EraseRestart, 20th issue:
Gardens of my Mind

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EraseRestart, 20th issue: Gardens of my Mind 🌷 . Hi everyone! The first EraseRestart event is coming up next week – in time to celebrate the #WorldMentalHealthDay. “Gardens of my Mind” will take place at @romantsoathens. At the entrance there will be a donation box in support of EDRA, an organisation I got introduced to last April and who are doing an incredible job at promoting mental health within the Greek society and beyond. At the event there will be two interesting speeches – one about trauma and healing and one about the every day life at the two mental health units of EDRA. What will follow is a special DJ set by Sophie Sarigiannidou from Marsheaux and the celebration of the group exhibition “Gardens of my Mind” by the talented photographers @brinkleycapriola , @fotini_chora , @ofcuriosities & @marileoko. The purpose of this event is to spark a conversation about mental health in a time where the crumbles of society as we know it pile up and worries about the future of our planet continuously grow. We all cultivate the gardens of our minds – whether consciously or subconsciously. They become a coping mechanism; a shelter away from high pressure and negative feelings. If you’re in Athens next Thursday, come join me celebrating mental health through information and beautiful art! Thank you for stopping by, SP 🌝💚✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 19th issue:
Eating Disorders

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EraseRestart, 19th issue: Eating Disorders 💜 . I never quite felt comfortable with my weight and what I saw in the mirror. When I was 19 years old, I became obsessed with weighing myself and trying to “score” lower. For me, it started after a back injury I had at the drama school. I thought that the thinner I became, the easier the doctor would access my vertebrae during therapy, the faster I’d get out of bed. But even after my back got better, I kept up with my new, unhealthy eating habits. There would be days I wouldn’t even drink water. I reached 38 kgs. Luckily – and with the help of my family, I managed to get out of that spiral… but then the hormonal issues kicked in, leading to weight gain, mostly due to fluid retention… I would starve myself all day but would still gain grams, kilos. Going from the “you should eat something” to the “you’re not so light anymore huh? You’ve gained so much weight” – having people almost constantly commenting on my weight, both at the drama school and in my band surrounding, I felt ugly and useless. Even though my hormone levels  balanced out within a year or so – whether I was on the thinner or the fuller end, I never truly managed to embrace myself. So this issue is personal – yet filled with valuable (and hopefully helpful) information. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, please do seek out for help. I know first hand that it never truly goes away, but it can get better – that I can promise. Thank you for stopping by – SP 💜💜 PS. What helped me get better and re-develop a healthy relationship with food was cooking. I would find the most complex, the most difficult recipes – those that required hard-to-find ingredients and took ages to prepare. Through enjoying the process, I would slowly start enjoying tasting my creations, too. It took a long time, but that’s what worked out for me – shout-out to Nigel Slater for having some of the most creative and delicate recipes. – S. x . . . #eatingdisorders #beatingeatingdisorders #foodfreedom #mentalhealthmatters #edwarriors #edrecovery #endthestigma

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EraseRestart, 18th issue:
Self Care

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EraseRestart, 18th issue: Self Care 🌸 . Hi everyone! EraseRestart is back with an issue dedicated to self care. It took me many years to accept that practicing self care doesn’t mean being selfish. While I’d go around and preach to the people around me “take some time off, respect your limits”, I would constantly cross mine, oftentimes, leaving me completely floored. I wouldn’t say I’ve now mastered the art of self care, but I’ve most certainly become better at it. Self care is an ancient concept that’s somehow misunderstood, in today’s world. It isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. It’s absolutely VITAL to practice self care, in order to maintain good health. I encourage you all to consciously take a break, think of your needs and make a plan to fulfill them. Happy scrolling and happy relaxing. SP 🌝💕✨ . PS: This is the issue I published last month and then deleted it because it barely showed to people. I’ve had some troubles with IG and its algorithm – apparently it doesn’t ~love~ the EraseRestart format. But as I’m looking for alternative platforms (already working on an event here in Athens ✨✨), I decided to re-upload this issue because truly, simply – self care matters and also we can’t let those bits & bytes mess with our projects and passions. A HUGE THANK YOU to all those people sending me sweet and encouraging notes last month about EraseRestart. Lots of love to you all 💕💕💕✨✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am

EraseRestart, 17th issue:
Bipolar Disorder

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EraseRestart, 17th issue: Bipolar Disorder 🎭 . [REPOSTING BC SOME OF THE PAGES TURNED BLANK 😬🖤] . Hi there! This month’s issue will be looking into bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is one of the most stigmatised mental illnesses. Perhaps, that’s because of the unrealistic portrayal of bipolar disorder in arts and culture – those struggling with it are often presented as mad criminals, (self-)destructive people who can’t separate reason from emotion. Unfortunately, stigma spreads fast, leading to people living with bipolar disorder left without a support system and/or ways to handle and treat their illness. EraseRestart means education and that’s what this and all issues are about. For this issue in particular, I decided to make it less visual and more factual – something that may not agree with Instagram’s algorithm. Regardless, I’d like to start a conversation about what we can do to make it better for those struggling. How can we improve our understanding of (in this case) bipolar disorder and help those around us? I was recently told by a friend that it’s probably about time to change the cover and the style of EraseRestart – but EraseRestart is hardly about aesthetics. It’s about learning more about mental health, educating ourselves (myself included, of course). It’s about erasing stigma and restarting with more understanding and kindness for those struggling. There’s nothing glamorous and/or aesthetically pleasing about mental health. There’s nothing mystifying about it and frankly, for a generation that claims to break the stereotypes (and does so well, so often), we still have a long way to go in understanding that achieving good mental health means facing mental illness. For real, though. I hope you’ll find this issue informative and helpful. Until next month – thank you for stopping by, SP 🌝✨✨ . . . . #bipolardisorder #bipolardisorderawareness #yourenotalone #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am

EraseRestart, 16th issue:
Awareness

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EraseRestart 16th issue: Awareness 👁👁 . Hi everyone! The 16th issue of EraseRestart is here to look into awareness. Everyone is raising awareness about something these days, but why? What is a mental health advocate? Since 1949, Mental Health America has established Mental Health (Awareness) Month, observed every year in May all across the United States (and beyond, thanks to new technologies). We have definitely moved forward since the late 40s/early 50s, when this action was first initiated. We’re definitely more aware and sensitive about social issues that tantalise our communities. People are keen on talking more and louder about mental health these days. We speak about it, but do we listen? Part of raising awareness is educating ourselves. What is mental illness? What are the mental health disorders? How can we achieve productive advocacy and help destigmatise mental illness? Starting from somewhere, we can take cues from Mental Health America and be inspired by their commitment and resilience. Mental health is part of the bigger conversation about public health – something that should matter to all. We must keep listening, learning, talking about it and taking action. For a more inclusive world. Thank you for stopping by, SP 🌝💚

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 15th issue:
Depression

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EraseRestart 15th issue: Depression 🥀 . Hi everyone! This issue will be looking into depression – one of the most common illnesses. According to World Health Organization, 300 million people around the world have depression which makes it the leading cause of disability worldwide. It can affect anyone; that’s why it’s important to educate ourselves on what it is, what could the symptoms and the risk factors be and how to treat it. In regards to the cure of depression, although we have the tools, unfortunately, many patients remain untreated. That may be due to the lack of resources (reduced funds, too few trained mental health professionals, too few mental health care facilities), limited to no accessibility to receive treatment (high costs, not many options for remote communities/rural areas), the social stigma that (unnecessarily)surrounds mental health… The message EraseRestart wants to send with this issue is that no matter the case and the circumstances, if you need help, please reach out to your closest ones and/or your national/local crisis lines. Depression is a serious illness and needs to/can be treated. Always remember, we’re together in this – talking about mental health. Thank you for stopping by, SP 🌝 ✨ (List of suicide crisis lines – worldwide: http://bit.ly/suicidecrisislines)

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 14th issue:
Women for Mental Health

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EraseRestart 14th issue: Women for Mental Health ✊🌹 . Hi everyone! As you know, today we celebrate International Women’s Day. Inspired by this year’s #balanceforbetter campaign, this EraseRestart is dedicated to the women who came before us and worked hard to break the stigma that surrounds mental health, the women who are achieving great things the now and the children of the future as then, hopefully, gender won’t be used to discriminate, indicate “superiority” and/or keep one away from reaching their full potential. Happy International Women’s Day and happy scrolling! SP🌹 . . #iwd #internationalwomensday #forabetterworld #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 13th issue:
1 year of talking about it

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EraseRestart, 13th issue: 1 Year of Talking About It 💚 . Hi friends! This EraseRestart issue is rather celebratory. A year ago, I decided to start publishing EraseRestart and commence a conversation on here around mental health. Every month, I dedicated time to educate myself on mental health and learn about the latest studies and their findings. Through this platform, I was given the chance to connect with lots of activists, people who want to follow a similar path or simply felt connected to the topic of breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health. I’m eternally grateful to all the people who stopped by and scrolled through EraseRestart. I’m oh-so-thankful to those who listened and became more mindful in their everyday lives. EraseRestart is here and will keep being published, in the hope of building bridges within our societies. For more understanding and kindness, as I always like to say. Thank you all for your time and for showing love to this project. Sky is the limit, so here we come! Happy scrolling and happy first year anniversary to EraseRestart! SP 🌝✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 12th issue:
In Literature

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EraseRestart, 12th issue: In Literature 📚 . Hi everyone! The 12th issue of EraseRestart is about classic books that touch on mental illness. In Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Woolf’s character Septimus Warren Smith, a WWI veteran, struggles with post-traumatic stress and depression. Virginia Woolf possibly drew inspiration from her struggles with her own mental health; the character is written in a truthful, representational manner. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare explores madness, depression and suicide with great sensitivity. Especially Ophelia’s character is written in a very humane and respectful way. In The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood is an almost autobiographical character for Sylvia Plath – a young woman who’s struggling with clinical depression and suicide ideation, experiencing life at a mental institution in the 50s. Lastly, in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield – the protagonist of the book, may not necessarily struggle with mental illness – the character’s mental state has been debated over the years. That said, Holden is surely suffering by Weltschmerz and is tormented by existentialism. In your opinion, which book depicts mental illness in a genuine way? Which book has brought you closer to understanding own or your loved ones’ struggles? Feel free to let me know in the comments or through DMs. Happy scrolling and thank you for stopping by, SP 🌝✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 11th issue:
Through Music

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EraseRestart, 11th issue: Through Songs 💛 . Hi all! Do you have a song that you put on when you’re feeling blue? Do you have a song that lifts you up? Music is powerful! Not only it’s got a biological effect on us (can help reduce heart rate, can help increase serotonin levels etc), but it’s also helping us connect with each other and become more social. It’s been reported that music therapy was used for healing purposes in Ancient Egypt & Ancient Greece. It’s proven by studies that music therapy improves the lives of those struggling with schizophrenia. Music has also been helping individuals cope with their depression and anxiety. I’d like to hear from you – your favorite songs, lyrics that helped you through tough times. I’d also like to invite you to care for yourselves this weekend and take it slow. I compiled a Spotify playlist titled “Self-Care/EraseRestart” with some super sweet tunes released in 2018 – candy for your ears! Happy scrolling and happy listening 🎧, SP 🌝✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 10th issue:
On Screen

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EraseRestart, 10th issue: On Screen ? . Hi all! The 10th issue of EraseRestart is a bit different. It comes with film and series recommendations – films and series that shed some light into dealing with mental illness, whether yourself, or through a loved one. On our way to breaking the stigma, we should acknowledge creators who went against the mainstream, offensive (on screen) depiction of mental illness and showed us that struggling with a mental health issue doesn’t make a person less human or less in need for friendship and love. I’ve put together some of my own favorites but I’d love to hear yours – you can either leave me a comment or DM me films and series that lift you up after a tough day or that you found them honest and realistic in representing mental illness. Happy scrolling and happy screening ?, SP ?✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 9th issue:
Youth

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EraseRestart, 9th issue: Youth ? . Hi all! Today is #worldmentalhealthday and I think it’s most appropriate that the theme of this issue is the mental health of the youth. The numbers of poor mental health among children, adolescents and young adults are doubling from year to year. In the UK only recent studies proved that the average time for a child to be treated for a mental health problem is ten years, with the parents reporting deterioration of their child’s health within that time. But what happens to countries with even less funds (or no funds at all) to spend for the treatment of children and young people’s mental health? What happens to children traumatized by war and a painful journey to seek refuge in another country? We’re responsible for the youth and the generations to come – it’s about time that we realize that and we start taking actions. Erasing the stigma that surrounds mental health is one good, first step towards a healthier society. Then we can restart/reset/reboot. It shouldn’t be that hard; we didn’t do it for us – we HAVE TO do it for our children. We must empower and provide them with the right tools for the difficult years to come! Thank you for reading & happy (mindful) scrolling! More power to the youth ? . . #theworldneeds to empower its children #childrenarethefuture #globalmhsummit #timetoact #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters

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EraseRestart, 8th issue:
Women

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EraseRestart, 8th issue: Women ? . Hi all! The 8th issue of EraseRestart is dedicated to all women warriors out there who are battling mental illness like champions. Realizing that you’re facing a mental health challenge and fighting for it, being brave to talk about it and seek out for help – taking action. That’s so admirable! It’s proven that women are more likely to talk about their mental health, despite the stigma. For years, we’ve put up with the “mentally unstable” stereotype “due to hormones”, the “oh, it’s that time of the month” sexist comments… It’s time to erase the stigma/hypocrisy/gender bias from the talks about mental health. It’s time to restart the conversation on new grounds, teach the younger generations and the men in our lives the magic of lifting each other up. Fun fact: sisterhood – the major force that it is, is helping you heal. According to the @mentalhealthfoundation, “good social support can play a part in preventing ill mental health and can help people recover from mental health problems”. Food for thought and a good reason to be thankful today (and every day). Thank you for stopping by and for joining forces with me to break the stigma surrounding mental health??✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 7th issue:
Men

EraseRestart, 7th issue: Men ? . Hi all! The 7th issue of EraseRestart is about men’s mental health. Men are less likely to talk about their mental health struggles and seek out for help. Due to the toxic stereotype of the man being seen as the provider in our societies, a mental illness is often seen and perceived as weakness both by the one struggling and his peers. LGBT+ men, as well as men who belong in racial/ethnic minorities appear to struggle the most because society is making it even harder for them from very early on in their lives. The high rates of male suicide worldwide prove that stigma and internalised pain are leading nowhere. If you need emotional support and/or are struggling with thoughts of suicide, seek out for help at your national suicide prevention line. Be healthy and thank you for stopping by, SP ?✨ (List of help lines worldwide http://bit.ly/suicidecrisislines)

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 6th issue:
Creative Industries

EraseRestart, 6th issue: Creative Industries ? . Hi all! The 6th issue of EraseRestart is about mental health in the creative industries – and it’s a bit different, if you may! It’s meant to debunk the myth of the creative genius. That being said, a recent study in Northern Ireland found out that people working in the creative industries are three times more likely to suffer from mental health problems than the general public. From what I’ve seen in the places I’ve been, it’d be safe to say that this is not a problem that only people in Northern Ireland are facing. Insane deadlines, lots of competition, a derailing economy all over the world that requires creativity to survive, lack of security… the list is long! Not to mention that working in the creative industries means no day off and in many cases, even no sleep. I made this zine today to shed a light on the lives of many people that you might have in your surrounding. Let’s stop telling them that they should stress out less or that they should find a “real job”. Instead, we should lend them an ear and find out more about their vision and the exciting projects they’ve been working on! Thank you for reading and I hope you’ll enjoy this issue, SP ?✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am


EraseRestart, 5th issue:
In Music

EraseRestart, 5th issue: In Music ?? . Dear music fan, dear fellow artist, Music artists all over the world are being exploited on a daily basis. That leaves them with poor mental & physical health, debts and no hope for the future. It’s up to you and me to change that. We should all come together, united by our love for music. • Stop supporting management companies & labels who cash in on the backs of exhausted artists. • Boycott labels & publishers who promote quantity over quality. • Boycott events where performers are criminally underpaid – invited to play for “exposure”. • Lastly, turn your backs to clickbait publications and unethical journalists who see a story in someone else’s tragedy. We can bring a change, but only if we stick together. Power to the artists! ✊? Yours faithfully, Sarah P.

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EraseRestart, 4th issue:
Talking About It With A Partner

EraseRestart, 4th issue: Talking about it with a partner ? . Hi everyone! The fourth issue of @eraserestart is here, recommending playing with open cards when in a relationship. Similarly to the third issue (“Talking about it with friends & family”), it’d be safe to state that a romantic partner can play a positive role in the life of someone who’s struggling with their mental health. That being said, an unhealthy relationship can have the exact opposite effect and impact the lives and mental wellbeing of both people involved. Everyone comes with their own baggage, that’s why communication and understanding are essential when in a relationship. Due to the instability of our times and what we’ve been taught by older generations, we tend to always be in the lookout for something better – a better house, job, better friends, better partners. This attitude leads to a fear of commitment inextricably linked to the fear of missing out. Even when in a relationship, we might find ourselves questioning our choices – a frustration that we might project to our partner by sending them mixed signals of what we want. Being open about our anxieties and other struggles can only help to build relationships that are long-lasting and meaningful. What if we’re missing out on something important, exactly by striving for the perfect life? In all cases, perhaps we need to relearn how to talk to each other and redefine our idea of “trouble”. Perhaps, we all need to walk the line between knowing our limits and not being selfish when someone’s calling for help. Thank you for reading and I hope you’ll enjoy scrolling through this issue, SP ?✨

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EraseRestart, 3rd issue:
With Friends And Family

EraseRestart, 2nd issue:
At Work

EraseRestart, 2nd issue: At work / There’s no shame in asking for help . Hi everyone! This is the second issue of EraseRestart. With my Instazine, I invite you all to erase the stigma around mental health & restart in our communities with more understanding and respect towards those affected by mental illness. As I wrote before, EraseRestart is made with love and is the result of personal struggles and history. This issue is focusing on work. A workplace doesn’t necessarily give us the chance to show who we really are. The high pressure of our times has led to people “burning out”, which is a not-so-terrifying word for depression. Yet, according to @statista, the “percentage of adults who would turn to a counseling center for help in case of burnout as of 2017” is just 17%. This zine focuses on solutions rather than on problems – whether we’re talking about quick “mood pick-me-ups” or changes we should actively incorporate in our lives in order to be more inclusive and understanding towards the rest of the world. We all have a lot to learn so I encourage you to swipe through EraseRestart & start a conversation – talk with your friends & family, with your colleagues & managers. And remember – there’s no shame in asking for help! In fact, it’s the most courageous thing. It will all be ok, as long as we have each other’s back. Thank you for your time & wishing y’all a nice weekend. SP ?

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am

EraseRestart, 1st issue:
At Home

EraseRestart, 1st issue: When at home & when in worry ? . Hi all, as I mentioned previously, this marks the beginning of a series of actions that aim to raise awareness around mental health. Mental illness is a topic that’s been covered broadly in the recent years, but there’s a long way to go when it comes to breaking the stigma. This instazine is meant to focus on solutions. It’s made with love and is the result of personal struggles and history. Together with you, I want to erase the societal stigma and restart on new grounds, with profound understanding for all those affected by mental illness whether directly or indirectly. It would mean the world to me if you spent 1 minute swiping through EraseRestart. Ultimately grateful for your time, SP ?✨

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Sarah P. (@sarahpofficial) am