Marxism 2015 6: A Spectacular Finish To The Day – Beth Greenhill on Mental Health

A personal account of the meeting “Marxism and Mental Health”, which was in the Saturday evening slot of Marxism 2015 and had been given a large venue (which was packed).

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to another post about my experiences at Marxism 2015, the five-day political festival in central London organised by the Socialist Workers Party. Previous posts can be viewed here. This post focuses on one meeting, one which I believe fully deserves to be thus privileged.

MARXISM AND MENTAL HEALTH

This meeting was important for me in many different ways, not least in that by its mere presence it meant two meetings on the subject of mental health (along with earlier one featuring Susan Rosenthal).

TREATING MENTAL HEALTH WITH DUE SERIOUSNESS

Not only was this meeting given the prominence of a Saturday evening slot, it was given one of the biggest venues to be used during the event, the Elvin Hall (and btw was packed to the rafters). To see one genuinely good slide presentation is unusual, to encounter two in one day is (for me at least) unprecedented good fortune – but it happened here.

Beth Greenhill set up and ready for action.
Beth Greenhill set up and ready for action.
This picture was on display before the meeting started.
This picture was on display before the meeting started.
Beth and chair Pete Jackson ready for action.
Beth and chair Pete Jackson ready for action.
A book display (my finances do not permit more than looking!)
A book display (my finances do not permit more than looking!)

THE MEETING ITSELF

To give you an idea of Beth’s talk I will share those of the slides I managed to capture…

DSCN9059

The sign off screen, and our featured image.
The sign off screen, and our featured image.

DSCN9098 DSCN9097 DSCN9096 DSCN9095

Beth giving her talk.
Beth giving her talk.

DSCN9093

Not a separate slide - a sneaky close up by me.
Not a separate slide – a sneaky close up by me.

DSCN9091 DSCN9090 DSCN9089 DSCN9088 DSCN9087 DSCN9086 DSCN9085 DSCN9084 DSCN9083 DSCN9082 DSCN9080 DSCN9079 DSCN9078 DSCN9076 DSCN9075 DSCN9072 DSCN9071 DSCN9069 DSCN9068 DSCN9067 DSCN9066 DSCN9065 DSCN9064 DSCN9063 DSCN9060

There were some excellent contributions from the floor, most notable east London social worker Monica and south London mental health activist Jeremy.

Monica, opening the discussion section of the meeting.
Monica, opening the discussion section of the meeting.
Jeremy making his contribution.
Jeremy making his contribution.

Being present at this meeting was an amazing experience, and apart from the opening and final rallies it was without doubt the best meeting I attended on any of the five days. I finish with another couple of photographs…

Beth giving her summing up speech.
Beth giving her summing up speech.
A stylised rendering of the Euston Arch on the Victoria line platform (the original was destroyed in the 1960s so I cannot comment on the closeness of the resemblance).
A stylised rendering of the Euston Arch on the Victoria line platform (the original was destroyed in the 1960s so I cannot comment on the closeness of the resemblance).
Unknown's avatar

Author: Thomas

I am a founder member and currently secretary of the West Norfolk Autism Group and am autistic myself. I am a very keen photographer and almost every blog post I produce will feature some of my own photographs. I am an avidly keen cricket fan and often post about that sport.

Leave a comment