Recovery from Schizophrenia: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
By Alan Hartley In the quiet corridors of the mind, where shadows dance and whispers linger, there exists a path—a winding, treacherous path toward recovery. Schizophrenia, that enigmatic specter, casts its veil upon the soul, distorting reality, fracturing identity. Yet, dear reader, let us not dwell solely on the abyss; for within the labyrinth of […]
A colourful bargain by Erica Crompton
For me saving money is an act of hope, and so is wearing colour! So seeing this £200 dress from Harvey Nichols is just £15.18 on Amazon is hopeful news for cash-savvy fashionistas! The ‘It dress’ of the spring by Greek-smock dress designers Devotion Twins is now available in a selection of colours and styles […]
Leeds Perinatal Mental Health Team wins Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Art Competition
A mosaic that was produced by patients and staff at Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Trust’s (LYPFT) Perinatal Mental Health Service, (PMHS) based at The Mount Hospital, Leeds has won the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) 2023 Art Competition. The Mount Hospital works with women who are either pregnant or have an infant […]
Welcome to winter 2023 Hopezine!
Debt and money troubles can have a huge impact on mental health. And it’s a growing problem. In the UK, people owed a whooping £1,843.8 billion at the end of this summer. This is up by £37.3 billion last year, according to The Money Charity. I hope to address this in this cash-flow special edition […]
How to claim PIP (Personal Independent Payments)
By Erica Crompton If you live with a psychical or mental illness you maybe eligible to claim PIP (also known as Personal Independence Payments) to help with your illness or disability. Even if you work, it’s still a benefit you can claim. There are 3 stages to claiming PIP: It can take up to 6 […]
Welcome to autumn 2023 Hopezine!
Editor’s letter Welcome to autumn’s Hopezine, an ode tothe animals we take care of.In this special issue, award-winning authorsfrom my publishers Victorina Press, pentheir own vignettes about the pets theylove. I’ve taken to bird twitching. And aProfessor of Psychology tells us all aboutthe benefits of taking care of a pet, forbetter mental health.The cover art […]
Bird twitching is good for your mental health
By Erica Crompton Since recently moving into an accessible bungalow that backs on towoodlands, I’ve discovered the joys of bird watching. Take a look atmy view from the French windows! All green and woodland.By far the best investment has been a metal bird-feeder to hang ona branch outside. It does need to be metal to […]
An Education, written by Jen McPherson
University was my entire world. I thrived there both on and off my course. I edited the studentnewspaper, had a show on the student radio station and organised an international development summit. I loved my course – politics with international relations – and made friends from around the world. Then disaster struck. It started with […]
Spring 2023 Hopezine lands soon, see it here online first
Editor’s letter Spring is upon us and as the daffodills start to bloom, we at Hopezine are taking a moment to ponder what makes us happy. In mental health care, focussing on things that bring us happiness is known as positive psychology or compassion focussed therapy, which I’ve taken part in and that has brought […]
How fashion helps with my mental illness
Photo by Johnny Holden Living with a mental illness for two decades has not dampened ERICA CROMPTON’S desire to dress well. Here she explains how fashion helps her with managing her psychotic illness and staying comfy… Fashion boosts my self-esteem, helps me create an identity outside my diagnosis and I take great solace in my […]