Welcoming The Black Dog

Andrew Solomon: Depression, the secret we share

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share.html

I had a black dog, his name was depression 
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

Nigel

Mental Health Is Rooted In The Context Of People’s Lives

2012

Mental health in context: the national study of work-search and wellbeing (DWP)

Summary
Full report

"Conclusion

The findings indicate that CMDs contribute to poorer employment outcomes, because by their nature, they erode beliefs about abilities and optimism about the future. But entering employment can support recovery.

More broadly, the study has shown that mental health is rooted in the context of people’s lives. Poor physical health, low levels of social support, neighbourhood context and adverse life events all play a role in whether or not someone will experience a decline in mental health during a period of unemployment.

However, there is an important distinction for policy-makers to consider between people who arrive on JSA with relatively stable employment histories having developed symptoms of distress as a result of recent life events, and those for whom a mental health condition is one issue among an array of longstanding life adversities."

Nigel 

With Tragic Consequences For The Sufferer And For Society

June 2011

Perspectives on depression, gender and crime: Depression sometimes masked, missed and misunderstood

"This article offers both a literature review, and perspectives on the definition and nature of depressive illness, its various modes of presentation, and its significance in male, female and adolescent populations.

It provides a brief review of some of the ideas about the aetiology of depression, outlines how to recognize it and discusses its relevance to forensic populations.

Finally it suggests how early detection of depression and, consequently, more adequate access to treatment intervention, can be facilitated.

Unfortunately, the presence of depression is sometimes overlooked and therefore missed (particularly in males) sometimes with tragic consequences for the sufferer and for society."

Sarah Hodgkinson and Herschel Prins, University of Leicester
Probation Journal, June 2011, (58)2, p. 137-154

Nigel 

The Black Dog

Depression

"Pain of severe depression is quite unimaginable to those who have not suffered it, and it kills in many instances because it cannot be borne."

Darkness Visible, William Styron, 1991, Picador, London

"Normal Sadness is to depression what normal growth is to cancer."

Malignant Sadness – The Anatomy of Depression, Lewis Wolpert, 2001, Faber and Faber

"Depression is a word ... “That has slithered through the language like a slug, leaving little trace of its intrinsic malevolence and preventing by its very insipidity, a general awareness of the horrible intensity of the disease out of control.”"

Darkness Visible, William Styron, 1991, Picador, London

"I've been to hell, young man ... you've only read about it."

Marquis de Sade to Abbe de Coulmier, Quills

MBS?
MBS?

Nigel

So It Continues

During the middle of Summer, 2002, I was taking digital pictures, quite innocently, in a public place, but, even I have to admit, a part of it appeared to be far from 'innocent'; this led to 'arrest'.

Ultimately, I was far from innocent, when it came to the contents of one of my computer's hard drive.

During the past decade, I have devoted much of my time, to exploring the issues, related to my offence and further afield. I had considered (and have the facilities for) a full CMS website, but, for now, this medium will do nicely; transfer is always possible, later.

This blog is the retrospective and continuing story, of the consequences of The Eventful Day, what preceded it, imprisonment and the return to society.

MBS?

Enjoy the ride, where you can.

Nigel.