Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Destigmatizing Mental Illnesses, Trauma, and Addiction
Suicide is never an easy thing to cope with or talk about. This year seems to have become the year that quite a few high-profile celebrities have elected to take the "easy" way out of their problems. The problem with regarding suicide that way, however, is that it's rarely an easy choice for the person who feels like life just isn't worth living anymore.
By Raven Aurora8 years ago in Psyche
My Experience of Parenting with Mental Illness
Being a parent is a huge responsibility, but for someone with mental illness, it can be very difficult. I became a parent at just eighteen years old, it wasn't planned and I had no idea I was pregnant. I had never been taught about pregnancy, contraception or child birth, so as you can imagine, I was in shock.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Psyche
Depression
It's not cowardly. It doesn't make you a horrible person for experiencing it. It does not make you weak. In fact, having depression and battling it as strong as you are makes you a fighter. A warrior. A magician. Cause to play with the alchemy of management to the disarray that exists in your mind is some real magic. Just making it out of bed some days when it feels like your whole world is caving in, and you can't stop the tears from coming, and you're sure this is the spell that's going to take you is fucking magic.
By Miss Riddle8 years ago in Psyche
The Effects of Hiking on Mental Health
As a recent college graduate, I am no stranger to hardship, stress, and learning as you go. In college, I worked hard to earn excellent grades with the intention that hard work pays off in the long run. But, after graduation I found myself lost. I was stuck in a retail job where I was absolutely miserable. I could not find another job even remotely close to my degree, which is in Psychology. In other words, like many young adults, life knocked me to the ground and I was not sure how to get back up. Anxiety and depression hit like the weight of the world, pushing and pulling me in directions I did not want to go. I only yearned to be successful, make a living, and have the ones around me be proud.
By Shannon Moriarity8 years ago in Psyche
My Black Dog
Are you here yet? It’s the house just three down from the carpark. The one with the brown door. Come straight in. It’s open. Don’t hover by the door – come on through. Do you like the lounge? It’s been decorated recently. A lovely colour isn’t it! Yes, we do have a movie subscription. I’ll let you have a watch later if you want. I can see you looking towards the games console too. Whatever you want to do is fine – my home is your home.
By Lily Bloss8 years ago in Psyche
Dear Africans, Mental Health is a Thing
Dear Africans, I write this with a heavy heart and as much as I know that mental health is a global issue, I write specifically to Africans because I am one and because I am familiar with the root cause of our issues considering the fact that most African nations tend to go through the same issues. Rwanda being my mother and father's home land, a country that has genocide tied to its history it is inevitable that there are numerous people living with wounds, nightmares, and places in their minds and hearts that have never been fully visited because of the sharp pain that resides there. However, it does not even need to take something as tragic as a genocide for one to be emotionally and mentally misplaced, it can be anything and it can happen to anyone.
By Winnie Rugamba8 years ago in Psyche
"No, I Want the 'Cool' Kind of Crazy!"
Let's go window shopping for a little while, readers. So, we're walking around your favorite mall. Not the one that only has a few pizza places here and there, and a SHIT ton of places that sell fake gold jewelry. No, we're talking about the mall that has enough variety to make your head spin and wonder what you were looking for in the first place.
By Moods Reflective8 years ago in Psyche
Getting Better: The Realities
For me, writing has always been a coping mechanism; to see your thoughts materialised is something of a relief. I've never been one to bottle things up - in my personal experience, the weight of withheld worries often becomes overbearing and in turn leads to the likes of emotional breakdowns. That's why I have decided to document my journey with my mental health; recently, I've been struggling more than usual, despite the fact that I am arguably "better" than I was this time a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, fluctuation is one of the realities of mental illness; the path to wellness never runs smooth. There will always be bumps in the road and times of despair during which you worry that "better" is a mythical idea that will never be truly realised. However, better does not equate to perfection, and nothing in this existence is permanent, most certainly not despair. For every down there is an up, no matter how distant that up may seem, and congratulating yourself on even the smallest of ups is so incredibly important.
By Tabitha Green8 years ago in Psyche
When is it Time to Say Enough is Enough?
For the past week, I have felt like the lowest of the low; stressed out, depressed and anxious. By the end of the week I ended up feeling ill physically as well, getting headaches and other ailments that had started to kick in to the point that I wasn't able to cope with it. The initial fear began with people coming too close to my liking in my bubble; when I’m in that state of mind and I'm struggling to cope with it, more symptoms kick in.
By Lizzy Arrow8 years ago in Psyche
From Suicidal Thoughts to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue . Top Story - August 2017.
For the first time in the history of the iconic magazine, Sports Illustrated recently hosted an open casting call for their next big swimsuit model. Women submitted videos on Instagram to enter, and 35 lucky finalists were selected to travel to New York for a photo shoot and interview.
By Aimee Dillard8 years ago in Psyche
