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Its Not Easy Being Green Verse 71-80 by Caroline Burrows VerseCycle

Angora Poets World Cafe September 6th

Its Not Easy Being Green Verse 61-70 by Caroline Burrows aka VerseCycle

Angora Poets World Caffe August 22

Listen to the Song ˇI want to beˇ by LUMN

Launch for the charity book released for various cancer charities, 

Words to Remember is the debut collection from Printed Words

featuring 43 various authors.

The launch for this featured book:

The following people read tonight:

Andy N

Amanda Steel

Dray Zera

Emma Lee

Sam Palmer

Anthony Smith

Linda Quinn

Ilaria Passeri

The book can be purchased from all the usual booksellers including Amazon at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Words-Remember-Printed-Anthology/dp/1393548857/

Sidney Williams has written 12 published novels and a host of short stories. He is a creative writing teacher and former newspaper reporter. The pic is of Oliver, who's mentioned in the poem, sitting on my lap. 

R.I.P. OLIVER from all of us.

Listen to this "Suicide Awareness and Prevention' poem on World Suicide Prevention Day #WSPD by Caroline Burrows

‘#Poetry Helps: Suicide Awareness and Prevention’

by Caroline Burrows @VerseCycle

for Glenside Hospital Museum, and Bristol Festival of Ideas

Suicide: the act; the ideation,

Even the word is often avoided,

To help prevent it, let’s start a conversation.

How should such a scary subject be worded?

Current advice recommends being direct,

So say the word ‘suicide’, be candid.

Other terms can be taken out of context.

Like ‘doing something silly’ or ‘having dark thoughts’,

Which might minimize or mock in their subtext.

One suicide survivor said she’d have been less distraught,

If she’d known of the types of help that can be sought,

That getting sectioned is only used as a last resort.

If worried about how to give someone support,

ZeroSuicideAlliance.com’s website,

Has courses online that are both helpful and short.

I watched three videos which gave me an insight,

How to approach family, colleagues, or strangers,

If I am worried and want to check they’re alright.

Other things we can learn from suicide survivors,

One told me after he shared his feelings with his partner,

That when he reached out, it brought in help from others.

Some non-verbal signs which act as indicators,

Changes in sleep, low mood, rapid weight shifts,

These might suggest suicidal behaviours.

Pay attention if someone starts taking risks,

Seems distracted, or socially withdrawn,

Things at odds with their normal characteristics.

Other things to look out for which might warn:

The giving away of prized possessions;

Anger; substance abuse; can be cause for concern.

Phrases might show suicidal ideation:

Someone might say they feel worthless, hopeless,

A burden, or alone, with no future option.

A survivor once thought putting others first was selfless,

But that meant she cared for herself less and less,

She said self-care’s not selfish; it’s needed for wellness.

Risk factors are: a sense of helplessness;

Dealing with bereavement; or unemployment;

An untreated, or an active mental-health illness;

Or chronic pain that doesn’t respond to treatment,

Such stresses might lead to someone not knowing how

To cope, or negatively affect their judgement.

These signs and symptoms show commonly how

Many factors affect someone’s mental well-being.

By talking we can help make someone ‘safe for now’.

Speak to the person, ask them how they’re feeling,

Say you’ve noticed them acting differently;

They don’t seem themselves; Can you help with anything?

If they are experiencing difficulties,

Listening shows you care, and can make a difference,

When someone feels isolated with their worries.

So you can provide the correct assistance,

Ask if someone is thinking about suicide,

To know where to go next for more guidance.

One survivor felt like part of his brain lied,

That his every negative thought got magnified,

This was his anxiety; it had catastrophised.

If someone’s having thoughts they’re trying to fight or hide,

And experiencing suicidal ideation,

There are organisations with whom they can confide.

There’s a helpline with the Samaritans,

Which can be phoned any day twenty-four seven,

Their service provides someone who listens.

Mind’s Infoline provides information,

During office hours about services,

....

Copyright © Caroline Burrows 2020.  Twitter/IG/Facebook/YouTube: @VerseCycle

Its Not Easy Being Green A Year of Trying to be Environmentally Friendly Verses 51 to 60 by Caroline Burrows VerseCycle. Enjoy <3

Its Not Easy Being Green A Year of Trying to be Environmentally Friendly Verses 41 to 50  by Caroline Burrows VerseCycle. Enjoy <3