Zine-making workshop: Stories of loneliness and substance use

Come and join us for a relaxed, welcoming zine-making workshop and explore your creativity while learning more about mental health. This session is inspired by new research exploring how loneliness affects people with substance use disorders, and what we can do to foster connection and understanding. People with lived experience of mental health will provide support and share their stories during the session.

What’s a zine?
Zines are small, handmade booklets, which combine self-expression, storytelling and social connection.

Why this topic?

Loneliness affects everyone but it can be especially tough for people with mental health conditions, and people who experience problems with substance use (such as alcohol, cannabis and opioids). In this session, Postgraduate Researcher Jonathan Crabtree from King’s College London will share findings from his new research in this area.

What to expect:

• A gentle introduction to zine culture and its roots in self-expression

• Insights from recent research on loneliness, mental health, and substance use

• Creative prompts to help you reflect, respond, and create

• All materials provided, just bring yourself (and a friend, if you like!)

• A supportive, non-judgmental space to share your zine (if you wish) and connect with others

Who is this for?
Everyone is welcome - no experience needed! Whether you’re looking for a creative way to spend an afternoon, curious about zines, or interested in mental health, you’ll find a place here.

Facilitators and Organisers

Jonathan Crabtree is a Postgraduate Researcher who specialises in epidemiological clinical research at the Insitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Artizine is a socially engaged zine project led by East London-based artist Ioana Simion. Rooted in play, participation, and DIY publishing, Ioana creates welcoming spaces for people to explore their creativity and share stories.

Since 2019, Ioana has facilitated workshops with major cultural institutions and grassroots groups alike. Her approach celebrates process over perfection, centering the radical spirit of analog emotion and collective expression. Follow her on Instagram.

Dr Mariana Pinto da Costa is the Champion for Culture, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the NIHR Maudsley BRC, and a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.

ESCR Festival of Social Science

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

NIHR Maudsley BRC

The NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King's College London.

We are researching novel tests, treatments and technologies to understand and treat mental health conditions. Our aim is to accelerate the translation of the latest scientific discoveries into first-in-man clinical trials and other well-designed studies. The findings from these studies can then be developed and implemented to produce new tests and treatments for people with mental and neurological disorders.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/about-us

McPin Foundation

The McPin Foundation is a mental health research charity. We believe research is done best when it involves people with relevant personal experience that relates to the research being carried out. We call this ‘lived experience’ and integrate this into our work.

https://mcpin.org/