Art and Mental Illness

I've read Mark Vonnegut's books (son of Kurt) 'The Eden Express' and 'Just like Someone without mental illness, only more so' which are wonderful reads of Mark's experiences with mental illness. Mark often makes the point that art is a singularly useful and benificial way for the mentally ill to express themselves.

I write songs and poetry and can honestly say it has helped me. This is a poem I wrote this morning:

Stay Away from Robert

You should stay away from Robert

He's not been very well

He's had some kind of breakdown

Which I'm sure that you can tell

You should stay away from Robert

He's ashamed of what he's done

But no one gets a second chance

No, not even one

You should stay away from Robert

If you don't know what to do

For he might be contagious

And you could catch it too

You should stay away from Robert

Desert him as a friend

You don't need the drama

Of a patient on the mend

You should stay away from Robert

Leave him on his own

You should not be near him

When he's sinking like a stone

You should stay away from Robert

He's sad and he's depressed

And the comfort that he craves from you

Must never be expressed

You should stay away from Robert

There are dragons in his mind

And you mustn't waste your effort

Being merciful or kind

You should stay away from Robert

He'll wound you, it is true

And friends are just for keeping

For what they do for you

You should stay away from Robert

Don't say a single word

Perhaps your love could help him

But that would be absurd

There is no 'Robert', of course. I'd be interested in the work of any others on the forum who find their art, particularly writing to be helpful.

zenman55