Hello,
I would never usually do this, but I have just written a blog for the new(ish) literary magazine Under the Fable concerning poetry and mental health (seen as it was National Poetry Day and World Mental Health Day in the same week). I'd be well chuffed if you could a) have a read and see what you think and b) plug it to death anywhere and everywhere. They are a small magazine and need all the publicity they can get. Cheers.

The blog can be found @ https://medium.com/@Under_the_Fable/if-i-didn-t-think-i-d-be-much-happier-d8909df35fa

If this is breaking some form of forum protocol then sorry, just delete it.

Very enjoyable and well written article - though I think you might have meant to say that it might be easier to find a poet with a history of depression than one without - or maybe I got the wrong end of the stick.

I'd agree that mental anguish brings a whole lot of people to the world of poetry, and that it's a way of expressing yourself that allows some distance and certainly catharsis. From the performance scene, it's wonderful to see how people grow and surmount their difficulties. I suppose no-one can understand a poet like a fellow poet and that community support can be so vital if you are still coming to terms with your demons.

Hi Isobel. Glad you enjoyed the article. It was heartfelt. Believe it or not I actually meant that! Researching the mental health of poets is fascinating, and it is genuinely difficult to find well known poets who did not or do not suffer in some way.
Thanks for reading!