We are full of worlds that can't be contained by a pill. MAD Poetry is an initiative that focuses on creating a safe writing space for emerging voices with a lived/living experience of mental health issues to express how they see the world, where these poets can define themselves through their creativity not their diagnosis, and explore by pen and page their experience of illness, institutions, inner worlds, recovery, self-care, and beyond.

Our online workshop series returns in 2024 led by five facilitators who are all practising poets and have their own lived mental ill-health experience (as well as being some of our leading mental health peer workers, advocates, writers and editors in this space.)

Note: Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all 5 x workshops across October. These poetry workshops are designed for anyone who identifies as having lived experience mental health issues/illness and/or have been a mental health consumer.

Proudly presented in partnership with Wellways.

Details

Date: Tuesday 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 October
Time: 630–8pm AEST weekly (duration 90 minutes)
Lead Poets: Adrian Mouhajer, Jonathan Dunk, Arlea Whelan, Pooja Mittal Biswas, Brooke Scobie
Host: David Stavanger (MAD Poetry Producer)
Free to attend
Bookings: Essential (places limited)
Anyone who identifies as having lived experience mental health issues/illness and/or have been a mental health consumer are very welcome to attend

How to access the workshop

The workshop will be held live online via Zoom. You'll receive the workshop access link to your email inbox the day prior to the event.

About our lead facilitators

Adrian Mouhajer is a queer non-binary Lebanese-Australian writer and editor from Western Sydney. Their work centers on spirituality, desire, love, grief, and understanding. Their work has been widely performed and read, and they edited the anthology, Stories Out West, which centers LGBTIQ+ First Nations and CALD writers with a connection to Western Sydney.

Jonathan Dunk is the co-editor of Overland literary journal, and the recipient of the AD Hope prize and the Dal Stivens award.

Pooja Mittal Biswas is the author of ten books. Her latest book is The Maker of Garlands (Vagabond Press, 2024), and her previous book, Hunger and Predation (Cordite Books, 2023), was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier's Literary Awards.

Arlea Whelan is a poet and playwright who creates on Dharawal Land. A passionate mental health advocate, she has worked facilitating workshops for high school students from diverse backgrounds. Arlea has authored an array of poetry and playscripts, published by Upswell Publishing, Story Factory, Lane Cove Literary Awards, among others. She is currently writing her second poetry chapbook. When not wearing her writerly hat, Arlea enjoys painting, being a sister, and reading the bible.

Brooke Scobie is a queer Goorie woman, single mum, emerging writer, and community worker. She was born and bred on Bidjigal country in South West Sydney and now lives on Darkinjung land. In her writing, Brooke is most passionate about telling stories that centre identity, love and family using the imagery of Country.

Workshop FAQs

Do I need to turn my video on?

We'd love to see your faces to make this a more interactive session. However, you are more than welcome to turn off your video if you prefer!

Will my microphone be on?

Your microphone will be muted on first joining the workshop, but will be then turned on once everyone has arrived (plus you can use the live chat feature to communicate with the poets and the other participants during the session.)

Troubleshooting

If you have any issues accessing the workshop, please make sure you have joined via the link provided to your inbox on the day. If you have any further problems, please contact David at david@redroompoetry.org and he will do his best to assist.

Recording

Please note that due to the nature of this workshop and in the best interests of both the facilitators and participants these workshops will not be recorded.

Self care

This is a writing workshop only. There will be no pressure or expectation for people to disclose or share anything about their lived experience during the workshops. You don't have to share what you write during the sessions and can also turn your camera off for the duration if it feels more comfortable/safe for you.

The aim of this project is to share lived experiences of mental health via poetry. Therefore, some of the workshop content may potentially trigger some readers. If you require mental health support or assistance, you can call the Wellways Helpline plus a list of free confidential 24/7 support lines can be found here. You are not alone in your journey.

Discover more

MAD Poetry

This workshop is presented by Red Room Poetry with support from Wellways.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We offer our respects to their cultures and Elders past, present and future.