We were recently approached with a wonderful mental health project by a lady called Barbara. What follows is her project to raise awareness and encourage us to think more about our feelings and emotions. It is titled ‘Brooch The Subject’.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
“Let’s Brooch the Subject.”
The photograph enclosed shows a collection of brooches. Each individual brooch is labelled to represent a thought, a worry or a feeling and each has a green ribbon attached to represent Mental Health Awareness.
Please support Mental Health Awareness by wearing your own brooch together with a green ribbon.
By doing this it is hoped that attention will be drawn and an opportunity may be provided for discussing the issue of mental health openly.
The poem “Brooch the Subject,” was inspired by this collection of brooches.
BROOCH THE SUBJECT
Today I looked into my drawer
Not quite sure what I was looking for
I spied upon something old, something new,
Then another one, another two.
I clasped the old one in my hand
An ancient brooch yet very grand
I wondered why I was drawn to it
“Brooch the subject” seemed to fit.
This one had been around, like mental health for many years
The new one less so yet held back many tears
Another was to draw the eye,
A fourth, it seemed to make me cry.
Numerous others in drawers hidden away
And yet more still, if worn what would people say?
If exposed, attention to be drawn
So many, which one, how and when, thoughts torn?
Lots have them, different colours, shapes and styles
Worries held together, pinned on smiles
Should I wear this one, would it go?
Impossible thoughts, “they told me so”.
So get them out, don’t hide them away
Let them be admired, talked about
But most importantly,
Let us “brooch” the subject, today.
B J R September 2018.
My interpretation of thoughts, worries and feelings represented by this collection of brooches are as follows:
Unusual, hidden away, hard to miss, escape, blue, alone, attention needed, guilt, black days, unsettled, damaged, scared, far away, black days, frightened, all that glitters, different, singled out, take flight, jumpy, PTS, some things missing, confused and bow out.
There is also a second poem which was written by a granddaughter about her Grandmother who had Alzheimer’s. Writing this helped the family to cope with the reality of this disease. You can click here to view this poem.
