Let's talk Mental Health...and Glastonbury.

[PassingCloud]

I'm sure anyone that has been knows that magical force field that seems to contain Glastonbury and allows you to largely forget the outside world. I struggle to imagine feeling unhappy whilst on the farm.

But, I am curious whether people have at a time when they've been struggling with their mental health and what impact being there has had? Maybe it has had a longer term positive impact? Or maybe a week of indulgence was, in retrospect, not such a good idea? Whilst you were there you felt totally free and that in itself was wonderful?

Without going into great detail, have been struggling of late and, although I am feeling quite a bit better than I was weeks ago, I am still finding days a bit of a battle. Was hoping on the final leg toward the festival to be feeling much better. Anyway, my hope is to be there and forget all my problems, have fun galore, and not being waking up feeling like crap! (Except maybe in a hangover type way).

Always like to encourage talk of MH (good to talk, blah blah, etc.), especially as one day I hope to make it my profession (training as a counsellor).

[frostypaw]

Oh I hope you have a good one - my fingers will be crossed you get the relief and joy it's almost always given me. Can offer you stories going both ways.

My first glasto I give credit for mostly swinging my life around. Going from always feeling rather fringe to a whole city sized environment that felt spot on blew my mind and concreted the foundations that let me keep smiling through so much since. For the decades since it was a near-annual reminder of how we can all get along and that we all crave that sense of community and freedom.

Since then I've had two that went the other way. One with a partner, aided by foul weather, determined to vengefully trash it for me when I've never felt so low and alone surrounded by so many in the whole different world of a more positive mindset, and one year where ill health meant every step was a nightmare struggle and I had to go to bed after headliners, just listening to the fun I was missing.

In those low years people did reach out and tried to be supportive. I know I snapped at a couple of them and I still regret that to this day. It was a great kindness and I love them for trying, which only increased my determination to help when I can. 

It can be an extremely tough place when you're struggling so reckon it's always worth reaching out and checking if you see someone in trouble. They might just need someone to sit with, they might even not react so well - but it's all better than truly alone. Very glad to see the chill out spaces added this year, think it's a great initiative and would have used those for sure.

[BambooShanks]

15 minutes ago, PassingCloud said:

But, I am curious whether people have at a time when they've been struggling with their mental health and what impact being there has had? Maybe it has had a longer term positive impact? Or maybe a week of indulgence was, in retrospect, not such a good idea? Whilst you were there you felt totally free and that in itself was wonderful?

What I tell myself whenever I'm going through a depressive episode is a quote  from 24 Hour party people (courtesy of Beothius)

"It's my belief that history is a wheel. "Inconstancy is my very essence," says the wheel. "Rise up on my spokes if you like, but don't complain when you're cast back down into the depths. Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it's also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away."

Like all moods and state of mind, depression will pass in time and while it may feel like your own brain (and brain chemistry) is working against you, you can still overcome it and enjoy yourself.

When this occurs in Glastonbury, it can be tough.  It is supposed to be the happiest place on earth and there's a high expectation for you to have a good time, all the time.

But that's not always the case, and that is ok.  The best thing to do is to not put yourself under any pressure to enjoy yourself and remove that expectation that can drag you down if you let it.  Focus on yourself and your needs.  If you need space / quiet.  Find it.  If you need to talk to someone, talk.  If you feel bad about putting it on your friends, there's people in the healing fields that can help.

I think in years gone past there has been a whatsapp group for people to check in with and reach out if they are in need so we could always do that again.

 

If you take any medication, for gods sake take it. Withdrawal from some SSRIs can be brutal.  if anyone is on antidepressants and are likely to sample some illegal chemicals, please check before hand for interactions between your meds and drugs.  

As for comedowns, I'll refer you to the quote above.  After all, what comes up, must come down.  The important thing to remember that it is only temporary.  Once your brain chemistry gets back to normal, everything will be fine again.

 

 

[PassingCloud]

Thanks, both, for sharing. 

Absolutely agree that everything is constant change (hence the username). 
I’m almost certain my festival will be totally joyous experience and that what comes after will be experienced and dealt with then. But, as FrostyPaw alluded to, I think it will also remind me of the bigger picture. 
 

100% agree on medications and definitely being mindful of any potential harmful interactions. I am not on them myself, though have been in years gone by. Certainly can be helpful, but the side-effects outweigh any benefits. I rely on far less frequent, but also far less legal, but far more effective, medication nowadays! 
Of course, I’m only speaking of my experience and what works for me and would never advise anyone to follow suit. 

The WhatsApp group is a great idea. I know many people go solo and I can imagine it’s a little lonely at times if you’re of an introverted nature.

Feeling very grateful to have the opportunity to go again. Certainly going to imbibe every ounce of goodness emanating from the Glastonbury fields and its inhabitants. 

[raoul_777]

I don't usually contribute much to this forum - I'm a huge lurker (see my post history) - but felt compelled to reply to this post.

At the beginning of 2022, I went through a very painful break-up (fairly mutual - but it was quite ugly in terms of how quickly my ex moved on, etc) - and it really negatively impacted my MH, where I was struggling to understand my human value and contribution to the world (in hindsight, my confidence and self worth were shattered beyond belief, and that wasn't just tied into my break-up) - I wasn't suicidal by any means of the stretch, but I was beyond broken, struggling to leave the house - only leaving the house to go to the gym and seeing my lone friend (I've never had loads and loads of friends).

I had managed to get my Glastonbury tickets before COVID hit - with some friends who I don't see that often, but after this break-up, I was dreading it - as I'd fully become an introvert and it was going to be the first big event I'd been to since then, and the most time away I'd spend away from home since then - I'd really considered giving my ticket back and not going at all - the thought of pretending to be happy and being amongst a big crowd were overwhelming beyond belief.

Being a huge Coldplay fan (blasphemy in these ends, I know) - I always remember when Chris Martin described Glastonbury as the band's "spiritual home" during a press conference the year they played the Super Bowl - and I always thought what an odd statement to make - until I went to Glastonbury 2022 - I don't know what happened there, it was just a surreal experience (baring in mind it was my 6th time) - there were still times I felt overwhelmed and sad (Sam Fender's set being one), but I felt more forgiving for the state of my mental health, whereas previously I was battling myself for feeling that way - I think that's the thing I'm most grateful to Glastonbury 2022 for - shifting my mindset and being kinder to myself and being at peace with myself - peace wasn't something I felt I could gain at that moment in time - so it was a weird feeling at Glasto.

Reflecting the person I am now a year later is quite the contrast (in a non-bragging way) - I was fortune enough to buy my first home, get promoted at work and have generally learnt now to be more comfortable in my own skin - none of this seemed possible a year ago - and going back to OP's question around longer term positive impact - I genuinely believe I have Glastonbury to thank for that - I guess it's my "spiritual home" now too...

[Vidsidasta]

It's also worth noting that the festival has a couple of "Sensory Calm Spaces" on the Vodafone app map - don't recall seeing these in previous years.  They're there for a reason!  Don't be afraid to try them out if you just need a bit of a reset.

As for me... I had a particularly rough year in 2015 and left early, and I'm in similar circumstances this year (but I am NOT leaving early this time!).  I have a tendency of attaching Glastonbury Festival to emotional situations (namely, relationships), and it doesn't matter how perfect the weather is, or how great the lineup is - if I'm not in a happy place going in, that's just something I have to accept, and just make sure I do things I enjoy doing while I'm there (even if that involves doing absolutely nothing for a little while).

I'm treating this year as my final Glasto - for aforementioned emotional reasons, I think it's time for me to move on (and I've found "my people" at Boomtown, but absolutely no disrespect meant to those I go to Glasto with! It's a complicated beast).  So because it's my "final" Glasto, I'm going to make absolutely sure I make the most of it, because that's what I WANT to do.

Also, contrary to popular belief, having family and friends telling me that "you should be happy cos you're going to Glasto" doesn't actually help!  If only it was that easy.  I'm also in the process of changing professions into helping others with these things (started a postgrad in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy), and have a lot of respect for people who have been through similar challenges in life and are now looking to help others.

[mouserat]

Didn't really process it at the time but my first Glastonbury came at the end of a period of living with strangers I didn't get on with, working in a job I disliked, getting by on very little money and feeling like my friends were drifting away from me a bit because their social circle kept expanding and I didn't know any of these new people well enough to feel comfortable with them.

Glastonbury obviously isn't the reason that all turned round, but I think I did probably come home with a slightly different sense of self and felt reconnected to my closest friends as well as having made some new ones.

[Vidsidasta]

6 minutes ago, raoul_777 said:

Being a huge Coldplay fan (blasphemy in these ends, I know)

Oh don't worry, I'm a huge Coldplay fan too...  And I was in bits at times during Glasto 2022 (Kae Tempest, mainly because the camera operator decided to focus on someone important (to me) in the crowd during a particularly personal lyric - and also Sea Girls opening with "Sick", which seemed to describe me perfectly).  I'm making a point to avoid some sets this year, because I just don't feel like crying in public anymore... But I'm sure it'll happen accidentally, somewhere.

[cellar]

I think if you've been before, and you already know how incredible the place can be, you're in "safe hands" so to speak. That's not to say things can't go bad, and I think there's a lot of good advice in this thread that it's useful to keep in mind.

I had a very tough 2015, due to going through a pretty rough time in life, and I got beyond wrecked on the Friday to the point that I barely remember it, and then felt like sh*t for the rest of the festival, somewhat recovering on the Sunday thanks to a very good friend. As difficult as it was, I still came out feeling "lighter," it was very cathartic. So I remember it as my worst festival, but I wouldn't change it because I feel like it helped me take a step in the right direction afterwards. 

So yeah, I'm not necessarily advocating any of that 😅 but the way I see it, there's provably no better place in the world to be sad. I know I had some incredible conversations that year with total strangers that have stuck with me, and will do for the rest of my life, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.

[Quark]

Lots of useful stuff in here from previous ongoing discussions, although obviously no harm in sharing new things or even re-stating old things again in this new thread 🙂

 

And yep, I've had some good times and some not so good times.

While it offers a massive escape from the real world, it's also a time of (depending on your personality and approach) some shifts from massive euphoria to quiet downtime, chemical assistance and all the things that go with those, and sometimes just moment when you find yourself on your own in a bit of downtime and it's absolutely rubbish.

I've gone from having the time of my life to quietly sobbing my eyes out during Katy Perry singing Firework (it was an emotional time, don't @ me 😂) so it can really go from one extreme to another, and that can be rough. But it can also feel f**king fantastic to get it off your chest!

My biggest tips for myself now are to recognise when I need a bit of quiet time (for me it's the Tiny Tea Tent or some time up in the Healing Fields), when I need to scale back the beers, when I need to seek out some friends rather than go see the band I really want to see but would be on my own for, and to not have the weight of expectation on myself to be having the best time.  If I'm fundamentally not in a great place before I leave then chances are that the festival might only be a sticking plaster. 

And that's all FINE.

Tbh I'm pretty stressed with work at the moment, so chances are that'll come out at some point. It might mean that I get absolutely wrecked one night and get it out of my system that way, or that I seek out some quiet time to gradually destress in a slightly healthier way 😄

 

Edited June 12, 2023 by Quark

[Vidsidasta]

Another top tip, from my experience at Glasto 2022 - it turns out, I don't like crowds, and getting stuck in the Park/Arcadia crush (to the point where I couldn't feel the ground beneath me) has just confounded that.  I am certainly still working through PTSD from that experience, but at least I know now that I'm not good with crowds.  And that's fine too.  It means I don't get to see as much as I would have tried to see before, but also means I can plan my time better and (hopefully) have a better time because of it.

It might mean that I'll be stood separately from my group for an act we're all going to see, which does feel a little strange...  But it's better than that feeling of turning around and seeing no way out of a crowd, thus sending me on a spiral and ruining my experience entirely. 

[jamesrfisher]

Without knowing it I have been struggling with MH for a number of years. Came to a very bad head last year. Although I didn't go to Glastonbury i did go to End of the Road 2 months after leaving hospital. I love my festivals and found it a really amazing experience being somewhere like that even though I went by myself. I was 'home'. Looking back over the years I was depressed for a long time but I know my times at Glastonbury have always felt special.

 

At EotR I made sure I knew where the Samaritans tent was. It will be worth doing the same. 

 

What it actually made me do was slow down and just enjoy the experience, if things were going to fast step away, slow down and just take the time to enjoy it. I am really looking forward to Glastonbury this year. The best thing I have learnt this year is it really is good to talk, either to people around you or go to one of the spaces available and talk.

[Vidsidasta]

1 hour ago, jamesrfisher said:

What it actually made me do was slow down and just enjoy the experience, if things were going to fast step away, slow down and just take the time to enjoy it. I am really looking forward to Glastonbury this year. The best thing I have learnt this year is it really is good to talk, either to people around you or go to one of the spaces available and talk.

I seem to be cursed with "resting bitch face" (even in my profile pic, which is about ten years out of date now!), but I'm almost always welcoming to people coming to chat when I'm solo.  I had a mild bit of (positive) local fame this year which has really put my socialising skills to the test, with people coming up to meet me because they saw my face somewhere, so this has really helped my self-esteem in that respect, but I'm still unlikely to approach strangers if I'm on my own - so if anyone sees me out and about, come say hi!  I'm all about the "talking it out" thing, I just struggle to do it myself...

Edit: I updated my profile pic, so feel free to dismiss the "resting bitch face" comment!

Edited June 12, 2023 by Vidsidasta
Profile pic

[Watergirl]

Great thread. 

I am in the Noel Gallagher camp ("It will change your life" - and yes, I know he has been critical of programming in the past but this was his comment last year) and am generally on a high for at least a week afterwards.  Life at the festival is simply friendlier and less ugly than the outside world. If there was a way of bottling that Glastonbury feeling I'd do that.  

I have two more festivals later this summer, so looking forward to those avoids downer feelings, but Glastonbury is definitely special in this regard and the End Of The Road, excellent though it is, does not have the same magic.

[PassingCloud]

5 hours ago, Watergirl said:

Great thread. 

I am in the Noel Gallagher camp ("It will change your life" - and yes, I know he has been critical of programming in the past but this was his comment last year) and am generally on a high for at least a week afterwards.  Life at the festival is simply friendlier and less ugly than the outside world. If there was a way of bottling that Glastonbury feeling I'd do that.  

I have two more festivals later this summer, so looking forward to those avoids downer feelings, but Glastonbury is definitely special in this regard and the End Of The Road, excellent though it is, does not have the same magic.

Also have EOTR booked, taking my son to that one (which lifts a bit of the guilt of not taking him to Glastonbury again), and Tramlines in Sheffield, which isn’t the best but I go with a couple of good friends every year. 
 

Great to read everyone’s honesty on here and sorry don’t have enough ‘likes’ to dole out. 
 

Had an amazing counselling training session this evening and it’s really lifted my mood, and I think I’m starting to feel giddy about next week. Can’t wait!!!

[Quark]

14 hours ago, Vidsidasta said:

I seem to be cursed with "resting bitch face"

Can confirm 😉

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

On 6/12/2023 at 12:40 PM, PassingCloud said:

I'm sure anyone that has been knows that magical force field that seems to contain Glastonbury and allows you to largely forget the outside world. I struggle to imagine feeling unhappy whilst on the farm.

But, I am curious whether people have at a time when they've been struggling with their mental health and what impact being there has had? Maybe it has had a longer term positive impact? Or maybe a week of indulgence was, in retrospect, not such a good idea? Whilst you were there you felt totally free and that in itself was wonderful?

Without going into great detail, have been struggling of late and, although I am feeling quite a bit better than I was weeks ago, I am still finding days a bit of a battle. Was hoping on the final leg toward the festival to be feeling much better. Anyway, my hope is to be there and forget all my problems, have fun galore, and not being waking up feeling like crap! (Except maybe in a hangover type way).

Always like to encourage talk of MH (good to talk, blah blah, etc.), especially as one day I hope to make it my profession (training as a counsellor).

I have ran out of up votes. I would have up voted you for raising this issue. I have only read your post, as I haven't the capacity to read the other posters posts, just at the moment.

I actually made the decision not to go to a Glastonbury Festival one year. I knew that I was f**ked mentally speaking, and that Glasto was the very last place that I should be. I held on to the end though, hoping that my mind would alter. It didn't. So I gave my ticket to a mate, and just told him to give it to someone (ie. for free) trying to get in without a ticket. He did so.

Doing the above was a good thing for me to do - because of my issues at that time. I truly hope that you can get your mind's framework in place, and not only get to the festival, but thoroughly enjoy it too. There are certain areas of the festival that could provide catharsis. Go to them if you have a wobble.

All the best. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PassingCloud]

1 hour ago, Yoghurt on a Stick said:

I have ran out of up votes. I would have up voted you for raising this issue. I have only read your post, as I haven't the capacity to read the other posters posts, just at the moment.

I actually made the decision not to go to a Glastonbury Festival one year. I knew that I was f**ked mentally speaking, and that Glasto was the very last place that I should be. I held on to the end though, hoping that my mind would alter. It didn't. So I gave my ticket to a mate, and just told him to give it to someone (ie. for free) trying to get in without a ticket. He did so.

Doing the above was a good thing for me to do - because of my issues at that time. I truly hope that you can get your mind's framework in place, and not only get to the festival, but thoroughly enjoy it too. There are certain areas of the festival that could provide catharsis. Go to them if you have a wobble.

All the best. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glad you’re in a better headspace now. 
I think there’s no shame in bringing and discussing these topics. Everyone goes through it to some degree  

I’m staring to feel quite positive again and finally getting the full on excitement for next week. Will be in a hotel bar in Bristol one week from now. 😎

[PassingCloud]

On 6/12/2023 at 3:23 PM, Vidsidasta said:

It's also worth noting that the festival has a couple of "Sensory Calm Spaces" on the Vodafone app map - don't recall seeing these in previous years.  They're there for a reason!  Don't be afraid to try them out if you just need a bit of a reset.

As for me... I had a particularly rough year in 2015 and left early, and I'm in similar circumstances this year (but I am NOT leaving early this time!).  I have a tendency of attaching Glastonbury Festival to emotional situations (namely, relationships), and it doesn't matter how perfect the weather is, or how great the lineup is - if I'm not in a happy place going in, that's just something I have to accept, and just make sure I do things I enjoy doing while I'm there (even if that involves doing absolutely nothing for a little while).

I'm treating this year as my final Glasto - for aforementioned emotional reasons, I think it's time for me to move on (and I've found "my people" at Boomtown, but absolutely no disrespect meant to those I go to Glasto with! It's a complicated beast).  So because it's my "final" Glasto, I'm going to make absolutely sure I make the most of it, because that's what I WANT to do.

Also, contrary to popular belief, having family and friends telling me that "you should be happy cos you're going to Glasto" doesn't actually help!  If only it was that easy.  I'm also in the process of changing professions into helping others with these things (started a postgrad in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy), and have a lot of respect for people who have been through similar challenges in life and are now looking to help others.

I’d be very interested to hear about the post-grad. One of the many reasons I am training to be a counsellor is because I’ve got an interest in working with psychedelic therapy (should it ever come to fruition) or working with integration after expanded states of consciousness. 
I have friends working in that space, one of which is an amazing person, doctor and therapist, who’s working on the trials in London. 
Psychedelics have been extremely  important for my health and growth. We have a small group that have become quite adept at sitting for one another. 

[Vidsidasta]

On 6/14/2023 at 4:40 PM, PassingCloud said:

I’d be very interested to hear about the post-grad. One of the many reasons I am training to be a counsellor is because I’ve got an interest in working with psychedelic therapy (should it ever come to fruition) or working with integration after expanded states of consciousness. 
I have friends working in that space, one of which is an amazing person, doctor and therapist, who’s working on the trials in London. 
Psychedelics have been extremely  important for my health and growth. We have a small group that have become quite adept at sitting for one another. 

Are you sure you're not me? 😅 I think we have a lot to talk about!  I got some post-grad credits through Fluence (based in the US), but put that on hold when I learnt about the University of Exeter starting up their own course (which begins Jan 2024 I believe).

Psychedelic therapy absolutely has come to fruition! Just, not here in the UK yet...  One of the many reasons why I am contemplating a move to the States - they just seem to be light years ahead of us when it comes to this field.  We're catching up, of course!  (I'm also signed up to a few upcoming trials, but there's not much happening up here in the north yet)

[PassingCloud]

1 hour ago, Vidsidasta said:

Are you sure you're not me? 😅 I think we have a lot to talk about!  I got some post-grad credits through Fluence (based in the US), but put that on hold when I learnt about the University of Exeter starting up their own course (which begins Jan 2024 I believe).

Psychedelic therapy absolutely has come to fruition! Just, not here in the UK yet...  One of the many reasons why I am contemplating a move to the States - they just seem to be light years ahead of us when it comes to this field.  We're catching up, of course!  (I'm also signed up to a few upcoming trials, but there's not much happening up here in the north yet)

Well you’ll know from your experiences that I am you, and you are also me 😝

Sounds good. Yeah, unbelievably, the US do seem to be way more forward thinking around their drugs policies. Nice of them to force their prohibition on us all those decade ago! This country is pedalling  backward it would seem. 

Have some friends who’ve participated in some of the trials and others that are working on them (oh, I think I already said this). 

🍄🙌

 

[guypjfreak]

Already in panic attack mode.. Horrible and just gets worse.. 

Must remember especially when on site that I'll not be the only one.. You can't SEE inside people's heads but I know I'll not be alone and just to think positive and crack on.. 

It's strange cos you.. I... Worry and get so anxious about glasto.. And other festivals... Then your there and it's over and you look back and think. Why was I so anxious.. Why the panic attacks etc... 

Strange thing mental health.. 

Wishing everyone a happy safe and anxious free festival 

[Crazyfool01]

Really Struggling to get back and face the concept of the real world when people have been so nice over the course of the festival ... maybe brought on by what I do .... just really dont want to face people and customers right now ... I always come away from Glastonbury thinking I should change things but never have a clue how to do it ... ive shut myself away since Monday apart from one trip to get food . 

[O'Doyle Rules]

I think Glastonbury is the most important thing for my mental health other than fishing. The happiness I feel there is pretty unrivaled elsewhere in my life. It isn't even the "partying" like it used to be when I was younger - I think it is simply being with thousands of lovely people (almost what society should be like). 

However, the 1/2 weeks after the festival I must say are probably the most depressed I will go through. I find it really hard to get back into normal life.

 

[O'Doyle Rules]

13 minutes ago, Crazyfool01 said:

Really Struggling to get back and face the concept of the real world when people have been so nice over the course of the festival ... maybe brought on by what I do .... just really dont want to face people and customers right now ... I always come away from Glastonbury thinking I should change things but never have a clue how to do it ... ive shut myself away since Monday apart from one trip to get food . 

Completely the same. The annual google of "permanent jobs at Glastonbury".