The compelling new book on childhood trauma from the States

Childhood trauma kills 1,401 Americans every day. That’s one death every 61 seconds — more than tobacco, more than car accidents, more than diabetes. It’s the number one cause of addiction, suicide and incarceration. And until now, no one connected the dots. Michael Menard did. In his new book, Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma Is […]
ACCESSIBLE STYLE

BY Erica Crompton Whether it’s a button-free T-shirt or a velcro fastening shoe, dressing with a disability often needs a little thought. Laces are too fiddly for a single hand, buttons are too. So, I recently handed over my Amazon account to Paul, my wheelchair-wonder boi, and he was impressed with the inexpensive clothes on […]
Welcome to spring 2024 Hopezine!

For my 15th editor’s letter, I thought I’d check-in with readers to remind us why we began this hopeful journey. Launched in November 2018 at an NHS suicide prevention conference at the Bet365 stadium, Hopezine aims to share stories from people who have survived adversity in all its forms to offer hope for all people. […]
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 […]
Cash-flow philosophy from a former monk

For the winter issue of Hopezine, Erica asks STEVIE SHAW, a former monk, what his money tips are. In his philosophical article here, he reveals all… “MONEY DOESN’T GROW ON TREES!” By Stevie Shaw “You need to buck your ideas up sonny Jim,” shouted Father. “Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know!” My father always […]
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 […]
Summer Hopezine 2023 made with love with Unlock

With over 12 million people in the UK holding a criminal record, it’s time Hopezine handed over it’s pages to law-abiding citizens who have criminal records. This summer is the specialedition made with members of the charity, Unlock, for people with criminal records. Think it doesn’t apply to you? Tried cannabis in your teens or […]
Abandon hope all ye who enter here, philosophical words by Con Cord

Were those words actually attached to the police station, the courtbuilding, the prisons or probation offices I visited during the course of my criminal journey?No, they weren’t.They actually refer to Dante’s Inferno and an inscription above the gates of Hell.Did I abandon all hope as I frequented those establishments?With hindsight……Not quite, but very nearly.It is […]