Poem – Advice for mental health consumers

To be heard by those with power you must
Strip your insights of
100% rage (bury it deep)
90% pain (show them just a taste so 
They can feel proud of their ability to empathise)
Learn their language; use their words (they do not translate, they speak only their own language)
Dress like them (no green hair or tatts on display)
Learn to make them feel comfortable (project warmth, try not to
Flinch when they touch you)
Learn to imitate their casual way of handling power and judgement (vomiting or crying
For private toilets only)
And lastly
Try not to say
Anything they don’t
Want to hear.

I appreciate hearing from you