The release of a sex offender back into a community can be a deeply unnerving experience. Many of us are fearful for our comfort and…
Neil Hilborn struggled with OCD for years. Now, he has decided to speak out about the disorder through poetry. He performed during the Individual Finals…
This poem by Kelly Cherry was written about her father, who was a professional musician that succumbed to Alzheimer’s Disease. The poem guides the reader…
On August 19, 2014, a YouTube video of American journalist James Foley’s beheading was released by the terrorist organization ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and…
The song ‘Brain Damage’ was partially inspired by Pink Floyd band member, Syd Barrett, who endured a mental breakdown. The song speaks about losing one’s…
After the death of her father, Australia-based artist Margarita Georgiadis used painting as way to deal with sorrow and grief. She was able to use…
“I will take my life today around noon. It is time. Dementia is taking its toll and I have nearly lost myself.” Gillian Bennett chose the…
“Cabrini Bridge” by Sam Gordon uses beautiful imagery to showcase the power of mindfulness and relaxation. The author’s internal struggles are juxtaposed with the calmness…
13-year-old Jennette’s (name changed by UNICEF) grandmother died from Ebola. Shortly after attending the funeral, Jennette began to feel sick. When fever developed, she was…
“I Am” was written by John Clare in 1844 while he was at the Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. Clare suffered from numerous psychological conditions, which…
Low is a Minnesota indie-rock band composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. Their music often delves into darker themes of regret, guilt, and self-destruction,…
“We are seeing far too many young offenders entering the adult system who should be dealt with in the juvenile system,” says public defender, Gordon…
Like many, when faced with tribulations and life’s numerous problems, Patrick Roche resorts to a creative means of self-expression. He explores healing through a creative…
Vincent Van Gogh painted “Wheat Field with Crows” in Auvers-sur-Oise, on July 1890. It evokes a feeling of loneliness and tumultuous emotions, which is likely…
When Jennifer Sky launched her career at age fourteen, she imagined a glamorous lifestyle, fame, and designer clothes. Flash forward to seventeen: Her experiences turned…
Theodore Roethke was a celebrated poet who won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for his book The Waking. Roethke was a heavy drinker and experienced…
Frida Kahlo is a renowned Mexican painter, known especially for her striking self-portraits. Kahlo’s paintings defined conventions of beauty and style, making her a voice…
In 2012, the Canadian government introduced cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides health coverage for immigrants seeking refuge in Canada. Coverage…
Anne Sexton suffered from bipolar depression, and was treated using techniques that would, by today’s standards, be unsound. Her treatment ranged from the use of sodium…



