On Monday 10th October, the event ‘A Discussion on Black Mental Health’ was held in the LUU as a part of Black History Month. The Gryphon speaks to Melissa Owusu, education officer at LUU and […]
"Counselling? Oh that’s not for me"
When I first got put on to Citalopram (an antidepressant) in summer 2014, I was advised to also seek counselling, but I never did. I feared admitting that I had a problem I needed to […]
Why weight gain needs more respect
Weight gain is still such a sensitive, vulnerable aspect of our lives. It’s seen as a negative thing, a promotion of obesity, a reflection of an unhealthy lifestyle, a symbol of greed… And the list […]
Mental Health Awareness Week 2016: Relationships and Mental Health
I was first diagnosed with depression at the age of nine, and the diagnoses of anxiety followed quickly after when I was 11. My early teenage years were difficult, to say the least. At the […]
Silencing the Truth: Why Natasha Devon was Right to Speak out Against the Government
At the beginning of this month, campaigner and entrepreneur Natasha Devon was dropped as the Conservative government’s ‘mental health champion’ in the Department of Education having only been appointed to the role in August of […]
A Russian roulette: Depression or Anxiety?
In challenging the stigma associated with mental illness, I’ve vowed to be as open and honest about my very real battle with it. I should not be ashamed, although it does make me want to […]
Fry’s Crusade for Free Speech Falls Flat Over Sexual Abuse Comments
Stephen Fry, sometimes referred to as one of the UK’s ‘national treasures’, has always been one for speaking his mind, even if this entails offending people. As a champion of free speech, it is at […]
The Depression Diaries: An apology to my body
Dear Body, I’m sorry that I still don’t love you. I’m sorry that sometimes I can’t bear to look at you. As summer approaches, and everyone shows more skin, it makes me wonder what everyone […]
Mental Health A-Z: T is for Top telly to watch when you’re depressed
As I’m curled up on the sofa in the clutches of depression once more, in the onesie that I haven’t got out of for three days (yes, onesies are back – spread the word (did […]
I Won’t Apologise for the Side Effects of my Mental Illness
My mental health was undoubtedly at its worst when I was about 15 or 16 years old. I’ve deleted virtually any evidence, and tried to repress the memories of my existence from around that time […]
The Depression Diaries: The secrets of self-harm
If I could go back a change one moment of my life, it would be the first time I self-harmed. If I knew at the time that this one small cut would be the start […]
The Sugar Tax: not the sweetest of ideas
With the Sugar Tax placed upon fizzy drinks, many members of the parliament, dentists and Jamie Oliver enthusiasts alike are all rejoicing. It has been politically decided that sugar must equal obesity, rotting teeth and […]