The Whirring

A study of the use of fiction in the treatment of mental health.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of fiction on those suffering with mental health conditions.

How does it work?

Each participant (Storyteller) is asked to share an event, worry, fear, etc it can be anything that troubles them. The aim is to get to the thinking around the issue, what is the thought process they go through. It’s what I call ‘The Whirring’.

If you do not feel able to write your story, I can help. We can meet in whatever way suits you: Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp wherever you are most comfortable. Should you prefer to make a voice recording, that too is fine. Every story will be made anonymous. Only you will know it is yours. 

Once your story is ready it will be shown to other Storytellers, who will then be asked to feedback about how they felt reading it, and did they see any similarities to themselves.

Here the stories will be available to a broader audience. All Storytellers will get copies of all information, stories, and responses for their own keeping. The final results will be published in a novel format and a dataset.

If you would like to become a Storyteller contact: mathew@thewhirring.co.uk or via the form below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mathew Bridle