Thoughtful & Inspiring

Newaygo County Mental Health completes Poetry contest

 “Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that's what the poet does.” Allen Ginsburg

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health, Newaygo County Mental Health recently sponsored a poetry contest for current and past clients.   The contest was broken into two categories- Mental Health and Suicide Awareness, with  students and adults judged separately.
There were 18 submitted entries, from people of all ages.   They were reviewed based upon message, form, technique, originality and use of convention.
“The poems were amazing- thoughtful and inspiring”, according to one of the judges.   “I cried a little on my first reading of them – they showed people with resilience and determination in their lives”.
We appreciate the efforts of all of the writers, and appreciate their work in reducing the stigma surrounding seeking mental health services for those in need.
Newaygo County Mental Health is available to this community 24/7 at 231-689-7330.  Please call if you, or someone you know needs assistance with mental health or substance use disorder services.

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Battle Scars (2)

We all have battle scars,
Mental and physical,
From wars we all have fought:
Bullets shot from bullies,
Non-acceptance from our peers,
Words bombarding our thoughts,
Slashes from people who don’t understand.
 
We all bare some type of battle scars
We all crawl through the wars
of depression, even suicidal thoughts.
 
If you have no one to talk to
just look up to the sky
Talk to the moon.
It may not seem
as if the moon is listening
but, even the quietest whisper
can be heard.
 
The stars illuminating the dark.
Scars and stars
are the only reasons
We know that darkness can end.
 
Battle scars.
The only way
I know I survived.
​

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Changing It

Struggles so real it leaves you unable
to handle all that you feel…
Most people just stay away, not knowing
exactly what to say.
An illness that can not be seen nor to
comprehend – while we fight every day.
The attention is ours to defend.
It is time for you and me to come to
some sort of reality – that by love
and connection, only then can we change
the perception

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Storm

 It’s hard to admit that you are not all right.
It’s like saying you are struggling to stay alive.
Even though it’s true you don’t want to make others cry.
They will see me and say “Why do you want to die? Am I not good enough to keep you alive?”
You want to tell them that you struggle to even be outside.
There’s a storm accumulating in front of our eyes, and only I seem to mind.
Even though I want to die.
I will still force myself to fight.
The fight will throw me to the ground, and no one will bat an eye because they will only see me on the ground, and not the storm that surrounds me.
The storm may be a part of mind, but it does not make it any less of a pest.
I will fight the storm for my life because behind the clouded skies there will be better times.

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Stuck

I’m stuck inside, trapped here alone with no place
to hide, feeling as though part of me died.
 
I’m stuck inside this big black hole, trying to find
my long lost soul.
 
I’m stuck inside going to war, not even knowing what
I’m fighting for.
 
I’m stuck inside among the dark mist, welcome to
a place where love does not exist.
 
I’m stuck inside trying to replace these disturbing
thoughts in this dangerous place.
 
I’m stuck inside spinning around, staring out
the window, not making a sound.
 
I’m stuck inside determined to be free, determined
to be stronger, to be a better me

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