> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mental Health and the Historic Environment - URL: https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/resources-for-mental-health/ - Published: 2023-02-04T13:02:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-07-09T06:01:21.000Z - Description: You are not on your own, and I list the posts below as much as to share my experiences rather than as a panacea. We're all in this together, especially in these uncertain times. - Author: Andy Marshall - Tags: mental health ## "For those moments, something miraculous had happened. During the action required to take a photograph, I had let go of my anxious self. From that day onwards, the veil of depression lifted." ### Singular Point of Light ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/02/original-136.jpg) ### I've often written about how I came to be an architectural photographer. **In my draft book "**[**A Singular Point of Light**](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/a-singular-point-of-light/)**", I document how I found a way forward from a breakdown through photography and architecture. Writing this book has helped me explore my journey through recovery from depression and breakdown.** From my own experience I know that sometimes it helps to read others' stories. For over twenty years I've been seeking out alternative stories in our surviving material culture and [sharing them](https://twitter.com/fotofacade?ref=digest.andymarshall.co) with my [photographs and words](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/tag/genius-loci-digest/). It took a [difficult period in my life](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/the-first-camera/) to find a pathway through photography that helped me discover genius loci -the spirit of place and the deeply moving stories behind the 'so-called' mundane material culture on our doorstep. What I had to do was find and explore new ways of seeing. Once I did, I never felt alone. Cultivating alternative ways of experiencing the world has completely changed my life; it helped me overcome anxiety and depression, opened up a world of possibility and led me to a new career in photography. One of the most heart-warming responses I've had to the Genius Loci Digest is: *"I love seeing the world through your eyes".* **The overall aims behind this Digest is how, through my lens, I can help others garner new ways of seeing and feel the benefit in their own lives.** --- ## "What I had to do was find and explore new ways of seeing. " --- ⚠️ Disclaimer: This does not constitute mental health advice. I'm sharing my own experience. You are not on your own, and I list the posts below as much as to share my experiences rather than as a panacea. We're all in this together, especially in these uncertain times. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/02/IMG_4680-1.jpeg) 📸 with thanks to Steve Tomlin Some of the posts below are for members only - but I have a limited number of (anonymous) free memberships available. Contact me [here](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/contact-me/) with your details. ## Posts ## Available to all I will add more resources as time goes by. Click on the links below to see the content. [From Breakdown to New Vocation: My Genius Loci Digest JourneyIn the late 1990’s I had a breakdown that ultimately led me, through a journey that took me away from depression, to a new career in photography. But what was the spark that ignited my journey?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/Andy.png)Andy Marshall's Genius Loci DigestAndy Marshall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2022/12/chelfie_baglans-1-2.jpg)](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/my-genius-loci-digest-journey/) In this digest I talk about ways of seeing, photography and mental health. [Andy Marshall’s Genius Loci Digest 14 Oct 2022It’s all about the detail.The Counting House in Wirksworth, Derbyshire is articulated by its delightfully asymmetrical roof: a lead covered ogee Gothik style dormer on a lean to roof covered in hand made plain tiles. The abutments are waterproofed in stepped lead flashing and soakers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/Andy.png)Andy Marshall's Genius Loci DigestAndy Marshall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/revue/issue_images/images/000/620/380/original/issue_image_1385489.jpg)](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/andy-marshall-s-genius-loci-digest-14-oct-2022/) The First Camera is a publicly available snippet from my draft book. A gentle warning that there are themes of depression and suicide discussed in this excerpt. So it might not be for you at this moment. Ultimately the excerpt leads to a positive resolution and finds answers in photography, light and architecture. [The First CameraFor those moments, something miraculous had happened. During the action required to take a photograph, I had let go of my anxious self. From that day onwards, the veil of depression lifted. Photographing the priory had released me from my mental prison.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/Andy.png)Andy Marshall's Genius Loci DigestAndy Marshall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/01/1-eFBmdhn5pjLqglOU7qhj1g-2.jpeg)](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/the-first-camera/) ## From Others Exploring wellbeing and the historic environment. [Wellbeing and Heritage Case Studies | Historic EnglandA selection of case studies showing how heritage can improve wellbeing.![](https://historicengland.org.uk/public/src/favicons/icon-hires.png)Historic England logo with link to home page![](https://historicengland.org.uk/media/16764/exeter_welbeing_web.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&quality=90&width=1000&height=500&upscale=true&rnd=132767145552230000)](https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/social-and-economic-research/wellbeing/wellbeing-and-heritage-case-studies/?ref=digest.andymarshall.co) --- ## Members Only What made all the grit of the dark days worthwhile was that I was left with something that felt like a pearl - a new way of seeing and interacting with things - more sensual, emotive and visual. A host of posts to help you explore different ways of seeing and experiencing our world. [ways of seeing - Andy Marshall’s Genius Loci DigestIn the late 1990’s I had a breakdown that ultimately led me, through a journey that took me away from depression, to a new career in photography. What made all the grit of the dark days worthwhile was that I was left with something that felt like a pearl - a new way of seeing and interacting with th…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/12/Andy.png)Andy Marshall's Genius Loci DigestAndy Marshall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/01/2140300299_0e396c02f1_o.JPG)](https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/tag/ways-of-seeing-2/) ## We're all in this together