For this episode, we hear from Michaela ‘The Plentiful Poet’ Spencer, poet and spoken word artist and founder of Truth Mental Health. Michaela speaks about her journey as an artist, and how art can be used a a tool for healing. She also discusses the events that led to her starting Truth Mental Health, and the impact of George Floyd’s murder on the black community from a mental health perspective. Due to the UK National Lockdown, Rachel and Michaela were unable to meet in person to record the conversation, so this episode was recorded in the form of voice notes using their mobile phones.

Content/Trigger Warning: This episode of Community Conversations includes discussions of mental illness, suicide, murder, sexual abuse, racially motivated violence, domestic violence, death and dying, which some listeners may find triggering.

It is also important to note that the views, opinions and experiences expressed in this episode are those of the guest speaker, and do to necessarily represent the views of City Arts and those involved in the making of this podcast.

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If you or someone you know have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode and would like further support, you can visit the following links (UK-based services):

Mental illness and bereavement

African and Caribbean Mental Health Services (ACMHS) - acmh-services.co.uk

Mind - mind.org.uk

Samaritans  - samaritans.org.uk

Domestic abuse

National Domestic Abuse Helpline  - nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Equation (Nottingham-based) - equation.org.uk