Peabody: a comic strip about depression and anxiety by Jane Goetzee
Written by admin2 on November 28th, 2008Filed under: Regular Contributors, Jane Goetzee, Themes, The Wandering Agoraphobe, Art Gallery
Peabody
by Jane Goetzee
*All comic strips © Copyright by Jane Goetzee and are for viewing only.
The cartoons may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Jane Goetzee is an artist based in the UK. She holds first and Masters degrees in Fine Art at the University of Staffordshire and has worked for many years as a community artist. She writes poetry, makes short films and soundscapes, most of which focus on issues of identity, stereotyping, and representation. As a Person who has Experienced Anxiety and Bouts Of Depression for Years (Peabody), Jane uses cartooning to cast a less stigmatizing light on issues of mental distress. She also works part-time as a disability adviser and runs a support scheme for families with disabled children. She is closely involved with the Journal of Literary Disability as copy-editor and keen advocate. She is currently planning a research project that will explore the topic of arts in health from a disability studies perspective.
2
PM
I have worked as a counselor for an elementary school and I see youngsters with depression and try to aid them through any issue that’s making their lives strained. I am a firm believer that in some cases, these children use depression as a reason for not being productive in any given circumstance. Depression only wants to deal with the negativity around oneself when the psyche of one should learn to accept what is, shake it off and learn to keep different facets of one personality more leveled off. This way they won’t use it as a crutch, but more of an outlet to sort out unwanted feelings, deal with them, and seek out resolutions from others when he/she is unable to cope with it oneself. I think the cartoon tells quite a bit not only with children but to adults who have had something traumatic happen in their lives to the extent that they hide behind this affliction. I truly believe that we all have a portion of our philosophy that protects oneself by going through such lengths.
3
AM
your comic strips are fab jane! keep ‘em coming!