In the second part of his (self-) examination of mental health issues in Scotland Loki urges the citizen to take an existentialist approach: heal thyself by looking within. We are responsible; governments don’t or won’t help.
Inequality and mental illness: boxed in
The Scottish Government has given a few extra millions to mental health services but ministers know rising mental health illness is linked to poverty and inequality and do nothing to tackle these. Time for civil society to step up to the plate.
Sober thoughts on sectarianism
The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 is under the microscope; the anti-sectarian charity nilbymouth.org has launched a new #KissBigotryGoodbye campaign aimed at soccer clubs and fans. Here Loki takes a self-eviscerating look at a perennial Scottish issue – and not just on the terraces of Ibrox.
I could murder a bit of good news
The Violence Reduction Unit’s Rapper in Residence celebrates recent headlines claiming Glasgow is no longer Britain’s most violent city. He urges communities to reject the myth that violence is something to be proud of and embrace the city’s new image.
Tunnock’s teagate: patriotic addiction?
Confectionery-maker Tunnock’s has dropped its Scottish lion to promote itself as a British brand south of the border. It’s provoked a storm of ‘patriotic’ protest. But, argues Loki, isn’t the issue about our culture of self-harm and spurious identity politics.
Depression, delusion and disorder
One in four adults suffers from mental health problems in any given year; politicos talk of raising awareness and funding. In this searing personal account – “designed with people who are struggling in mind” – Loki tells it how it is/was for him and how hard to find and deal with the truth about himself.
Don’t shoot the messenger: violence and language
“If you want peace then you have to be prepared to step into the line of fire and fight for it”: Loki the Rapper on his (controversial for him) new role in helping Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit to combat domestic violence, gang culture and knife crime – for starters…
Culture, class and connections in Scotland
Darren McGarvey, aka ‘Loki’, a Glasgow-based hip hop singer/rapper, performer, community activist and writer discusses Scottish culture, how class manifests itself within it and what difference a Yes vote might (not) have made.