don't mind your mind
Just mine
I dislike the fact that it's mine
Mind your head
Mind your business
And how to clear it
Mind your head
Wherever possible each day
'Mind' is just another four letter word
Along with life, love, work, dead, loss, Nick and King and HELP!The most offensive of the four letter words is 'Can't'
Because it doesn't exist
You can't just give up Nick
There's no such word as can't
So I can't say can't.
Why can't I?
Mind your head
Remember your head
Mind your business
Take your mind for a walk
When I walk
I walk like the Devil
I'm always worried
A serious creature
When I walk
The moon walks with me
And I'm always worried about something
I don't think I was meant to be happy
I am always worried about something
Mind your head
Mind your backs
Watch your back
Cover your backs
Cover your tracks
I've no desire to travel the world
I'd only be disappointed
When all I find there is myself
Just remember
When you get into bed
With yourselves at nightThere's two of you in there
Mind your head
Remember your head
Mend your head
Mind your head
Look after yourself
Look after your self
And for goodness sake
MIND YOUR HEADSSSS! | 
