What are zines and distros?

Zines, a derivative of the word magazine, are independently and self-published works that are distributed freely and without censorship. A distro carries and sells these works.

Why mental health?

We choose to distribute zines about mental health because we want people who are struggling to realize that they are not alone. For those who are going through personal hardships, zines are a good medium to help you connect and heal. If you know someone who is struggling, reading these works can help you understand and help.

Everyone has problems with their mental health at some point in their lives, yet we live in a society that places stigma on the issue and rarely discusses it freely. We would not be able to properly care for ourselves and our loved ones if we didn't truly understand the subject and feel comfortable about it - that's what we're trying to do here. Our goal is to connect people to the resources that they need, encourage people to make their well-being a priority, and remind them that they are never alone.

How did it all start?

Fluxxii was created in the summer of 2009 and started off as an online consignment shop for indie artists and writers. After realizing the need for the public to be able to access alternative resources to mental health, it became a distro for mental health zines as well as a space for artists to sell their handmade goods. We are continuously working to provide resources to the public and reach as many people as possible.

The site is owned and operated by Ollie, a student and web designer living in Northeast Ohio. I decided to start Fluxxii in the midst of a very rough period of my life. I had always grown up with an awareness of other people's feelings and their mental health. I consider myself extremely lucky to have family and friends who were involved with mental health work and got me involved in doing such work as myself. I made Fluxxii to combine a ton of my interests and favorite things - web design, getting crafty, and mental health! My goal is to help us all feel more connected and realize that we're never alone. I hope you feel that way too!