Pete Sciarrino’s poem Restless Nights is an honest reflection of his internal struggles with depression and anxiety. Though most of the poem is relatable to…
The third stanza of Mary Oliver’s poem Rain, outlines the moment the author’s family discovers her uncle’s suicide one rainy day. The verse is all…
Edgar Allen Poe’s “Annabel Lee” was his last poem before his death. Having lost many important women in his life, he frequently wrote about the…
Hosted by SoulFeed Podcast, Elena Brower shares a powerful spoken word poem, “Ritual of Recovery”, about overcoming addiction. Brower is not alone as reportedly 29…
Brittin Oakman’s poem “” expresses the struggle for calm that is experienced by individuals living with anxiety disorders. Oakman’s poem also reminds those suffering from…
One of the first nationally known African American poets Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote the inspirational piece “After While”. Speaking about anxiety, the verse was written…
A.S. Minor is a Spoken word poet, TedX speaker, United States Army veteran and a mental health advocate. His piece “It’s Not That Simple” attempts…
A myth in popular culture: Mental illness leads to creativity. The idea is bolstered by successful movies like Total Recall, Minority Report, and Blade Runner,…
Filmmaker Ora DeKornfeld beautifully captures the healing power of poetry by showcasing a young girl named Tyesha, who uses spoken word as a vessel to…
Akeemjamal Rollins is a spoken word poet on the YouTube channel Button Poetry. His spoken word poem “Suicide Note” showcases his feelings of loneliness and…
“Untitled” by artist Oscar Bernard are lyrics from a song written about his confusion around his asexual orientation. Through poetry, Bernard reveals the perplexity and…
Rachel Blake’s poem is a stance against the stigma, discrimination, and fear that surrounds mental illness. Rachel herself has had a mental condition for as…
Part of the human experience involves pondering questions about one’s life and purpose. For some, living small and hiding from the world can be a…
The song “Otherside” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, chronicles Anthony Kiedis’ experiences with drug addiction and the “slide” from recovery back into addiction. In…
Taking a moment to reflect on our lives can sometimes be a source of anxiety, especially when considering our existence in finite terms. The famous…
Julie Everson uses writing to help manage her struggles with borderline personality disorder. Creating poetry is important to her personal healing—allowing her to share her…
“Killed by the Dark” is a poem by Ricky Silva, an inmate in solitary confinement at Florida State Prison serving a life sentence. Silva has…
Struggling with severe mental-health issues for years, Eleanor kept her problems secret for fear of people’s reactions. In her spoken word poem, “Broken Isn’t Beautiful,”…
Rupi Kaur, a celebrated photographer, illustrator, author, and spoken word artist, uses a mix of poetry and narrative to explore themes of loss, trauma, and…
Renowned British poet Lemn Sissay suffered terrible abuse in foster care. He was subjected to violence, emotional cruelty, racism, and severe maltreatment in a system…
