Mental health patients being taught magic tricks to boost self-esteem. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIw1aCqmjY
“So I thought why not try it with people with mental health problems. I saw how doing simple tricks can improve self-confidence and esteem if they do them for nurses and other patients. I did a magic workshop at a conference and people loved it.”
The trust is now advertising for volunteer magicians to entertain patients teaching simple tricks with coins, silks, and cards.
Mr McClurey is working with local conjuror Neil Armstrong, from the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians.
He said: “We have seen some amazing results. A man with autism has really excelled at card tricks. He could not say his own name ten months ago. He now does card tricks for doctors.”
“It is about teaching them to do something others can’t which boosts the self-esteem of people who think they are not worth anything. It is amazing to see.”