Designing Out Suicide are happy to announce that we are now taking submissions for the 2nd of our annual collaborative mental health zines. Our  aim is to raise the awareness of women suffering with suicidal thoughts/ideations or mental health problems, which could lead to suicide.

See our facebook event page, like us on facebook to stay up to date with our events! 

Why women?
In the UK this year approximately 6000 people will end their own life, 3 quarters of this figure will be men. In absolute support of existing campaigns that are targeted specifically at men: see more info here. we wish to follow suit and support a forum  tailored towards women. 90% of suicide is related some form of mental health problem, and there are many serious mental health issues that are statistically higher in women – for instance suicidal ideations are higher in women, as is unipolar depression. Arguably, these statistics may be higher due to women being more likely to seek help, either way the need to raise awareness and eliminate stigma is well-founded and valid.

What is a zine, why create one?
A zine is a physical (and sometimes digital) self-published / produced / crafted /glued/stuck / mishmash / book. We’ll be hosting workshops to encourage collaboration both in conversation and with the practical side of the making. A creative and cathartic peer support group – where everyone cares and nobody judges or waits for you to speak.

What can you submit?
We want you to feel empowered to submit anything at all

Stories:
– Your stories and experiences – do you yourself suffer with a mental health problem or      know someone who does?
– Short fictional stories – if you have any short stories you’d like to share around the themes above, please share them*

Artistic:
– *Creative writing / short stories
– Poetry
– Illustration / Design / Art
– Collage
– anything!

Self Help / Alternative solutions
– Do you have any advice to share?
Share tips for self-help and maintaining mental wellbeing or mindfulness.
– Have you received any bad advice you have received and why it didn’t help?
– It may be that you wish to offer advise for people in your family or close friends on helpful methods to help them understand what you or someone else is going through.

What are the general themes of submission?
– Awareness
– Depression / Anxiety / Disorder
– Alternative solutions
– Therapy
– Drugs and Diagnosis
– NHS
– Politics
– Stigma
– Empowerment
– Experiences
– Wellbeing
– Anything you feel fits within the theme of mental health and suicide in particular

Who can submit?
Anyone who is interested in sharing something, named or anonymously: http://goo.gl/forms/RSPhT5XLYG 

How to submit?
You can submit work at one of our workshops or via email (take photos, scans or digital write-ups).

We’ll be hosting creative workshops to encourage conversation, creative play and collaboration.

Don’t let the word ‘creative’ put you off, this is just a form of expression.

Email: designingoutsuicide@gmail.com

If you would like to meet up and submit separately or would like a chat about the project, please contact the inbox above.

Delivery date:
We would like all submissions to be made by May 7th

Our first meet up is soon, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions and have a chat:

Any questions – just ask!