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Mentally ill make music medicine
By Jenny Hudson, Birmingham Post

A professional musician who played alongside David Bowie has set up a unique course to help people overcome mental health problems through music.
Participants spend 12 weeks with Mick Lawson composing songs and recording a CD at the 24-track studio in his home.

Mr Lawson from Erdington, whose stage name is Emmitt Till, decided to get involved after playing a series of charity gigs for BrainStorm, a Birmingham charity dedicated to using the arts to promote mental health.

Participants on the course have experienced a range of serious problems, including nervous breakdowns and schizophrenia.
The devastating impact of schizophrenia is currently under focus in Russell Crowe's new film A Beautiful Mind, in which he plays the brilliant mathematician John Forbes Nash jnr, who suffered the illness.

Those taking part in the course - named A Day in the Life in tribute to John Lennon - do all the work themselves, from composing the songs to designing the cover for the CD.

Mr Lawson, aged 57, said: "I didn't really know that much about mental illness until I started doing some charity gigs. "After meeting the people involved, I realised that there was so much talent, but many of them had lost all their confidence. "I've got recording studio at home so I thought I could put it to good use.

"The course is a unique concept. At first, people thought it would be too stressful for the course to be 12 weeks and it wouldn't hold their attention. But it can take a month before people build up their confidence.
"Music is the greatest therapy there is. I get them to talk about their problems and get ideas going. We try to look at things in a humorous way, like going for an interview for a job you know you're not going to get.
"Everyone plays their part and its so satisfying when it starts coming together."

Mr Lawson, who played at the Star Club in Hamburg weeks after the Beatles completed their famous sessions, toured extensively throughout Europe and America alongside artists such as Arlo Guthrie and Jerry Lee Lewis in top venues such as the Albert Hall and Dublin Stadium.

Participants can continue to develop their musical skills through gigs organised in the city by BrainStorm, which was supported by the late Spike Milligan.
Up to 70 people go along to sessions at the Old Crown in Digbeth each week.

Julian Cleaver, treasurer of BrainStorm said: "Mental illness beats down people's confidence. Everyone has creative ability in there somewhere, but for some it is dampened down by fear, or by medication or loss of confidence.
"The opportunity to take part in the arts in a supportive environment is very important." director at the SoR, said: "We will continue to fight for a safe working environment for members."