This Week I am Reading ... Ms Julia Disney

Ms Julia Disney is our Class 8 Guardian at Elmfield as well as teaching Music across the school. Julia shares her review of Lost Connections by Johann Hari below

In a time where ‘isolation’ has become an everyday word to use, this book feels even more poignant to read. It delves deep into the complex and ever growing world of depression and anxiety. Through the eyes of the author, it takes the reader on a journey of reflection, research, and discovery. It breaks down the concept that depression is mainly a chemical imbalance within the brain. The author not only offers theories as to why depression seems to be a growing problem in our society, he also offers thoughtful and clear advice as to how to begin to reconnect in a meaningful way that helps sustain a feeling of wellbeing.

 The book is full of short stories that give context to the vast studies that have been undertaken in this field. One story in the book has really stayed with me: A story that was told to a psychiatrist when he spoke to some local people in Cambodia about profound sadness…

 A Cambodian rice farmer stood on a land mine and he lost his left leg. Although he was fitted with an artificial leg, he was no longer able to work as a rice farmer anymore and he became profoundly sad and anxious about his future. When the community and his doctor noticed his despair, they all gathered around the man, and talked to him about his life and his troubles. This inspired an idea to help the man: His community bought him a cow so he could become a dairy farmer instead. This way, he wouldn’t have to be in as much physical pain, and he wouldn’t have to constantly face disturbing memories. The man’s life changed from this point and his profound depression gradually disappeared.

Interestingly, in Cambodia there isn’t an obvious translation for the word ‘depression’. It seems that if someone is sad or anxious, the community work together to empower the person to change their life, hence alleviating the anxiety. Community is a word that rings out loud and clear in this book. Sharing things that matter, with others, seems to be key in the prevention of loneliness. There is so much in the media that suggests that we must help ourselves; that we must go on a journey of self-development in order to feel well. We are constantly fed the idea that we should be able to look after ourselves, without the input or need of others. Yet humans, since the beginning of mankind have survived through working together as a group and being part of a tribe. People would want to co-operate to stay within the tribe. Community has kept us alive and now we are living in a time where, in order to help fight this pandemic of poor mental health, we must fight to keep a sense of community alive. This leads me to reflect on the festivals we share together at Elmfield School and the importance of these meaningful moments where we gather as a school or in smaller groups. Through the struggles of the past couple of years, the essence of those festivals has stayed with us and will help to bring our community together once again.

This is the kind of book that I will need to read, and re-read, and dip in and out of, to fully digest the content. There is so much more to it and so many ideas I haven’t even begun to share with you. I absolutely recommend it for anyone to read, regardless of whether one is suffering from depression. It is a book about disconnection and reconnection. And right now, it feels to me like it would resonate with everyone.