One in Four Magazine

I’ve just received a complimentary copy of the first issue of One in Four magazine, which describes itself as an “aspirational lifestyle magazine for people with mental health difficulties”. There’s a review of our website in there.

They’ve given us a very positive review, praising the “wide range of ideas and approaches” discussed, and the fact that “professionals can have very different views from each other, as can those who experience mental health difficulties themselves.”

That’s certainly true. Can I say how much I regularly look forward to the Weekly Oldschoolbaby/Beakie Argument?

Anyway, since One in Four have been so nice about us, I think I should give a review of their magazine in return. So here it is:

It’s a glossy, quarterly magazine that describes its focus as “Lifestyle, health, mental wellbeing”. Kind of a Cosmopolitan for people who take Quetiapine. It’s intended for distribution for free in GP surgeries, libraries, counselling services etc, or individual copies can be ordered online for £2.50 here.

This issue includes an interview with the former Prime Minister of Norway, relating his decision to go public while still in office about his struggles with depression. There’s also an article by our cyber-homie Seaneen, on the subject of “What’s the difference between being unhappy and being unwell?” She warns of the perils of labelling straightforward emotional distress with medical terms, and discusses some of the benefits and risks of self-diagnosis using the internet. Another one of our e-buddies, Mr Man’s Wife describes the highs and lows of being married to a person with schizophrenia, and stresses the importance of mutual support and understanding within the family.

There’s also articles on getting into and staying in employment, on talking therapies, and on mental health issues in the Army. Plus news, book reviews, and a regular section on mythbusting, which this issue tackles the perception of personality disorders as “untreatable”.

Admittedly I’m somewhat biased since they gave us a good review and they’ve got two of our mates writing for them, but I’d definitely recommend this publication. It’s well-designed, readable and informed.

To order an individual copy for £2.50 go here. To order bulk copies for distribution in GP surgeries, CMHT offices etc, download the subscription form.