Peter@huggingbarbedwire.com

“Hugging Barbed Wire” was written by Owen (16) about his brother Ross becoming psychotic at 20. Hugging barbed wire was also how it felt to be a parent, desperately hanging onto your son throughout a 3 year psychotic sentence.

A lot went wrong, and I really wish I’d known then what I know now. This is my displacement activity, to get something positive out of the experience, an experience that has included a remarkable reaction from people to whom I have told parts of the story in public. Hence this. We can change the way society thinks -  I’ve seen a theatre full of mental health professionals brought to the verge of tears listening to the music....

Frankly, if you’re going to be mentally ill, make sure it’s something sexy like “Fry’s Syndrome”, advertised on TV as a sign of creativity and intelligence with dark and interesting interludes, (being slightly BP is fine -  unless you’re in oil). Don’t, in a moment of madness, opt for other forms of psychosis or schizophrenia.....                                             Peter Wilson

...but now

We perform anti-stigma Hugging Barbed Wire shows in schools; Ross and Owen have a rock band; he teaches guitar for the mental health services and a youth club, am-dram and a stand-up comedy course; I give presentations and we also perform at various mental health conferences...                       Read more

Because...

-  Stigma and ignorance has cost Ross 3+ years of his life.

-  Implementing the Mental Health Act in a way that stops professionals    helping intelligent young people is intellectually and morally reprehensible.

-  Our two sons write songs with the power to rearrange your head and, that    could, perhaps, help to promote the changes that are necessary.

  Listen to the music

Anti-Stigma

Schools

Events

Conferences

Companies

Find out more

The Site and Material - please contact us...

This site includes unique material (some of it harrowing) that we’ve recorded and developed along the journey to here. We’d like to put it to as much good use as possible.

Please contact us if you’d like access to any of the site material, to discuss projects where we may be able to help - or if you can help us get the music and material out there....

Previously, Ross....

...recorded an album; joined a cult; destitute in  New York; killed his guitar; arrested; forcibly sectioned; escaped; forcibly sectioned; hospitalised; depression; suicidal...  Read more

Hugging Barbed Wire

Owen Wilson (then 16)

View lyrics

The Story and Book

marijuana and veganism bureaucratic convenience

people who quietly care

BBC interview forcing the   NHS to do right by Ross...

Read more

See how Hugging Barbed Wire went @ the Brighton Fringe

A Living Memorial to Grandad...

Owen’s song and video say it all. View Aeternam Memoria