Beyond The Degree

A month has passed since Ariana Grande's charity benefit concert One Love Manchester took place, in response to the IS bomb attack during her Manchester segment of the Dangerous Woman tour, which resulted in 22 deaths and several hospitalisations.  I know that my opinion and feelings certainly can't vouch for everyone's but personally, while I was watching the concert I do not think that there was a moment where I was dry-eyed. Even within the interview breaks and commentaries and the camera panning across Old Trafford, I felt an overwhelming feeling of the nation's unity and strength. When the camera showed a policeman holding hands and dancing with a group of children, I couldn't help but feel proud and joyful as I saw the people of the nation coming together and standing with each other during a global tough time.  Ariana has my unconditional admiration and respect as I view the concert as a benchmark which truly represented a 'fight for what is righ...

Recently in popular culture, many iconic figures are being incredibly courageous in accepting and acknowledging their mental health issues. Some have been rehabilitated and have addressed to their fans how they need to take time to 'fix' themselves. This courage that they exude, will hopefully have a ripple effect on other people, encouraging them to open up about their problems; despite the long existing stigma around mental health. I am constantly questioning why there is so much stigma around mental health. Especially as one in four people will experience mental health problems at one point in their life. In addition to this, depression in youths has increased by 70% in the last twenty five years. Personally, I feel like these statistics are considerably high. If it affects that many people, why is there so much shame around it? When a person is physically injured, hospitalised or has broken a bone, they appear to be swarmed with affection and concern, get well soon card...