Writing helps patients “create something positive from something negative”

Friday saw the official launch of a new book called ‘Words for Wellbeing’, published by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. ‘Words for Wellbeing’ is an edited collection of prose and poems from patients, health care staff, carers and the general public. The authors included in the book all have their own story to tell about how writing has helped improve their health and wellbeing.

The contributors include people from across Cumbria and from ages 7 to 94 years old, and include emotional pieces about a variety of subjects, and includes a foreword is written by award-winning writer Jim Eldridge. There are 14 chapters, including one written by leading author Dr Gillian Bolton.

Editor of the book Carol Ross said: “I believe passionately in the therapeutic benefits of writing and I have been leading therapeutic writing groups for inpatients since 2010. My aim for this book is to provide inspiration and ideas to encourage readers to try creative or expressive writing to help their health and wellbeing. The feedback I have had from people who have contributed to this book has been wonderful – they have found that writing has really changed their lives for the better.”
Dave Miller (pictured) lives with his wife in Carlisle. He has COPD and has experienced bouts of depression due to his medication, and is a carer for his wife who suffers from agoraphobia. He has two poems, ‘Our Life Together’ and ‘Pen to Paper’, published in the new ‘Words for Wellbeing’ book.

Dave explains: “With these published poems I feel as though I have created something positive from something negative. I enjoy writing them, and people seem to enjoy reading them.

Writing poetry is a useful way to get people to understand how I feel. Because I am 6ft 7 and an ex-policeman/soldier people assume I don’t get upset. That’s just not true and there is nothing wrong with showing emotions.”

Leona Byers is 16 years old and lives in Egremont. She has suffered from anorexia for the last couple of years.  She has a poem called Hope published in the new Words for Wellbeing book.

Leona explains: “I have been struggling with anorexia for the last two years, but I am now in a good place. I wanted to write this poem to encourage people who have anorexia not to give up.

The poem talks about how I was in a dark place and summarises the last two years of my life. It captures everything I have felt and how I now feel much happier and positive. I was going through a very stressful time when I began with anorexia and I felt uncomfortable in myself. Writing really helps me to vent my feelings. I find that a lot of things can be hard for people to understand unless you write about it.”

10 free copies of ‘Words for Wellbeing’ are up for grabs. For your chance to get a copy email communications.helpdesk@cumbria.nhs.uk or call 01228 603890 – first ten people to get in touch will win a free book! Please say where you saw this competition and your address.

Leona Byers is 16 years old and lives in Egremont. She has suffered from anorexia for the last couple of years.  She has a poem called Hope published in the new Words for Wellbeing book.

She wrote her poem Hope when she was just 15 years old about her experience of anorexia. The poem is an honest look at the devastating emotional impact anorexia can have, but ultimately how it can be fought and that there is hope for those currently suffering from the condition.

Extract:
Recovery is the progress I shall make –
From this darkened nightmare, we shall awake.
For every illness there is a cure,
We can all pull through this, of that I am sure.

Leona explains:

“I have been struggling with anorexia for the last two years, but I am now in a good place. I wanted to write this poem to encourage people who have anorexia not to give up.

The poem talks about how I was in a dark place and summarises the last two years of my life. It captures everything I have felt and how I now feel much happier and positive. I was going through a very stressful time when I began with anorexia and I felt uncomfortable in myself. Writing really helps me to vent my feelings. I find that a lot of things can be hard for people to understand unless you write about it.

I don’t tend to show people my poetry, but I felt this poem might help someone suffering from anorexia. I just want to tell people not to give up and that it does get better.

It feels great to have my poem published in Words for Wellbeing. I am only 16 and I am already a published author!”

Dave Miller lives with his wife in Carlisle. He has experienced bouts of depression and is a carer for his wife who suffers from agoraphobia. He has two poems, Our Life Together and Pen to Paper, published in the new Words for Wellbeing book.

The first poem Our Life Together is a satirical look at his daily routine with his wife. He highlights the problems and emotional distance he sometimes feels as a carer.

Extract:
Every day we sit and stare
Me over here
You over there.
You with your lies and stories you tell
On your couch not feeling well

The second poem Pen to Paper is about the therapeutic nature of writing, and how it has helped him overcome depression.

Extract:
Dark thoughts in a dark place
Wonder if it shows on my face […]
Writing them down helps the pain
Helps to lift darkness to smile again

Dave explains: “I suffer from COPD (a respiratory disease) and have experienced depression as a result of my medication. It can really bring me down and then I can’t be bothered with lots of things including my family.
My counsellor suggested a course on writing which was happening at Tullie House and I decided to give it a try and realised from day one that it was for me. Instead of just staring into space I thought about why I was doing that, which really helped. I enjoy writing poetry. I sometimes write poems in my sleep! I wake up and write it down – that’s how I wrote Our Life Together.

I come from a tight-knit family and so there is not a lot of time just for myself. At the writing group I now go to I get two hours to myself every week. It has really helped, not just the writing, but being with like-minded people with mental health issues.

With these published poems I feel as though I have created something positive from something negative. I enjoy writing them, and people seem to enjoy reading them.

Writing poetry is a useful way to get people to understand how I feel. Because I am 6ft 7 and an ex-policeman/soldier people assume I don’t get upset. That’s just not true and there is nothing wrong with showing emotions. I cry at Coronation Street!

Writing is a wonderful way to reach out to people. I posted a poem on Facebook for Depression Week and it had a massive response. Lots of people posted that they were there for me, and my sister said that I knew where she was if I needed anything. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.”

Debbie Mayes lives in Kendal, moving from London three years ago. She suffers from bipolar disorder and is a service user researcher at Lancaster University. She has two poems, Time and Daffodil Walk, published in the new Words for Wellbeing book. Both are poems about nature, a passion of Debbie’s.

Extract (from Time):
In the space of a day
my mood changes from sad
to happy. The morning brings
the joy of anticipation

Debbie explains: “I tend to write two types of poetry – the first about my bipolar, the second about nature. Both of the poems published in Words for Wellbeing are in the latter category. The reason for this is that the book is themed around wellbeing and writing about nature is an escape for me. It is a wonderful distraction.
It has been recognised that through history some bipolar people have been extremely creative. So it seems to me that being bipolar is a mixed blessing, the mood swings are very difficult to live with, but I wouldn’t want to lose my creative self.

I am part of a community group of nature poets and it is great to interact as a member of the community, rather than just in mental health focused groups (which I do also attend). It is important to have a balance.

As well as having bipolar disorder I also work with Lancaster University to research it. Sometimes it can become too all encompassing – nature poetry is my escape. It is very exciting to have my poems published – it is nice to know others will be reading my poems.”
Grace Deakin is 94 years old and lives in Kendal. She is unable to do needlework or draw now due to arthritis and poor eyesight, but is still able to write poetry. She has a poem called Wellbeing Hobbies published in Words for Wellbeing.

The poem explores the importance of having a hobby, and how it is key for your wellbeing. The poem argues that there is no excuse not to have a hobby as there is always something you can do – it just might take a bit more effort.

Extract:
The ups and downs, the problems
Are everyday part of life
We wouldn’t have the pleasures
Without a little strife.

Grace explains: “I always loved needlework and drawing but have been unable to do these hobbies for the last 10 years – since I moved to Cumbria. However, I can still write which is wonderful. I actually think in rhymes, and so does my daughter, which is very peculiar!

I enjoy writing. I have written two autobiographical illustrated books in verse. The first covers the first 80 years of my life, the second covers the rest (up until two years ago). My brain still works fast it is just my body which is unable to do some things.

I am thrilled to bits to have my poem published in Words for Wellbeing.”