September 2023 Newsletter – Creativity

fundraising, and general management of not-for-profit organisations. My latest role has been General Manager at Look Good Feel Better, a cancer charity. I feel honoured to have been part of the Grow Mental Health board and, for a short time, as Chairperson.

Being part of Grow Mental Health has changed my life. I attend a group on Friday evenings online where I find safety, kindness, a sense of community, and genuine love. I have attended National Weekends and days away with Grow both of which have been the highlights of my year.

I look forward to getting to know you all in October at the National weekend and I hope as many people as possible will be able to come.

I would like to wish Michele the best for the future and thank her for all of her hard work in making this organisation what it is today. I'd like to thank you all for an already warm welcome and for everything you do to get us closer to bringing the Grow Mental Health vision to life.

Kind Regards,
Annabel

Creating art - whether painting, music, or writing - engages our imagination which taps into our unconsciousness, and some may say our collective unconsciousness. The mysteries of our human psyche and the patterns and laws of creation are tapped into and brought to light.

Our creation will reflect our inner world at that time. It will express our joys, fears, pain, despair, hope, and aspirations. The creation often, though half hidden, reveals a path or key to a new state of being that the artist may not have even been conscious of when they began the creation. It is a common experience for people to find a way forward in their lives inspired by the lyrics of music or the actions of a protagonist in a book or film.

The piece of art can go on revealing new meaning over time and reflection to the artist and to those appreciating the artwork. The process of creating can be cathartic for the artist. Deep emotions and psychic energies are expressed and released. The artwork can have the same cathartic effect on those appreciating the work. This release of emotion is healing. Who has not cried when listening to music or watching a moving film? Sadness, horror, humour, and compassion are among the many emotions that can be created and experienced.

The artist in the process of creating leaves this grey everyday world and enters into a hidden world of renewing energies and ethereal truths and brings these rejuvenating symbols back to our everyday life, revitalising and renewing our tired existence. Re-greening our wonder. Often when we read a favourite book it can re-enchant our view of life.

To the person experiencing and appreciating the art, the art becomes a mirror. There we see our flaws, our fears, our potential, our divinity. One of the most powerful healings is to realise, Ah Yes...This Is Me!

SELF DISCOVERY THROUGH CREATIVITY
Artist, Juliia Polschuk, translation by John Madden, Grow Area Coordinator in the Midlands Region

Juliia Polischuk arrived in Athlone not too long after the outbreak of war in Ukraine with her children, and since then has been actively involved in providing art interventions for others who have been displaced and doing her best to assist and improve those who are struggling and facing challenges of being far from home. For now, she is "home" with us in Ireland. Juliia is an active supporter and ally of Grow Mental Health.

Note from the artist:
Creativity is a great way of self-discovery, a better understanding of one's thoughts and feelings. For psychological health, creativity is seen as the creation of something new, the mastery of self-discovery, and the ability to rely on oneself through art and creativity. When we immerse ourselves in the process of creation, we forget about everything for a while and completely devote ourselves to work on a creative project. It helps us to focus on ourselves, our thoughts, and our feelings, which is a necessary condition for self-knowledge. For example, drawing can help you experience some form of inner peace, reduce stress levels, and improve your mood. Creativity can help a person discover and express his or her ideas and experiences, and increase self-knowledge and self-esteem. It can have a positive effect on well-being and help heal emotional wounds, achieve relaxation.

Another important aspect of the connection between creativity and self-discovery is experimentation and mastering of new skills. Each experiment helps us better understand what we like, what inspires us, and what brings us pleasure. It can be painting, writing, music, sculpture, knitting, embroidery, dance, creating collages, graphics or even cooking. Be open-minded. Don't be afraid to try new techniques or ideas. Any type of creative activity clears the mind of stress and everyday negativity.

Creativity is a unique path to self-discovery and revealing one's potential. By practicing creativity, we can better understand ourselves and develop our personality. Thanks to creativity, there is social interaction with other people. A new circle of communication appears. Communities are formed in which you can get support from other people. Creativity helps to develop intelligence in all directions.

In any case, creativity can become a source of pleasure, and provide a sense of self-realization and self-expression, which in turn can help strengthen the psychological state and improve the quality of life. It is important to simply give yourself permission to be creative and enjoy the process of creation.

Grow is a safe haven to talk about your well-being. There is a confidentiality clause – what is said in Grow stays in Grow! There is also the social aspect, going for lunch after the meeting, looking forward to a barbeque, and the National Weekend in October.

I have to say this, PJ is the most conscientious Organiser that Grow ever had. Grow’s meetings are never the same. Yes, there is structure, but every meeting is different. The Growers talk about their week and get advice from other Growers - a problem shared is a problem halved. I know I have often had the weight of the world on my shoulders but have left the meeting lighter and in greater spirits.

You alone can do it but you cannot do it alone.

You are given a step to work on from the 12 Steps of recovery and growth and also a piece for understanding. There is also the Wednesday What’sApp so we can stay connected with each other.

A friend is as far as the nearest phone.

You are given a task to do daily – mine is to take my two dogs down by the river. There are times when I don’t feel like going but I compel my muscles and limbs to act rightly in spite of my feelings.

What I would say to new people is to keep coming back. I have seen Growers being in the depths of depression and suffering from severe anxiety. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I have been there in the depths of depression. I came through it into the light and that is what Grow has done for me. I have seen people blossom in Grow - people who hadn’t any hope – are now helping others on to recovery and growth.

You can do it but you cannot do it alone.

We have lived experience and we help each other.

There is also an opportunity to do other things in the Grow building – meditation, creative writing, etc., etc.…

All I can say is thank God, Fr. Con Keogh had the foresight to set up Grow.

As I initially said, we all do it. Most, if not all of us. If taking a flight tomorrow you will for at least one split second worry, what if the plane crashes? These thoughts for most are fleeting but for others they are a common, everyday sensation. It keeps us up at night as we worry about everything that could go wrong tomorrow. This lends itself to heightened anxieties and paranoia, and we know only too well where that can lead if we let it take over.

We often tend to be uber-creative with these ideas. It’s like the brain wants to torture us with manufactured outcomes at times but worse again, it might even prevent us from reaching out for help because we are also fearful of being judged. Take for example a recent conversation had with a friend. Let’s call him Michael. Michael was in what he called, “a rut”, but a rut that he couldn’t shake. It was one that lasted longer than others, so much so that I had to seek him out as opposed to seeing him out and about. During our chat, he espoused a few red flags that implied depression might be overtaking him. He was aware of it yet was worried about help-seeking. I asked why, and his response was – "I don’t want to tell the boss at work in case he gives me special treatment and time off". I quickly retorted, “Why, that actually sounds like the exact correct thing to do”. His response – “The boss is sound and he knows the craic with mental health stuff but if he gives me the time off, everybody else will be asking questions and I don’t want them knowing my business. I love working there but the last thing I want is to feel awkward or to be talked about. I’d sooner leave the job than be given that kind of attention. And if I do that, I’ll have no job and that’d ruin life for myself and my family”. Now, bear in mind that he only opened up a little about his depression challenges but in his own overly-creative mind, he’s potentially out of work and on the road to ruin. That, to me, is catastrophizing - the worst-case scenario - and while having that way of thinking can be crippling, it also stops us from reaching out for help at times.

Reminder: none of us have a working crystal ball, otherwise there’d be far more Lotto winners every week. How can we reduce the tendency to catastrophise?

1. Maintain your relationships, connection is key.
2. Find a community – it can be spiritual, hobby-based, civic, or, simply, like-minded people. They can keep you grounded.
3. Do your best to stay physically healthy – nutrition, sleep, exercise, and plenty of water!
4. Mindfulness can help – stay present, rather than concerning yourself with things that are out of your control.
5. Find positive outlets. Don’t rely on drugs and alcohol, they only serve to make matters worse in the long term.
6. Set goals – having direction and targets (easy-to-reach ones) can help.
7. Focus on others. Helping others can be a great way to get away from your thoughts, and helping others is rewarding.
8. Learn to spot it – if you catch yourself going down rabbit holes, identify it and remind yourself that “feelings are not facts”.
9. Remember, there is a very limited list of things that you have control over. Focus on those, rather than things far beyond your control.
10. Learn from experience – When has this happened before? How did I overcome it?

And remember, it is a very human trait to worry and we all do it but we should always ask – am I creating a fantasy or a reality?

Participating organisations included Accessible Counselling Tullamore (who organised the launch), the National Office of Suicide Prevention, An Garda Siochana, local politicians, and Grow Mental Health - represented by the local area coordinator for Offaly and Laois, Michelle McCormick.

Every September is Green Ribbon Month. The Green Ribbon symbolises openness to have conversations about mental health. Wear your ribbon to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

What you can Do to Start the conversation:
Start the conversation about mental health with a friend, family member, or work colleague.
Small things make a difference.
Ask someone how they are doing or go for a coffee.
Talk, but listen too.
Simply being there means a lot.
Don’t just talk about mental health. Chat about everyday things.
Educate yourself:
Visit www.seechange.ie  to find out more about how we can all combat stigma.

Shop fronts in Tullamore support the initiative by “going green”. The initiative is nationwide, with individuals all over Ireland requesting their ribbons to help start the conversation. You too can request a ribbon by visiting the Tullamore Facebook page and direct messaging them to help start the conversation and #endstigma.

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