A man in crisis. M's Story

we talked it over to find a way forward.

We were painting the walls white in mourning for all the lives lost in the place where we were installing our works, 9 lives have been lost in the Taverners road and surrounding underpasses, we had an international news team that was sending a journalist from Geo and Colours News teams, to cover the art work as during lockdown this was the safest way to create public work to share, as we were all affected deeply by the events regarding the death of George Floyd as well.

We are sharing the story of a man who approached us for help.

This day we are still mourning for the pain and sufferance of centuries. Our white walls like the souls that were lost from both sides of this pointless phenomenon we label racism. In fact this term is like a blanket over the reality of the daily experience of the local community.

We again swept those streets praying for peace., praying for cleansing of this earth from this experience for others in dialogue with our local community (safe social distancing and I just listened and was a psychotherapist)

I had a feeling that people connected with us because of our collective’s creative arts . The pain of some people was expressed to me. Their struggles with life, their dismay at their use of drugs to numb the pain. Feeling lost as the world of help is in lockdown.

Let me tell you the story of one man. Fair skinned, he was wearing well made clothes and new black trainers. He entered from the far end of the tunnel. He was rubbing his face and had an expression of despair, so I said “hello” and carried on painting. He walked towards me and kept a safe distance saying “ Are you the people who made the two hearts here? We have won the lottery for life, I can’t believe what has happened the last few days, I am a paranoid schizophrenic man, my wife usually cares for me” he pauses and he drops his chin right into his chest and starts to take controlled breathing, slowly inhaling and exhaling trying to clear the fear so he could tell me his piece. I see his shoulders drop, I see his tears, I see his helplessness his utter confusion, I know that he will not say anything at this time. Sure enough he looks over at my friend and tries to explain it. He says “we were at home when some men had heard we had recently won £30k for life, they came to our home and stabbed my wife in the throat.” his voice wavers he starts to get incoherent and was pacing to and fro trying to control his emotions so traumatised “my god the blood, I don’t know what to do!” he gasped.

I am on the ground mixing plaster he is standing “You are terrified, scared, I can see you need to talk to someone, Please sit on the edge of my plastic mat and lets talk it through ok?” So he sits a safe distance from me and I say “You say you were attacked two days ago and there is bruising all over your face and an uncovered wound on your temple. You have a home you say, so why are you roaming on the streets today?” he answers “Because I can’t go home, the police say it’s a crime scene, my partner is in intensive care…” he now looks truly distressed, fully mourning “will she be ok?” his eyes begging me to say yes, knowing this would set up false expectations I say the truth instead “It’s not in our hands, she is stabalised at hospital in ICU why don’t you go and see her? “ he responds with mixed emotions first anger and Alex starts to walk towards us “I can’t! I have to pick up my medication every day from the pharmacy and I am due my depot he discusses his meds but says he needs help with it, his partner has a disability and she is usually his carer we’re well off now so this is not about money” he says, he increases his agitation a little and channels his excitation in emotion, through Alex, what should I do? My partner has my keys!” this time he lets his tears fall and we share his space in respectful silence.

I can see strength returning to him, he pacifies, straightens his back, raises his head and asks Alex “ Do you know what I should do?!” his hands palm up he raises his hands up and down. Alex goes into action discovering he has a key worker and several council emergency services, he contacts them, I chat to the man. He explains that tonight he is homeless, until his wife is released from hospital in another town and that he would need to be accompanied by mental health or social services professionals in order to visit her which may occur in a few days. Alex finds his key worker, who is more concerned that it is 5 minutes to 5pm. Alex is on the phone explaining in various ways, explaining the steps that should be taken in emergency homeless situations, representing to her the state that the man is in till she finally agrees to investigate (Alex mouths behind our friend that she won’t help he thought). She asks who’s phone number the conversation took place on Alex explains that it is mine. Her voice sounds confrontational slightly “Hello, who are you people? I tell her I am from Diaspora Arts & Education and the man sought help from us. I am simply helping him get to a safe environment.” her voice turns nonchalant she says “Hmmm it’s very late I don’t think we can do anything to day at this time.” This stunts the conversation at my end as I process the situation. “Now I’m really worried for him, because his wife has been attacked, he is a victim of violent crime, he is trying to hang on with all his heart are you just going to let him sleep on the street in that distress?” Alex rounds up and is about to give her a piece of his mind but I gesture calm and he swallows it.

I take the road of empathy. “He is on the tail end of his depot and and as always, that week before is always difficult he is terrified that he may be driven to suicide, his wife is very ill in hospital he is dependant on her, he is alone, cold and on the streets.” she responds with an angry bluster “ What can I do about it at this time?” she expects me to give up here so I say “In my experience it is protocol to call emergency out of hours and fast track accommodation or find a hostel place for the person, this person is in an emergency and needs help now. Are you not his key worker? Do you not have responsibility for his care coordination?” her voice is shrill aggressive and defensive but she says “I will investigate a hostel and call you back.” in five mins she returns the call stating the man has a place in a hostel and had to present immediately.” Alex starts jumping up and down we’re both ecstatically happy that he is safe. On seeing our little victory dance the man cheers up as we explain he will be safe for the night and to phone the housing options team in the morning.

He thanks Alex, I see a changed man gesturing relaxed cordially thankful and says “ I like the feeling here, this art is really good!” he then searches my eyes staying silent. I realise he is asking me what I think of his state so I respond “ You are feeling a lot better now, you need to get to the hostel” he leans forward nodding then tilting his head sideways in surprise and this time he drops his chin to his chest to hide a full on grin, eyes shine a little he smiles admiringly at Alex and we congratulate him on his success in finding a bed Alex says “Good luck man” He waves at us like he’s leaving dear friends, takes a few steps and turns “This work is really good, keep it up!” we chime together “Yes! We will.”