In 1888, John William Waterhouse created a painting inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem The Lady of Shalott. The art piece captures a moment of longing tragedy, depicting a woman who has spent much of her life under a curse, confined to a tower where she can only observe the world through a mirror. She […]
Famous concept album, The Black Parade by American alternative rock band, My Chemical Romance depicts themes of loss, depression, and suicidality through the lens of a young cancer patient. Released in 2006, it delves into the multitude of emotional experiences on such a difficult personal journey, often empathizing with and even inspiring the listener. The […]
“When my husband died, I was overwhelmed with emotion. There was this intense amount of fear that death would strike again—that something might happen to me or my children. I began to worry about everything, including the meaning of life.” A young widow and mother of five, Mary (name changed for anonymity), reflects on her […]
The debut book “Depression & Other Magic Tricks” by Canadian slam poet, writer, and performance artist, Sabrina Benaim, explores themes of one's mental health amid love and family. Her book fosters a sense of friendship among her readers, allowing those who deal with similar struggles to feel understood, and how to find themselves again. Sabrina’s […]
During the time when research and initial discourse on trauma was gaining traction within psychology, professionals in the field held that trauma was uncommon and seen only in extreme cases like war veterans. Renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Bessel van der Kolk, MD, gives a sit-down talk on his experiences with redefining and understanding trauma since […]
Icon for Hire’s track “Under the Knife” (2016) dives deep into the painful reality of struggling with self-harm and emotional distress, presenting a raw and honest portrayal of mental health issues. The song's moving lyrics may resonate with listeners with trauma or mental health struggles as they echo some of the primary themes of navigating […]
The song “Hurt” was originally written and released by Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails in 1994. However, the depth of its meaning and popularity was later emphasized in a rendition by Johnny Cash. Recorded near the end of his life Cash’s gentle and melancholic interpretation of the rock song was released in 2002. Upon […]
Having lost a friend to suicide, British singer and songwriter Tom Walker experienced the feelings of guilt, depression, and self-doubt that so many relatives of suicide victims feel. In the aftermath, he mentions wishing he was a better friend and reflects on what he could have done differently to prevent losing a loved one. Inspired […]
It's widely acknowledged that childhood traumas can profoundly influence various aspects of our adult lives. While we commonly recognize the most overt forms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical or sexual abuse, other forms of trauma, like emotional neglect, often receive less attention. Although these subtler ACEs may not be as immediately apparent, […]
“What if I told you that you could overcome anything—that there isn’t a circumstance or situation known to man that you cannot overcome? That you are indeed unbreakable—would you believe me? And more importantly than me telling you, if you told yourself those things, would you believe you?” — Charles Hunt Throughout life, many people […]