Jack

Jack

Just a short piece this time fellow readers and strangely no angry stuff for a change …

I’ve been very busy the past week building an up market bird table with all the trimmings (since building it I’ve acquired another one as a gift along with an ornamental bird bath) I was dismayed when no birds came after regularly turning up and feeding from the ground before I had the tables. Several days passed then they came in higher numbers than ever! I can only assume they were checking it out before deciding it was safe to come back. It’s truly lovely to see them. They’re even becoming braver by watching me from a short distance as I put out bread, suet balls, wild bird seed and nuts. It’s true what they say on the telly (for a change) “If you build it, they will come” It worked for me and they’re very good company of sorts.

On a sad note. I had to say goodbye to my Parsons Jack Russell dog 3 weeks ago. Very, very sad time for me. His name was Jack and he’d been with me since he was 8 weeks old. He was near to 15 when he became ill and I decided to let him go before he became too bad. I was told it was a matter of a couple of months at the most anyway and a wouldn’t let him suffer. I suppose it was due to my always being unable to have children that I put so much love into the animals I’ve been fortunate enough to have in my life in the past. I don’t think I’ll have any more animals, it’s far to painful a process to go through when they leave.

Sorry, folks but I just couldn’t let this piece go without having just one, tiny little moan. Hope you don’t mind …

I was in a city out of Bath the other day and was looking job adverts in an agency shop. All the jobs were advertised in a foreign language, every one! I couldn’t understand a word of it. I didn’t think that was allowed but there it was, right in front of my eyes!

Right, I’m off now people. I’ve enclosed a photo of Jack. I haven’t shared it until now.

R.I.P. Jack, old friend…

Bye for now, everyone.

by Alan Cupit (aka Mr Angry)

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A Message from The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath – Honorary Patron of Bath Mind

New Mayor of Bath Pictures Sam Farr For The Charter Trustees of the City of Bath 02/06/2015

New Mayor of Bath Pictures Sam Farr For The Charter Trustees of the City of Bath 02/06/2015

It gives me great pleasure to ‘open’ Bath Mind’s ‘Your Voice’ by writing the first blog post.

Having suffered from the mental illness depression myself, I have chosen ‘Mental Wellbeing’ as the theme for my year as the 778th Mayor of the City of Bath. I’m hoping that during the year I can help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

My theory is that if the Mayor of Bath is prepared to say that he has suffered from the mental illnesses of anxiety and depression, no other citizens in the city should be too embarrassed, worried or shamed to do the same.

If I think back 30 years, I can remember when people talking about cancer would refer to it as ‘the C word’ because they were too embarrassed, worried or shamed to use the word ‘cancer’. Back in June I started the Race for Life in Royal Victoria Park and saw 5,000 women actively talking about cancer and running to raise funds for cancer research. This is great, but we have a long way to go before mental health care and research gets anywhere near the same levels of support.

Let me tell you a few more things that might help confront stigma. Deep in the depths of depression I suffered from suicidal thoughts – I know how frightening and worrying these thoughts are. I did not really want to take my own life and am very glad I didn’t, but at that time I was just very ill. It seemed a valid option to escape the thoughts and feelings that were causing me excruciating pain.

On one occasion, brought on by anxiety and depression I suffered from psychosis and I was consequently sufficiently unwell to need to be ‘the S word’.

The ‘S word’ is of course ‘sectioned’. People really don’t like using this word. Be it section two, three of four of the Mental Health Act all it really means is that someone is sufficiently unwell to require an emergency hospital admission. Much like might be needed if you had a heart attack or stroke.

These are matters of fact, so I present them in a matter of fact way. No shame, no stigma. They happen.

I’m so very pleased and proud of what Bath Mind do to support people affected by mental illness in the City and surrounding area. I wish this new blog every success in promoting mental wellbeing.

by Councillor William Sandry, Mayor of Bath

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Welcome to the Your Voice blog!

Hi, this is Bath Mind’s blog, Your Voice. Bath Mind feels passionately about giving the community of Bath and North East Somerset a voice, a place to share your views, thoughts and ideas on subjects you feel strongly about and to discuss issues which are of interest you.

Over the coming weeks/months we hope to hear from you; we hope you enjoy reading the blogs and maybe even contributing your own thoughts!

By Kate Morton, CEO Bath Mind

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