Author: McInally-Johnston
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Convicted by Headline: The Fatal Toll of Trial by Media
The cornerstone of the British justice system is a simple, elegant principle: every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. It is a safeguard designed to ensure that liberty and character cannot be stripped away by rumour, malice, or panic. Yet, every day in the United Kingdom, this foundational right…
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The Silent Verdict: Surviving Public Accusation and Legally Enforced Silence
There is a unique, suffocating kind of trauma that occurs when your empathy is turned into a weapon against you. It begins with a gesture of goodwill—stepping up to help a family or an individual in a moment of crisis, offering your time, your stability, or your resources because it feels like the right, human…
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Finding Light in Difficult Times: A Gentle Guide Through Poetry
When life feels heavy, language can sometimes fail us. It becomes harder to explain what we’re going through, and even harder to find something that makes it feel lighter. In those moments, poetry can offer something different — not solutions, but companionship. Poetry doesn’t rush to fix pain. Instead, it slows down with you. It…
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What to Do When Grounding Techniques Don’t Work
Grounding techniques are often recommended as a first-line tool for managing anxiety, panic, dissociation, or emotional overwhelm. They can be incredibly effective — but sometimes, they don’t seem to work at all. That can feel frustrating, confusing, or even scary. The important thing to understand is this: when grounding “fails,” it’s usually not because you’re…
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When Your Mind Won’t Slow Down: Rebuilding Yourself After Prolonged Stress
There comes a point, after a long stretch of stress, where even when things finally quiet down… your mind doesn’t. You might sit in a calm room, with nothing immediately wrong, and still feel on edge.Your thoughts race. Your body feels tight. Rest doesn’t feel restful. It can be confusing. You tell yourself, “It’s over now.…