Hel Spandler
@hspandler.bsky.social
Editor, Asylum the radical mental health magazine. Prof at UCLan. Ambivalent mental health politics. Mad Studies. Madzines. They/them. ❤️
We couldn't be in better company! @asylummagazine.bsky.social
😊
😊
Best Magazine Honour: Asylum
What more can we say! Asylum continues to be a fab radical magazine for 40 years
#RITBhonours
What more can we say! Asylum continues to be a fab radical magazine for 40 years
#RITBhonours
September 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
We couldn't be in better company! @asylummagazine.bsky.social
😊
😊
Reposted by Hel Spandler
'The technocrats / are taking over the asylums...'
I am very glad my poem 'A psychiatric hospital is not a factory' is in the new issue of Asylum. Big thanks to @hspandler.bsky.social & all at @asylummagazine.bsky.social for supporting my work & for campaigning so consistently over so many years ❤️❤️
I am very glad my poem 'A psychiatric hospital is not a factory' is in the new issue of Asylum. Big thanks to @hspandler.bsky.social & all at @asylummagazine.bsky.social for supporting my work & for campaigning so consistently over so many years ❤️❤️
September 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
'The technocrats / are taking over the asylums...'
I am very glad my poem 'A psychiatric hospital is not a factory' is in the new issue of Asylum. Big thanks to @hspandler.bsky.social & all at @asylummagazine.bsky.social for supporting my work & for campaigning so consistently over so many years ❤️❤️
I am very glad my poem 'A psychiatric hospital is not a factory' is in the new issue of Asylum. Big thanks to @hspandler.bsky.social & all at @asylummagazine.bsky.social for supporting my work & for campaigning so consistently over so many years ❤️❤️
Pleased to have a chapter about mental health activism in this exciting new book about Ambivalent Activism. Out now!
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
@brisunipress.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
@brisunipress.bsky.social
Ambivalent Activism
Ambivalent Activism - Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change; What if doubt, hesitation and ambivalence weren’t barriers to activism but powerful tools for change? This bol...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Pleased to have a chapter about mental health activism in this exciting new book about Ambivalent Activism. Out now!
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
@brisunipress.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
@brisunipress.bsky.social
Reposted by Hel Spandler
"Ambivalence is pervasive in #Activism but has far too long been neglected by scholars. This important and original collection explores the potential of ambivalence in a wide range of contexts." - Silke Roth, University of Southampton
Ambivalent Activism
Ambivalent Activism - Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change; What if doubt, hesitation and ambivalence weren’t barriers to activism but powerful tools for change? This…
buff.ly
September 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"Ambivalence is pervasive in #Activism but has far too long been neglected by scholars. This important and original collection explores the potential of ambivalence in a wide range of contexts." - Silke Roth, University of Southampton
Reposted by Hel Spandler
Amazing issue of Asylum Magazine out just now. So much valuable insight within its pages. If you don't experience mental illness, reading Asylum is one way to approach understanding it a little more. The only mag I subscribe to anymore.
@asylummagazine.bsky.social
@asylummagazine.bsky.social
September 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Amazing issue of Asylum Magazine out just now. So much valuable insight within its pages. If you don't experience mental illness, reading Asylum is one way to approach understanding it a little more. The only mag I subscribe to anymore.
@asylummagazine.bsky.social
@asylummagazine.bsky.social
Reposted by Hel Spandler
www.thenorthernrose.com/p/the-northe...
With a focus on the situation in Manchester, this podcast discusses how austerity in the UK has systematically decimated inpatient and community mental health care
With a focus on the situation in Manchester, this podcast discusses how austerity in the UK has systematically decimated inpatient and community mental health care
The Northern Rose Podcast Ep.5: A National Scandal - Neglecting Our Most Vulnerable with Dr. John Mulligan
In this episode we're joined by Dr. John Mulligan, a Unite Representative and clinical psychologist to explain how over a decade of austerity has systematically abandoned society's most vulnerable.
www.thenorthernrose.com
June 13, 2025 at 8:20 AM
www.thenorthernrose.com/p/the-northe...
With a focus on the situation in Manchester, this podcast discusses how austerity in the UK has systematically decimated inpatient and community mental health care
With a focus on the situation in Manchester, this podcast discusses how austerity in the UK has systematically decimated inpatient and community mental health care
Reposted by Hel Spandler
"Machines have no empathy"
(Sherry Turkle)
But if people say ChatGPT is kinder than almost every clinician they have come across, this says a lot about the quality of therapeutic alliances nowadays
Brilliant blog by Wren Avez
www.psychiatryisdrivingmemad.co.uk/post/chatgpt...
(Sherry Turkle)
But if people say ChatGPT is kinder than almost every clinician they have come across, this says a lot about the quality of therapeutic alliances nowadays
Brilliant blog by Wren Avez
www.psychiatryisdrivingmemad.co.uk/post/chatgpt...
The Silence feels Safer: Why I Trust ChatGPT More Than Mental Health Services
When ChatGPT becomes the mental health crisis care you wish you had all along
www.psychiatryisdrivingmemad.co.uk
May 14, 2025 at 7:06 AM
"Machines have no empathy"
(Sherry Turkle)
But if people say ChatGPT is kinder than almost every clinician they have come across, this says a lot about the quality of therapeutic alliances nowadays
Brilliant blog by Wren Avez
www.psychiatryisdrivingmemad.co.uk/post/chatgpt...
(Sherry Turkle)
But if people say ChatGPT is kinder than almost every clinician they have come across, this says a lot about the quality of therapeutic alliances nowadays
Brilliant blog by Wren Avez
www.psychiatryisdrivingmemad.co.uk/post/chatgpt...
Reposted by Hel Spandler
Attacking the rights of a marginalised group isn’t a win for feminism.
Demanding that women be defined by our biology isn't a win for feminism.
The people driving this are not acting in the interests of women. They're taking us all backwards and ushering in the far right.
Demanding that women be defined by our biology isn't a win for feminism.
The people driving this are not acting in the interests of women. They're taking us all backwards and ushering in the far right.
April 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Attacking the rights of a marginalised group isn’t a win for feminism.
Demanding that women be defined by our biology isn't a win for feminism.
The people driving this are not acting in the interests of women. They're taking us all backwards and ushering in the far right.
Demanding that women be defined by our biology isn't a win for feminism.
The people driving this are not acting in the interests of women. They're taking us all backwards and ushering in the far right.
Important thread
"For as long as critical psychiatry fails to engage with critics, it can & never will be different"
So many survivors are saying this. Its time to be taken seriously.
"For as long as critical psychiatry fails to engage with critics, it can & never will be different"
So many survivors are saying this. Its time to be taken seriously.
For the record, my issue with critical psychiatry is this. Baseline, they think they are so different but actually are one of the same.
1. It stops seeing me. It assumes everything I say is to maintain the "sick role". From this position, anything I say is warped.
1/
1. It stops seeing me. It assumes everything I say is to maintain the "sick role". From this position, anything I say is warped.
1/
April 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Important thread
"For as long as critical psychiatry fails to engage with critics, it can & never will be different"
So many survivors are saying this. Its time to be taken seriously.
"For as long as critical psychiatry fails to engage with critics, it can & never will be different"
So many survivors are saying this. Its time to be taken seriously.
Reposted by Hel Spandler
A disabled art activist has sent a powerful message to Labour over its DWP benefit cuts
Dolly Sen is sending Labour a clear, and harrowing message that its DWP cuts will lead to countless more deaths of disabled people.
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...
Dolly Sen is sending Labour a clear, and harrowing message that its DWP cuts will lead to countless more deaths of disabled people.
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...
A disabled art activist has sent a powerful message to Labour over its DWP benefit cuts
A disabled art activist has sent a powerful message to Labour over its DWP benefit cuts from Canary on 21 March 2025
www.thecanary.co
March 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A disabled art activist has sent a powerful message to Labour over its DWP benefit cuts
Dolly Sen is sending Labour a clear, and harrowing message that its DWP cuts will lead to countless more deaths of disabled people.
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...
Dolly Sen is sending Labour a clear, and harrowing message that its DWP cuts will lead to countless more deaths of disabled people.
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...
Wherever we sit on the psychiatric culture wars, I think psy professionals & academics need to admit we've collectively failed to create a compelling, compassionate & unifying narrative about mental suffering (regardless of what damn words you use to describe it).
Shame on us! 😟
Shame on us! 😟
March 22, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Wherever we sit on the psychiatric culture wars, I think psy professionals & academics need to admit we've collectively failed to create a compelling, compassionate & unifying narrative about mental suffering (regardless of what damn words you use to describe it).
Shame on us! 😟
Shame on us! 😟
Reposted by Hel Spandler
How many times do we have to say it? *Austerity doesn’t work*. More cuts to public spending is economically illiterate and morally indefensible - people didn’t vote Labour to get more Tory austerity. FFS tax extreme wealth, don’t slash public services @patmillsuk.bsky.social
Reeves to reveal biggest UK spending cuts since austerity in spring statement
Reeves to reveal biggest UK spending cuts since austerity in spring statement
Labour MPs uneasy as chancellor prepares even deeper reductions that economists say will harm key services
Rachel Reeves will announce the biggest spending cuts since austerity at next week’s spring statement after ruling out tax rises as a way to close…
www.theguardian.com
March 20, 2025 at 9:03 AM
How many times do we have to say it? *Austerity doesn’t work*. More cuts to public spending is economically illiterate and morally indefensible - people didn’t vote Labour to get more Tory austerity. FFS tax extreme wealth, don’t slash public services @patmillsuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Hel Spandler
Professionals using their platforms to legitimise government oppression, whether deliberately or not, are a part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
March 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Professionals using their platforms to legitimise government oppression, whether deliberately or not, are a part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Richly well deserved 👏
If you haven't listened to this, I'd thoroughly recommened it
If you haven't listened to this, I'd thoroughly recommened it
#patient11 based on my story of violence (especially sexual violence) in psychiatric 'warehouses' has been shortlisted for the @amnestyuk.bsky.social International Media Awards. Thanks Robert Mulhern (Sky) & Rebecca Thomas (The Independent)
Listen to patient-11 here: news.sky.com/story/patien...
Listen to patient-11 here: news.sky.com/story/patien...
Listen to Patient 11 podcast
A daring escape from NHS psychiatric care pits autism patient, Alexis Quinn, against some of the most powerful institutions in the State.
news.sky.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Richly well deserved 👏
If you haven't listened to this, I'd thoroughly recommened it
If you haven't listened to this, I'd thoroughly recommened it
Reposted by Hel Spandler
The good news is there is already a team of actual interdisciplinary experts putting together detailed advice around data collection on sex and gender, informed by medical science as well as feminist and trans perspectives. They are the MESSAGE project and you can learn more here:
Medical Science Sex & Gender Equity
The MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) project aims to improve the integration of sex and gender considerations across data collection, analysis and reporting in biomedical, health and ca...
www.messageproject.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The good news is there is already a team of actual interdisciplinary experts putting together detailed advice around data collection on sex and gender, informed by medical science as well as feminist and trans perspectives. They are the MESSAGE project and you can learn more here:
Good to see a more nuanced approach to simplistic & dangerous "overdiagnosis" debates
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Culture warriors see not sick Britain, but a plague of 'overdiagnosis'. How convenient | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Instead of dismissing huge swaths of the population, how about a nuanced conversation about neurodivergence and mental health, asks Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Good to see a more nuanced approach to simplistic & dangerous "overdiagnosis" debates
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Hel Spandler
US study on sustainable menstruation products cancelled cos it *mentioned* that trans folk menstruate too.
www.advocate.com/news/usda-sc...
www.advocate.com/news/usda-sc...
Trump officials kill federal research on safer period products over mention of transgender men
The study is meant to improve health during menstruation.
www.advocate.com
March 14, 2025 at 8:50 PM
US study on sustainable menstruation products cancelled cos it *mentioned* that trans folk menstruate too.
www.advocate.com/news/usda-sc...
www.advocate.com/news/usda-sc...
Co-authored a chapter on ambivalent mental health activism for this new book which will be out soon.
Looks great. Looking forward to reading all the other chapters.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
Looks great. Looking forward to reading all the other chapters.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
Ambivalent Activism
Ambivalent Activism - Working with Contradiction, Hesitation and Doubt for Social Change; What if doubt, hesitation and ambivalence weren’t barriers to activism but powerful tools for change? This bol...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Co-authored a chapter on ambivalent mental health activism for this new book which will be out soon.
Looks great. Looking forward to reading all the other chapters.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
Looks great. Looking forward to reading all the other chapters.
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/ambivalent-a...
Reposted by Hel Spandler
Do join us tomorrow, if you want to know more about
@StopOxevision or just hear some mad poetry come along.
Register here us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
@StopOxevision or just hear some mad poetry come along.
Register here us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
March 12, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Do join us tomorrow, if you want to know more about
@StopOxevision or just hear some mad poetry come along.
Register here us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
@StopOxevision or just hear some mad poetry come along.
Register here us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
This is a truly terrifying take on #MAGA, but despairingly plausible ...
Could it be that the destruction of the habitable planet is not just an accidental outcome of Trump's policies, but is in fact the policy?
My column this week asks another question that most people, I think, would rather not face.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My column this week asks another question that most people, I think, would rather not face.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The fact that humans can only survive on Earth doesn’t bother Trump – and I know why | George Monbiot
He is surrounded by people who have plans and dreams beyond our planet. Vengeful nihilism is a big part of the Maga project, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
March 6, 2025 at 7:30 AM
This is a truly terrifying take on #MAGA, but despairingly plausible ...
"We mustn't let the narcissism of small differences prevent us from uniting to do what is required of us at this crucial historical juncture...Whether we will, as a society, choose solidarity or abandonment & whether we will meet suffering with care or with cruelty"
newrepublic.com/article/1918...
newrepublic.com/article/1918...
RFK Jr.’s Mental Health Bait and Switch
The newly anointed HHS secretary is weaponizing legitimate anger at the failures of current psychiatric care to gut public services, abandon poor and disabled people, and expand the police state.
newrepublic.com
March 1, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"We mustn't let the narcissism of small differences prevent us from uniting to do what is required of us at this crucial historical juncture...Whether we will, as a society, choose solidarity or abandonment & whether we will meet suffering with care or with cruelty"
newrepublic.com/article/1918...
newrepublic.com/article/1918...
Asylum has landed with subscribers! @asylummagazine.bsky.social @stopoxevision.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Asylum has landed with subscribers! @asylummagazine.bsky.social @stopoxevision.bsky.social