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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Lisa Rand

Unhappy Remainers invited to a 'sad leavers do' wearing European fancy dress

Unhappy Remainers are invited to a Sad Leavers Do to celebrate Europe ahead of Brexit.

Anyone is invited to attend the event at the Florrie, in Toxteth, and are asked to wear Europe-inspired fancy dress.

The 'do' will take place on October 31, the date Britain is due to leave the European Union - and will launch an exhibition exploring the mental health cost of Brexit.

Liverpool-based artist Alan Murray's painting consider the impact the 'trauma' of the current political situation is having on us all.

He said: "It's about our collective mental health and how Brexit and its trauma has and will affect us all - with nods to people's personal battles with mental health.

'Raid the Foodbank Train' by Alan Murray, whose exhibition launch Sad Leaver's Do coincides with the latest Brexit date (Alan Murray)

"Most men feel awkward mentioning mental health and exposing feelings. The work has two narratives - one of the impact of Brexit and austerity but also the rising levels of male suicide.

"The world we live in now is fractious - losing friends and allies is not a way forward I feel. Brexit has divided families, friends and above all removed the connection between the state and its people - if there ever was one."

The Centre for Mental Health recently released a report about the mental health impact of Brexit, which stated: "The challenge of looking at what brexit or no-deal brexit will improve for people with mental health difficulties is that this is entirely contingent on events.

"People with mental health difficulties have already been hurt by changes to eligibility for social security benefits, punitive sanctions regimes, cuts to local services, low wages and long waiting times for support and treatment.

"There has been no mental health impact assessment for brexit.

"It is not clear what the eventual effect of brexit will be. What is clear is that the UK has changed path irrevocably. There is no return to 'before the referendum' or to 'before austerity'. What we are seeing now is 'the new normal'.

Alan's exhibition at the Florrie looks at mental health, brexit and the effects of austerity (Alan Murray)

"There is the effect of brexit on the country and then there is the effect of the country that brexit itself creates."

The Mental Health Foundation has released a factsheet with tips on how to deal with 'Brexit Anxiety' - such is the level of concern among some mental health practitioners.

The uncertainty is described by numerous mental health charities as being a source of anxiety to many - whichever side of the Brexit debate people sit on.

Alan hopes the exhibition will bring attention to a subject seldom discussed and to raise awareness of the community work carried out at the Florrie.

Alan said: "The Florrie is a beacon of light in dark times - the programmes from food bank support, community outreach and community events are run on a shoestring and are under constant attack from cuts." 

Alan Murray's exhibition Sad Leaver's Do will be launched at the Florrie from 6pm on October 31

More information can be found at The Florrie .

   
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