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From Survivor History Forum 29/05/2012

The Survivors History Group Manifestos (2005 and 2006) both speak of highlighting "the diversity and creativity of the service user/survivor contribution through personal accounts, writings, poetry, art, " [ETC]

I am, therefore, circulating this call from the cartoonist "Brick" and Theo Stickley. Brick says

"It´s no secret that Brick has had his problems with the insanity of the world, but his breakdowns were more like breakthroughs, lightbulb moments that revealed just how crazy it´s all become and how ill-equipped he was to cope. In his darkest days, certain things gave him hope (some of which are fictionalised in Depresso), not least the
stories of fellow sufferers who survived the nightmare of the psychiatric system in the UK.

To give something back, he is now co-editing a compilation book of graphic narratives designed to inspire. The invitation to contribute extends to anybody anywhere, regardless of artistic or literary credentials, so if you have an uplifting story to tell, hit El Bricko now. Deadline for expressions of interest is 31st July."

A pdf explaing this in words an pictures is attached, or you can visit Brick's website at http://www.brickbats.co.uk/index.php/callone/

My understanding from Theo and from Brick is that they are looking for graphic narratives that express the feelings and experience of the person who makes them. They have expressed this in their language ("from distress to recovery"), but it is your language they want to hear, so you do not have to be pro or anti the "recovery movement" or (I suppose) the "psychiatric system". They want to hear you tell it as it is and has been for you and how it might be if you follow your "light-bulb moments".

Best wishes,

Andrew

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