Depression And Me

David Heulfryn / / Depression, Screeve

The Beeb has been showing some interesting programmes about mental health this past week. I have finally been feeling ok to watch some of them. I had been reluctant to watch any in case they made me feel worse. They are a very interesting watch and I would recommend watching, if you have access to the BBC iPlayer.

We don’t talk about mental health. I certainly didn’t, until recently. And even now I am very careful who I reveal my mental issues to. There is still a big stigma out there and people are still very judgemental.

So in case you are in any doubt. I suffer from depression.

I have lost many a friend (and boyfriend) to it as when it hits I turn in on myself and shut out the world. I tend to be more honest with people now, but as I said prevously, I’m still very careful who I tell.

Two weeks ago I fell into one of my bouts of depression but am coming out of it now. I re-posted the picture below about a week ago and thought I would share it with you.

Just to be clear I wasn’t suicidal.

The picture just reminded me how I sometimes feel when faced with people suffering with their own mental health issues.

Even with the experience of my own depression I struggle with how to help a person who is suffering from mental health issues. I really should do something about that.

Daddy’s Home by Natty Soltesz

David Heulfryn / / Natty Soltesz

Natty Soltesz is one of our valued authors and has written several great short stories, the latest of which, The Engineering of Consent, is now available for you to read. But Natty has more to offer.

Natty has published three new short stories about incestuous romance in his new book, Daddy’s Home!

The three stories are:

Striking Out: A father and son vacation turns awkward when Steven and his son Jeff begin hitting on women at a beach bar. They strike out, but back at the hotel things take a turn toward the taboo…

Brothers with Benefits: Connor and Brad are brothers who share a secret about what they used to get up to as horny teenagers. Now, home for the holidays, they begin to reminisce about old times…

No Greater Love: Dad and Son are hopelessly attracted to each other. But how to express it? Just wait till Mom goes out of town…

If you click on the picture it will take you to Natty’s purchase page. I hope you enjoy them.

Mums Make Porn

David Heulfryn / / Mums Make Porn

The final episode of Mums Make Porn was broadcast several weeks ago but I’m afraid I was so underwhelmed I couldn’t be arsed to write a post about. Then today I remembered again and thought I’d go looking for the finished film. In the episode Erica Lust agreed to distribute the film, but couldn’t find it on any of her websites, then with a little more searching I finally found it. It is linked from the website of the production company that made the series.

To watch the film I had to be age verified (and also based in the UK). I was surprised how short it was, less than fifteen minutes. All I can say is… it was alright. I didn’t find it particularly erotic and it felt very staged, especially the parts where they say what they want the other to do. I suppose the final result is the same as the TV series… underwhelming and a wasted opportunity.

If you want to see the film, click on the picture below which will take youto the website. And if you do, please leave a comment telling us what you think.

‘My son killed himself after circumcision’

David Heulfryn / / Screeve

This BBC article tells the story of Alex Hardy, who committed suicide 2 years after undergoing a circumcision to cure his phimosis. He went to live in Canada, and while there he consulted a doctor who prescribed a steroid cream to stretch the foreskin. When Alex felt that wasn’t working he was referred to a Urologist who immediately suggested circumcision.

This is where the cultural differences kick in. In the UK we don’t circumcise as quickly or easily as they do elsewhere.

Those non-UK readers need to understand something of the British system. The NHS is publically funded through taxation and is free at the point of need. A consequence of this system is that the UK doesn’t provide any treatment that it considers unnecessary. Hence, the NHS will not circumcise boys on demand. (They also do not routinely perform tonsillectomies.)

I am against circumcision for non medical reasons, but sometimes, those medical reasons are not necessarily valid and depend on whichever culture you live in.
The article really moved me and I felt Alex should have been given more options and more after care, especially for someone so young who’s sexual identity is just as important.