Madness is Misunderstood - A Fresh Outlook on Mental Health

It's no secret that people with a mental illness are consistently ostracized, misunderstood and labelled as society's lepers by everyone from the misinformed public, to the media and entertainment industry.

Personally, this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. It is an unfortunate side-effect of a society desperate to appear organised and well-informed that anything it doesn't properly understand is seen as threatening and socially unacceptable.

Need evidence? Here are a list of things that have been demonised, outcast, or made taboo at some point in history because the world hasn't understood them properly:

•Homosexuality
•Racial equality
•Gender equality
•Atheism
•Tattoos
•Countless Religeous Beliefs
•Disability
•Unemployment
•The Poor
•Homelessness
•Street Art
•Jazz

Mental Illness is just another of those things that is just too complex and controversial for the world to comprehend yet, although 20% of us will supposedly suffer from one during our lifetime. Whereas, after many thousands of years of intensive research, we can understand that bacteria, viruses and fungi are the verified cause of physical illness, mental illness is an almost entirely new concept that divides the science community not only on how it works and the causes behind its occurrence, but also on how it should be treated. Here are some of the ways that we have historically attempted to deal with the awkward and sensitive existence of mental health issues:





Panorama exposes the disgusting physical abuse of mentally and physically handicapped patients of UK "care home" Winterborne View

Mental health treatment today is a far cry from the dingy and dark corridors of  institutions like the Danvers State Mental Asylum (pictured above), which darkly thrived on electric shock therapy throughout the 1950s, but met it's ultimate demise in 1992 when the doors closed for the final time. However, changes in psychiatry saw the number of people given medication for a mental health issue increasing by five times in the same period. Is therapy and understanding for mental health issues really improving, or are pharmaceutical companies influencing diagnoses and taking money treating the issues of your everyday person with drugs no more effective than placebos in treating the 'chemical imbalance' in the brains of those facing mental challenges?

Altering the chemical balance of the brain, and with it the state of mind of the patient,  is rife throughout the USA, the UK, and, in particular, New Zealand, as a  method of helping mental health patients cope with their issues. Seretonin and Dopamine (happy chemicals) levels are changed in the hope that they permanently adjust. The problem for me is that this does not always happen, leaving ordinary people who may not have had a problem in the first place dependant on an expensive pill, often lovingly crammed with side effects, in order to get through the day.

Some food for thought: Perhaps the term 'mental illness' is inherantly flawed, leading the public towards a certain opinion on the people in society who have thought processes deviating from the norm. Tweets about "#mentalhealth"



Just as a footnote, I've started working with local mental health charity SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone) as a committee member creating materials for, organising and carrying out events promoting awareness for mental health issues, and how they are both common and manageable. Advice and support is also offered. Here's a poster I have made as part of the whole shenanigan; of course if anyone can actually make the event, feel free!

Racism: Astonishing Attack in Woolwich Sparks Discrimination Frenzy

Just a little background information; some that is sure to shock you if you haven't seen it already.

Today at 2:20pm.

The London borough of Woolwich is brought to its knees. Suddenly and without warning, the entity known as the British public is forced brutally to attention.

Two allegedly Islamic aggressors have carried out a horrific, machete-wielding execution of a man believed to be a soldier in Woolwich, London.

Although senior police and government forces remain tight-lipped on the finer details of this alarming event, it has become apparent that the attack was unprovoked, and that the extremists carrying it out made no immediate attempt to leave the scene of the crime. However, both were later shot and wounded by the Metropolitan police force.


Here is the shocking interview that accompanied the event. This is one of the attackers; fresh from committing the attack, still wielding his weapon of choice and sporting the blood of his victim.



"I apologise that women had to witness this today," he blurts.
 "But in our land, the women have to see the same."



"Remove your government, they don't care about you!" he continues. A chilling aggressive energy is evident in his voice.

Shocking stuff.

Almost as shocking were some of the comments that started to appear in my social media feeds.
                                                     

Just one of thousands of decidedly backwards comments posted on Twitter  in reaction to today's events

Events such as today's often push a web-empowered society to partake in an intense debate on the motives behind what has happened.  It is seen as customary, I would argue, to give an opinion or a take on what has happened. However, the blanket discrimination that has been jumped to so quickly by a fraction of the British public is astonishing. 

The London Riots highlighted how the public and their use of social media now play a vital role in determining
press coverage of the most pressing events and issues our world has to offer.

Even before confirmation that the attacks were the work of two Jihadists, astonishingly narrow minded, ignorant and perspectiveless comments were being made in every corner of the internet about the attacks being the work of Islam, and that all ethnic minorities should be "sent home".

"Bring back the death penalty" heralded another Twitter user.

Scenes from Kosovo in the 1990s - Where mindless discrimination can take a nation. Bear that in mind.

The English Defence League have begun to riot in Brighton, themselves covered by masks, yet in a vein of hypocrisy claiming that religious groups who have the custom of covering their faces should be ethnically cleansed and removed from Britain.

I think that this image sums up their warped and poorly reasoned viewpoints perfectly:

Today I learned a valuable lesson; shocking events can bring the worst out of people, as well as the best, as a landscape of consumers scrap to make a meaningful response to an astonishing event. I am reminded of the  negative response towards Islam, a fundamentally peaceful and loving set of religious beliefs horribly misunderstood by some, after the 9/11 attacks.

 I sincerely hope that the new generation can embrace the multi cultural nature of Britain, and not reject the diverse, decidedly modern society that it creates.

Woolwich Attacks Live Twitter Feed.

Staying Positive: Looking Ahead to a Stellar Summer After Exams!

It's that testing time of year again, in the most literal sense possible. Exam period.

Pressure's on as far I'm concerned. Usually, I am quite a confident chap when it comes to my education, yet as the need to ace my results and begin achieving my journalistic ambitions looms large, unease is mounting within me. Admittedly, it's tempting to just procrastinate and figure that everything will turn out dandy, but deep down I know that's hardly a winning attitude.  I'm certain I'm not the only one starting to lose a little sleep and quiver in my boots.

Sums up the exam feeling perfectly!

In between extensive, occasionally successful attempts at understanding everything I've been taught during this entire year, I have been attempting a little self motivation; things to revive the original, exciting and ultimately bearable brand of lifestyle I had been proudly sporting before teachers around the country started panicking about their competence and exam results.

Much like many teachers' desperate attempts to shove every student up a grade boundary and avoid an unceremonious axing, I ended up doing some pretty strange things to lift my confidence and mood. These include:

- Ordering a baseball jacket personalised with 'SK' on the front, among a startling variety of other unnecessary Amazon purchases

- Playing a role in several night time bonfires
- Starting an extensive collection of secondhand books
- Developing a man-crush on Paolo Nutini, and regularly turning to him for pathetic amounts of reassurance
- Burning exotic incense in every corner of my room, a sure sign of pining for a foreign atmosphere
- Drinking to exam completion before exams had even begun (not alone!)

Such a dream of an album; could get a man through the roughest of patches

Although these quirky little courses of action made a pleasant change from what I like to call 'textboox trauma' (where a person starts to become so accustomed to being alone with solely a textbook for company that they forget entirely how to interact with the people and world around them), I found that I had so much reward to look forward to in the future, I didn't need to focus so much on the struggle of the present, since it would all be worth it!

Things I have on the horizon that just make all the exam effort so much more worthwhile.

Cheeky excursion to Turkey!

It's crazy to think that in fifteen days and after four exams, I'm actually off on holiday! I've never visited the sunny shores of Turkey, and am thoroughly looking forward to seeing a brand new side to Asia. Unfortunately, a little Psychology revision on the beach will have to occur, but this is an art previously mastered in Thailand, and I couldn't ask for a better place to soak in twelve core studies alongside my fair share of sun rays and Turkish culture.

Lycian tombs - Emgrained in the Dalyan cliffside circa 400BC

Unable to resist a little research into this mysterious, Ancient region of Turkey, I have discovered that Dalyan is renowned for its picturesque beaches, mud baths, and curious sea turtle hospitals amongst the ancient ruins that provide an apparently astonishing reminder of the region's remarkably rich history.

I'll be sure to capture a couple of pictures of the beach sports and river tours apparently on offer, and won't be missing out on the Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs!

Interrailing Adventure

Anyone fortunate enough to know me in person or to have already checked out this nifty little blog of mine will be extremely well informed on just how much I am looking forward to scouring the European landscape alongside one of the most hilariously dopey and relaxed people to ever grace this earth, James Rothney https://www.facebook.com/james.rothney?fref=ts.

Tickets are booked to fly to Zagreb in Croatia, and fly back from Mykonos in Greece two and a half weeks later, with an Interrail train pass allowing us free train and ferry transport throughout Europe, affording us to visit an incredible variety of cultural hotspots, backpacker havens, party paradises, and just beautiful places in general in the short time we will be there.  A ridiculous amount of sun, sea, and adventure has been planned to occupy the time.

Images to illustrate the adventure that is planned to take place during our much anticipated eighteen day excursion:

Watersports on the beaches of Split, Croatia

Sampling the famously vibrant nightlife and cultural backbone than runs through the Serbian capital of Belgrade

Residents of the X Hostel in Bucharest, Romania, out and about in town! Staying in a sixteen man dormitary here costs just £4.44 a night, and apparently nice and clean too, although I won't get my hopes up!

Revellers at the Far Out Beach Club on the Greek Island of Ios. £13 a night will treat us to  this

 "Far Out Camping is definitely the most idyllic spot to enjoy your holiday in sunny Greece.
Wake up with in the morning with the peaceful Mylopotas Beach right in front of you and go for a swim, no need to sleep next to a noisy night club.
With pool competitions, table tennis, tennis, volley & basketball, 5x5 football, cinema and cybercafé there are plenty of things to do in the hours between beach and going out at night."

"The Far Out Beach Club is a party zone for backpackers "

Beautiful, expansive landscapes to treat the eyes to on day and night trains throughout Europe.

Reading Festival
Just to top it all off, I'm off to my first festival this summer! Some fantastic artists are hitting the stage this year, and I can't wait to share this experience with a large group of good mates. Here's the line up as of present!



In essence, such an incredible summer gameplan is making all of the hard work seem entirely worth it.  I'm starting to learn that you get out of life what you put in, and this kind of reward package is spurring me on to put a lot in, not only now but for the future as a whole.

Hope you've enjoyed reading. Be sure to keep updated!

Worldwide Wanderlust: How Global Exploration Became The Planet's Most Precious Pastime

Whilst taking full advantage of finally being able to book my interrail tickets, I began to ask myself a particularly deep and meaningful question.

It went something like this:

What drives people to travel?

It seems that the human race has developed an innate need to push our physical and, indeed, financial boundaries to the limit by exploring the huge variety in lifestyles out there. Perhaps this kind of terribly odd behaviour would have been reserved for solely the most determined of explorers in the past, but since the Twentieth Century, the game has changed. Ever expanding trade routes, affordable air travel, and eventually the dawn of content sharing Web 2.0 have allowed even curious, money-tight youngsters such as myself a viable opportunity to scour out the furthest corners of the world. Incredible, if you ask me.

Marshall McLuhan wrote "Understanding Media" in 1964, noting how new technologies were making content globally available within as little as a day. Also predicted a system like the internet thirty years in advance. Genius.

European route map of both EasyJet and Ryanair, showing that even travellers on the tightest of budgets have access to a ridiculous variety of destinations!

Conveniently enough, I believe that the motives for travelling can be placed into three simple yet deeply curious little categories. Here goes:

Escape
Unfortunately, a conventional Western life is not as boundless and freed by capitalism and democracy as we'd like to believe. We feel in touching distance with the perfect, equal and limitless life, yet are bound by societal expectations. Things like as getting married, settling down, having children, behaving in an acceptable fashion, abiding by set rules, passing exams, and obtaining the most prestigious or high paying job role.

The pace and pressure of everyday, conventional existence can leave us feeling in chains; like we are not reaching our full potential as people.

The thrill and limitless adventure of travelling the world seem almost destined to be the antidote to this problem. I rest assured as not the only person who feels an incredible sense of freedom and endless possibility when out in the world experiencing new places, people, food, culture, and, perhaps most importantly for us Brits, weather!
Such change in routine is always something welcome to the endless hardworking folk out there in the world in need of an escape.

If you're anything like me, the sensation of getting away from old routines and exploring the world will set you free as a person. Which is always a bonus.

Instinct

Affordable air travel and the unstoppable growth of tourism as an industry worldwide has seen the travel bug take hold of the world on a phenomenal scale, with more than 900 million international travel journeys being undertaken each year (Source: World Health Organisation)

Yet even in centuries gone by, where only the wealthiest of nobles could take sail and see the world, people were genuinely prepared put their lives on the line to see even the darkest corners of the world.

Robert Falcon Scott - The highly esteemed British explorer who died as part of a team attempting to be the first men to reach the South Pole. He scoured the untouched landscape of the Antarctic simply because he could, and gave his life in the process.

The inquisitive nature of the human race has meant that we fight to find somewhere tranquil, isolated, and untouched by other people and the Western influence that they bring, an influence which many of us are trying to escape. Finding such an 'untouched' place is an art, since the more people escape to somewhere, the more 'ruined' it can become. Take Bali for example:

Scenes at this once idyllic Indonesian paradise. Curiosity of Australian  holidaymakers  has transformed the area into a seedy tourist sprawl.
This picture accompanied the harrowing headline "3 Killed In Bali Nightclub Bombs"

Our natural desire to use our great ability and potential as human beings to see the world has its benefits and its drawbacks. I believe that any travellers should take great care to absorb the culture and traditions of anywhere they are visiting; take it in their stride, as per se. Either that, or face the unstoppable spread of a corporation and greed driven landscape worldwide, which, deep down, nobody wants.

Possibility

Let's face it, when booking a nice little excursion abroad, we all think of everything we could get up to whilst we are out there, be that swimming, relaxing, scuba diving, drinking, clubbing, building campfires, safaris, sightseeing, suntanning. Hard not to get excited about, isn't it?

Knowing that we will have so many varied, fun activities at our disposal to creates part of the incredible atmosphere of anticipation surrounding holidays. Travel companies take full advantage of this. Take Thompson, for example:

The dream-like, iconic 'endless swimming pool' effect pioneered by Thompson Holidays advertisements give us this sense of adventure and possibility that makes us itch to go travelling.

The idea that we can create our ideal routine through piecing together a travel plan gives us a powerful sense of control, something which many of us are guilty of enjoying a little too much. 

I hope you enjoyed the read. Any feedback would be much appreciated, thanks!

Sam Kersey, Student Culture Junkie

http://www.facebook.com/Skurzey
http://www.twitter.com/samkersee

The Return of the King: Coming Back Down to Planet Earth from Montpellier Bliss

I am sorry it's been so long since you've been treated to a post. I have been occupied with fulfilling travel duties to write about, and cramming in revision along the way. Nevertheless, I am back, and can assure you that it is with a venegence.

It's certified madness how you can come away from doing something you expected to be interesting at most, and have your outlook on life permanently tweaked, changed even.

Yet here I am, just 888 km away from the scene of the crime (yes, I actually checked the distance between Maidstone and Montpellier), and I feel not only like a better person, but also a more versatile adventurer.

The Surprising Snazz of Montpellier!

A cheeky snapshot of La Comédie I was rather chuffed with. I had one lined up worthy of entering the photograophic history books, but a sly lorry idled it's way into the scene, and ultimately spoiled the glory.

Perhaps if the endless winter that engulfed the United Kingdom had followed us out to Southern France, this place would be another Scarborough or Stevenage. But warmed generously by the much welcome glow of summery sunshine, the effortless charm of Montpellier grew on me almost instantly. Filled to the brim with fashion boutiques, crèpe stands, and stylish, modern bars to cater to the thriving, lively student population, this seemed just the kind of place that anyone would be lucky to live in. The entire place seemed devoid of any concrete; in it's place was a smart marble and limestone cosmopolitan sprawl.

Chowing down on some authentic Pho with the Nguyen family!

Above is a one take snapshot of the family I stayed with. It seems that I got some of the nicest and most interesting people on the rota, and I was even offered to come and stay with them with a friend in the summer when I'm Interrailing!
Left is Marc, a streetwise DJ who took me on a solid night out with his seemingly endless acquaintances. Right is Génevive, a fantastic cook, and Fréderic, a European marathon winner with an incredibly healthy lifestyle and a spiritualist attitude.

Pho is heaven. They literally cooked heaven.

View from my bedroom window on the last day, spent chilling out, reading The Beach, listening to the Arctic Monkeys and basking in the warm sunshine. Real soul food.

Here's a little run-through of the routine that was in place

•Wake up in a spotlessly clean and tidy room in a ridiculously comfortable bed to my alarm, feeling like I actually really wanted to get out of bed. This may be the first time in history that any seventeen year old male has felt this way on a regular basis when forcably arisen at 7:45.

•Have a lovely chat in French if anyone was up, and eat several bowls of cereal.

•Catch the Tram with Ellie, participate in illicit cigar purchasing (for a friend, not me) and entirely legal daily supermarket pottering.

•Recieve AS French guidance from a hilarious character named Floric who wore the same jumper every day, and seemed to have a deep emotional connection with this song.
 

•Sneak out at break and use our time to rush here

To merrily munch our way through these

An exemplary crèpe

With this glorious bunch in our own perfect spot

•Finish of our 'learning activities' (vaguely educational, surprisingly helpful) and grab lunch.

•Spend the afternoon doing a variety of things, including ice-skating, shopping, bowling, laser questing, hitting the beach (during which, of course, I found myself scouring through the hippie beach market to buy incense and postcards like a good little tourist) and catching the train down to explore Avignon.



All fairly harmless and nice. The evenings were, on occasion, a slightly different story.

A little over-enthusiastic with the shots. A previous excursion with Marc and his DJ elite had taken its toll!

All in all, my faith in European travel was strongly bolstered, and I had a great time out with some lovely people. French lessons no longer seem to drag on either, and actually seem much more engaging, so I must have learned something out there.

Bring on the next batch of travel! The travel bug seems to be growing on me more and more. Adventuring is my addiction, and I'm forever itching to get off my English schoolgoer backside and dose up!

PS: I may well start posting a quirky, fun take on world affairs on here. You could well be in for some exclusive world news, and a fresh take on things. That's if you're lucky.

I would say au revoir, but that's far too cliché and annoying.
Ciao!

Exchange Outcast - I'm hitting up Montpellier, and speaking only French!

Thierry Henry is a living god, and he came from France so it's not as shite as some people think!

Want to read this post in a funky new language for a real cultural kick? Check out the all-new 'Translate' button and prepare for either utter confusion, or perhaps even increased understanding if I really can't write!

And so my petulant little fable begins..

Come this time in two days, I will probably be eating a hopefully delicious meal with a French-Vietnamese family (at least supposedly, judging by the second name Nguyễn which over 40% of the Vietnamese population share) in Montpelier, speaking only French and trying to comprehend a notoriously fast-paced language, all whilst attempting to remain in confident and polite prose. I'm not ready.

Apparently, this is Montpellier. It looks pretty nice, in the way that Bristol would look awesome if you took a really knockout picture. Still, if the sun's shining and it's lovely and warm, I am more than pleased.

Apparently we're going skating, bowling, and shopping in Avignon in the pleasant climate of Southern France, and I would be getting really excited, if it wasn't for the sudden realization that my language skills are going to be the laughing stock of the region.

Currently, I am committing the cardinal sin of procrastination from revising my speaking skills and topics right before both the trip and my A-Level French speaking exam. Where I felt prepared and on top of my game after my GCSE equivalent, I feel as if I have been submitted by some kind of nasty AQA accident this time around. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll do fine and come out with a smile on my face, but the scale of what is to be achieved in the coming weeks is getting to me, as per usual.

Culinary heaven. Seriously, if they make Pho, I refuse to leave. Please, please be French Vietnamese.

Literally cannot wait to meet Marc, Claire, and co. I really did luck out getting the (hopefully) Vietnamese family, as we will have plenty to talk about on South East Asia, and Pho in particular. I'm hoping that this Marc fella is a real lad and will introduce me to his mates, and I really hope that Bennett aren't poxy and allow me time go out and hang out with them, maybe drink a couple of beers and have a great time. Guarenteed, I will be doing anything to not come across as the awkward exchange student who isn't really confident or willing enough to mix with anyone. That would suck; I have seen it happen too many times and don't want it to happen again.

I am the only guy going on this trip, which is both a ridiculous ratio, and a mixed blessing. Despite the barrage of females venturing outside of their homeland and, you know, without sounding too crude and nasty, 'feeling experimental', I will also be without fellow men to form a wolfpack, and will be relying on French guys to provide the banter.

They had better be real geezers; not introverted little scamps who write blogs about their feelings!
(Please note that the above sentence may contain a light dusting of sarcasm)

Bring on Montpellier! I'll take some cheeky snaps, bring the banter throughout, and show you guys soon. Perhaps even when I'm there! Peace out.


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Beginnings of a Backpacker

I have managed to uncover some great pictures of some of my first ventures outside of Europe. Hopefully this should give you a little insight into my original inspiration for wanting to work and travel worldwide, and my drive to make this a reality!

Vietnam - age 11
 Outline:
First trip outside of Europe, exploring Mui Ne and the legendary city of Saigon.

Atmosphere:
Mui Ne was an incredibly relaxed and idyllic coastal area full of vast and beautiful sand dunes, whereas Saigon was a bustling, humid Asian city with an incredible sense of vibrancy and purpose, as well as  richness in culture. The people never pronounced the ends of English words, with hilarious results (although massive respect goes to the majority of Vietnamese people for taking a wise variety of languages into their daily stride!)

Highlights:
Eating Pho at a roadside bar in Saigon watching the thousands of motorbikes go by.
Crocodile Fishing.
Shooting an AK47 as part of a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels
Sand boarding down the Mui Ne dunes into a river.
Bizarre introduction to the Victor Hugo worshipping, beautifully costumed Cao Daism
Witnessing first hand the devastating effects of Napalm through the eyes of the Vietnamese War Museum

Photos:

Shown around Mui Ne sand dunes by local kids after the white kid's dollar!

Fresh cut with the local barber!

Chugging it down at the pool bar!

Sand boarding  is a fond memory of an incredible trip that left a mark on me for sure.

India - age 13
 Outline:
Spending a week at a Corbett Tiger Reserve in Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh, then going on to hit the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Atmosphere:
Corbett was a quiet, cultural venture in incredible heat with absolutely beautiful scenery and surroundings. Delhi was busy to a suffocating extent, with lively markets left right and centre, and many tour guides spotting our ethnicity and battling to 'show us around'. Agra was a place of incredibly interesting temples and religion, the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, and a cushy five star hotel. I remember Jaipur as a kind of lovely, flowery haven, but I probably know nothing about the place seeing as all I can remember is swimming and having a  much-needed stellar cheese toastie!

Highlights:
Authentic Indian food was incredible, notably lashings Chapatti and aniseed candies. However, curry every day for breakfast lunch and dinner can wear thin, believe it or not, and I think at one point we went out to grab a cheeky Chinese! Typical tourists.
Piling into Jeeps for bumpy rides through all of the rich and poor districts of Uttar Pradesh. The financial diversity in India was astonishing.
Lemon tea and desperate, unsuccessful attempts by Indian salesman to ship us a brand new Kashmir carpet home!
Scouring through the markets, and finding some really interesting psychology books among the mix.
Hilarious venture into a "Westernised" bar.

Photos:

On the left, the hottest day I have ever been through (44°C) , so much so that our temple tour was cancelled midway through!

With my brother again, this time discovering the Taj Mahal! An incredible destination.

Nanithal, a vibrant Indian market town.

More pictures and experiences to be shared soon!

You have been reading up on the beginnings of a student culture junkie. If you want to check up on how I'm doing today, just take a look at my
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Skurzey
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Thanks for reading!