OT24: Preview

The twenty-fourth edition of the OT will be launched this Saturday with an event at Housmans Bookshop. Following some thoughts from a few of the issue’s contributors, the majority of the evening will take the form of an open discussion of the themes raised within OT24 or by those attending the event.

The primary focus of the issue is an examination of mental health and madness; its relevance within contemporary society and its centrality within multiple struggles against the oppression of the state and capitalism. As the RAD BRAINS collective from Oakland outline in their article for the paper, there are measures that we can all take to create mutually supportive, non-hierarchical spaces and ways of being. The prevalence of mental suffering throughout society, and the indelible link between that suffering and wider social & economic forces, means it should be a prominent consideration for any group, collective, campaign or social movement.

Articles featured in the issue include Arran James’ critique of the constant focus on and co-optation of the concept of “stigma” and Joanna Moncrieff’s centre-spread article on the ideology of mental illness, titled “The Psychological is Political”. Matilda MacAttram, director of the campaigning organisation Black Mental Health UK, has written a piece addressing the scandalous institutional racism of the mental health system. An article by Mark Fisher under the heading “Good For Nothing” outlines a personal account of depression and a broader examination of the “collective depression” imposed by the ruling class. Off-theme content in the issue includes an article by Mihalis Mentinis exploring the revolutionary psychology behind the Zapatista insurrection in Mexico.

Our regular infographic feature this issue offers guidance (kindly provided by the Anti Raids Network) for those attempting to resist the intrusive and violent practices of UK immigration enforcement. It details how to spot the signs of an immigration raid and what to do to help people who might find themselves caught on the receiving end of one. Downloadable high resolution versions will be found on our website.

Once again, our inside back cover hosts a full page comic lifting from the main theme of the issue, this time by the Serbian artist Djordje Balmazovic. The front cover has been designed by Modes of Criticism

Copies of OT24 will be distributed at events and within communities throughout the next two months. You can also find us on the shelves of various outlets across the capital, including Housmans, Black Gull Books, Ray’s Jazz Cafe, Banner Repeater, 56a,Freedom Bookshop and the London Review Bookshop. The full list of stockists can be found on the OT Stockists Map on our website.

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