Deciding To Live

From "This I Believe" on NPR: Transcript and Podcast

Kij Johnson's Web Site

I believe I am a climber.

Three years ago, a series of medical and personal crises took what was a clinical depression and made it something much darker.

I
thought of it as falling — as jumping — off a bridge on a rainy winter
day: three seconds in the air before I hit the water and plunged deep
into the icy cold, my heavy coat pulling me deeper. And the surface far
overhead — too far away.

This is the question that kept me from
making the image a real one. What if I changed my mind? Jumping into
the water, the air in my lungs would fail me before I could swim back
to the living world. I would know for those last seconds that I did
want to live after all, but it would be too late.

I'm not sure why I started climbing.

NLCMH Staff are Great!

Full article

Late last week I sat in on a meeting with about a dozen or so staff
who mostly work with adults with mental illness as they discussed the
paperwork requirements of their jobs. I was shocked at the RECOVERY
movement that was happening in that room! With just a few words being
said, it was very noticeable that RECOVERY was happening all around.

Staff wanted to reduce paperwork so they could spend more time
helping the folks they see. Although I’ve always known that paperwork
is an important part of the mental health system, today was actually
the first time I heard a staff member say they were upset about the
time that paperwork takes away from helping the folks they serve. They
of course expressed that they appreciated that paperwork is needed in
order to meet the state and federal requirements and we need to
document things we do and the services we provide so that funds
continue to be available to serve the community members in the future.
But it was great to hear how the staff at Northern Lakes really care
about people and in my opinion, really have a deep understanding and
appreciation of the power of recovery. I LOVE IT!

Recovery keeps coming alive in all areas in my life. Like the NLCMH recovery definition says:

Recovery is a personal journey of hope, purpose and
growth. It is the process of setting our own directions in life. We
accept the responsibilities of meeting challenges, using our own
abilities, strengths and determination.

I hope that by personally meeting the challenges in my life, using
my own strengths, becoming not only a peer support specialist but the
NLCMH Recovery Coordinator, that I can play a little part in spreading
the spirit of what that staff member said. I’ve come a LONG way since I
was first diagnosed because of staff like this one. Keep up the great
work, Northern Lakes!

Post-traumatic stress disorder- Can happen to anyone

Full Article

Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as the development of characteristic
symptoms following a psychologically distressing event that is ‘outside
the range of usual human experience’. This includes torture, sudden
destruction of one’s home or community, threat or harm to close
relatives and friends, and so on.

Common symptoms include
re-experiencing the event, for example in nightmares and flashbacks,
avoidance of things associated with the trauma, which can trigger
severe anxiety and sometimes physical panic responses, sleep
disturbance and poor concentration. All these are essentially normal
reactions to abnormal events. However, where survivors develop severe,
extreme or long-term mental health problems that seriously hamper their
ability to live normally, a diagnosis of PTSD may be helpful in terms
of opening doors to help and support from the health service.

Treatment
The
most effective therapeutic approach for long-term, severe PTSD appears
to be a series of talking treatment sessions with a clinical
psychologist, in which the person with PTSD is encouraged to talk
through their experiences in detail. This may involve behavioural or
cognitive therapeutic approaches.

Nine out of Ten people with mental health problems are prisoners of stigma - shocking new research

Full article

Millions
of people with mental illness are unable to do everyday things like
going to the shops, making new friends or applying for jobs,
groundbreaking research reveals. The pioneering survey of more than
3,000 people with mental health problems clearly reveals that this
includes people you expect to love you unconditionally, your
family, (36%), closely followed by employers (35%), neighbours (31%)
and friends (25%).

At the other end of the discriminators’ league
table, children (5%), teachers (8%), shopkeepers (10%), and public
transport workers (10%) are revealed as the groups who are most
accepting of people with mental health problems (for the full league
table see notes to editors below).

The findings, which will shape a high-profile £18 million mental health anti-stigma campaign, reveal that:

· Nearly nine out of 10 people with mental health problems have been affected by stigma and discrimination, with two thirds saying they have stopped doing things because of the stigma they face.

· Stigma stops people with mental health problems from doing everyday things
such as applying for jobs, making new friends, and going out to pubs
and shops. It can even prevent people from reporting a crime.

· People with mental health problems want the anti-stigma campaign to target schools and the media to change attitudes and reduce prejudice.

· Carers of people with mental health problems also stop doing things because of the stigma and discrimination that they face.

Paul Corry, Rethink’s director of public affairs, says: "Our
research clearly shows that stigma and discrimination are ruining
people’s lives. People with mental health problems have enough on their
plates without facing additional pressure caused by other people’s
archaic and bigoted opinions.

"The Moving People anti-stigma campaign will lay firm
foundations for ending mental health discrimination in the UK, but long
term it is essential that the government ploughs hefty resources into
tackling the problem, as has been done in Scotland and New Zealand. As
an employer, the government could also lead by example and employ more
people with mental health problems within its departments, and
encourage other public sector bodies to do the same."

Arts and Recovery

from Gerald Butler

8/26/2008

The greatest advantage I have gained from my experience with the Recovery
Band is that I am now positive that the arts play a vital role in the
recovery process. Whenever I was institutionalized they would
have us work on some sort activity that entailed creativity, and now
I know why. Artwork, music, poetry, acting, writing, etc. are vehicles
for us to tell our story. By telling our story we not only let others
see that recovery is possible, but the arts also provide us an opportunity
for self- examination and reflection. Many of us were born artists and
then became ill and the arts provide a way of recovering our basic nature
and self-esteem.

The Federal Government also realizes that the arts benefit recovery
as demonstrated by the August 7^th meeting in Maryland featuring
‘Artists in Recovery of Philadelphia. The members of the Recovery
Band can attest to the positive effects music has had on our own recovery
and that of those who have worked with us. The band is based on Peer
Support and our music is a demonstration of how well it works. The first
time in my life I was ever around a group of people who loved me for
being me was during the first Peer Support training. This has been of
such value to me, that I would be remiss if I did not share it. The
best way for me to pass the message is musically. For others it may
be their poetry, art, stories, etc.

Thanks to Southwest Solutions, and Shirley Cockrell (Director/
Go-Getters), we soon will
have a program dedicated to mental health recovery and the arts. The
Center of Recovery & the Arts will provide a recovery enhanced environment
centered on creativity, support, and growth. Being a consumer herself,
Shirley has always put us first and foremost so we are guan teed the
support we will need. So far, all the leaders and staff I have met at
Southwest seem to have made some sort of personal commitment to making
our lives a little better. So I guess this center is a natural outgrowth
of that commitment, the Recovery Band is just glad to be a part of this
adventure.

If you are a piano player start practicing, if you’re a singer start
hitting scales, writers should start honing your skills, artists should
be cleaning their brushes, poets need to take your work off the shelf.
The Recovery Enhanced Environment provides an atmosphere where folks
feel comfortable enough to simply be who they really are. Utilizing
Peer Support has worked like a charm for the band, and now we have an
opportunity to pass on to others what was given to us, HOPE. We do not
have an opening day yet, but will let you know soon.

Center for
Recovery & the Arts

Open
mike performances, studio for art and music, peer support, Art exhibits,,
jam sessions, poetry/ journal, stories. Services Housing referrals,
treatment referrals, mental health/substance abuse information.

Online Petition to Stop the Psychiatric Drug Crisis in the US Military

Bring this emergency to the attention of Barack Obama and John

McCain! Sign the petiton at:



http://www.mindfreedom.org/petition



In the United States military, psychiatric drugs are the

overwhelmingly dominant -- and often the only -- form of treatment

offered to soldiers in crisis.



MindFreedom is currently hosting a petition to introduce this very

important issue to both major US presidential candidates.



Help MFI promote alternatives in mental health by signing the

petition on our website.



When complete, the petition will be delivered to the candidates of

both major U.S. parties.



NOTE: Those signing this petition may click a button to receive a

free sample MindFreedom Journal, so if you want a sample you just

need to fill out this one convenient form.



Please sign the petition now at:



http://www.mindfreedom.org/petition

Whole Health Campaign

The website for this Recovery Caucus effort at the DNC-

Lots of stuff already on the website from early activities:

Magic in these rooms…

August 26th, 2008 · No Comments

Author: Carol McDaid, Faces & Voices of Recovery Board Chair

Monday, August 25, 2008

The Whole Health Campaign, in conjunction with Faces & Voices of Recovery, NAMI Colorado, Advocates for Recovery Colorado, Caron Treatment Centers, the Betty Ford Center, NAADAC, the American Society for Addiction Medicine, Mental Health America, the National Council, and the Denver office of Drug strategies launched the first historic “Recovery Caucus” at a political convention today.

After the initial excitement and flurry, it finally occured to me when I heard Colorado Speaker of the House of Representatives Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island both
speak so passionately about recovery what I was actually in the midst
of. The realization of the recovery community becoming a constituency
of consequence.

I looked around at the beautiful 1600 square foot room with all the
amenities we have, and realized the recovery caucus with our 50
attendees had more participants than some of the other caucuses at the
convention. This proves that we had seen fit to afford us with all of
the trappings and more of other convention caucuses.

When it came time for me to go over the recovery friendly platform
provisions, I was overwhelmed with the posibilities, that just may be
our advocacy efforts might be coming together, almost being too scared
to believe it could be true.

Later on this afternoon, the real importance of having recovery
rooms at the convention was evidenced when a young man with 27 days of
recovery showed up in the room needing a meeting. When he shared we
all knew that regardless of whether you have 27 days clean, 5 years
sober, or ten years clean , we were all there for the same reason.

Recovery resources at the convention this week.

August 24th, 2008 · No Comments

Author: Aaron Kucharski is the Recovery Voices Count Field Organizer for Faces & Voices of Recovery.

Sunday, August 24th, 2008

As a person in long term recovery, someone who has not used
alcohol or drugs since September 6th 2003, I am grateful for the
opportunity to be part of something that is truly a magnificent first
for Political Conventions. This year, the conventions are the most
recovery friendly conventions ever, as faces of recovery will be seen,
and voices of recovery will be heard.

As thousands of people travel to Denver and Minniapolis for
the National Conventions, the environment can be intimidating to
someone in recovery. This year, for the first time recovery resources
will be made available to anyone who needs them. A space this week has
been made availablein Denver (Room 405 in the Colorado Convention
Center). Just to name a few resources that will be made available
include recovery fellowship, refreshments, and daily mutual support
meetings that will be held Monday August 25th-Thursday August 28th.

The strength of a growing recovery community is showing what it is capable of. We do matter and we will be heard!

Recovery and Lodge Program Workshop

See bottom of post for registration and contact information

Agenda
September 16, 2008
8:30—4:00 p.m.
Michigamme Room
Kellogg Center
East Lansing, MI
8:30—9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 to 9:15 a.m. Introduction: The Community Lodge:
An Early Program Funded by the
National Institute for Mental Health
Research. Esther Onaga
9:20—10:15 a.m. Supporting Employment: Reinventing
to Increase Employment
Opportunities. John Trepp
10:20—11:15 a.m. Pennsylvania’s State‐Wide Lodge
Dissemination. Ed Dawson and Kim
Stucke
11:15—11:30 a.m. Break
11:30—12:15 p.m. Development of the Lodge Society in
Michigan: The Oakland County
Experience. Valerie Windham
12:15—1:00 p.m. Lunch—Centennial Room
1:00—1:45 p.m. Panel of Lodge Members from
Michigan, Minnesota, and
Pennsylvania
2:00—4:00 p.m. Working Discussion: Ideas for
Michigan
Conclusion of Conference

Registration Information
No Registration Charge
Limited Enrollment
Mail, Fax, or Email Registration Information
by September 10, 2008 to: (See Contact
Information Below)
Name
________________________________________________________
Last First
Position:____________________________________
Organization :_________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City _________________________
State _________ Zip __________
Phone ( ) __________________________
E‐Mail :_________________________________________________
What Do You Hope to Learn from Attending?

Contact Information:
Mail: Dr. Esther Onaga
Department of Family & Child Ecology
Room 2J— Human Ecology Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Email: onaga@msu.edu
Fax: 517.432.2953

For further information contact
Tiffany Martoccio at 517.355.0166

From Gerald Butler

8/22/2008

Due to funding cuts, Fisher Clubhouse officially closed today and that
is very unfortunate. However, according to the
federal government “Future funding streams will be geared
towards consumer directed, recovery centered, programs”. Over
the years Southwest Solutions has shown the ability and the willingness
to identify and help us with our day-to-day concerns. In the matter
of the closing of Fisher, Southwest has turned a negative into a positive
by replacing the clubhouse with a proven consumer run program.

Founded in 1995 the Go-Getters program is the only certified consumer
run and directed program in Wayne County. Over the years, Go-Getters
has provided an environment in which consumers are able to find acceptance,
encouragement, and hope. Not only did Go-Getters sponsor this year’s
‘Empowerment Day/Recovery is Possible’ celebration, but Shirley
Cockrell (Dir. Go-Getters) and her daughter LeAnn worked tirelessly
to make this one the absolute best of the three Empowerment Day celebrations
held so far. The Go-Getters program has certainly fulfilled their mission
statement “To help members discover & develop their own skills,
talents and abilities for enhancing their daily lives’.

I used to wonder why in some of the best programs, some folks did well
while others did not. One thing I realized was that decent housing plays
a vital role in the of recovery process. During the day we can participate
in the most progressive programs. However, there is a tendency to lose
whatever gains we have made during the day by having to live in non-recovery
centered environments. Southwest Solutions began to deal with this issue
years ago by buying abandoned property, doing state-of-the-art rehab,
and moving consumers into recovery-centered housing. The really cool
thing is that all the necessary support systems, self help groups, physicians,
counseling, etc. are also in place. This assures a healthy start on
the recovery journey.

When Marilyn Snowden (Dir.
Detroit East) told me 3
years ago that she was going to make my dream of an Empowerment Day
a reality, I had serious doubts. In fact my self-esteem was such
that had it not been for Ms. Snowden’s support and encouragement,
there never would have been an Empowerment Day. When Irene Kazieczko (Michigan Department of Comm. Health) and Marianne Udow (former
Dir. Department of Human Services)
attended the first celebration I knew I had somehow stumbled upon a
gold mine. If such honored state leaders were willing to support me
in my efforts to spread the message of recovery, it meant they were
willing to support ALL consumers in their recovery efforts. Today, I
consider it my duty to share this same hope with as many of my brothers
and sisters in recovery as I possibly can.

On the 2^nd of September Go-Getters will begin operating in
what was the Fisher Clubhouse and this fits in with the recommendations
of The Freedom Commission’s efforts to expand consumer directed programming.
The report also emphasizes the need for progressive ‘New Leaders’
capable of adapting to such things as funding cuts and yet be able to
keep our recovery first and foremost. Southwest Solutions is leading
the charge as Michigan moves into a whole new day when it comes to treatment
and recovery. And I am honored to be a part of their efforts.

Gerald Butler

Kickin Tina: Recovery is a Trip

i feel like shouting from the rooftops. but i guess i will simply declare that having become affiliated with AfR
has been an uplifting experience. the opportunities that are presenting
themselves to me are amazing. i am in awe of the experience of working
on the wellness resource room for the convention here in denver.
although, all i really did was organize and schedule about 20
volunteers, it does make my heart smile to be part of what i really
hope becomes the first step in a major shift in american policy towards
recovery and wellness.

imagine being at a huge political event such as a dnc,
in a city you don't know, and the stress and the presence of major
cocktail parties all day and all night finds you feeling triggered, or
full of anxiety. but wait... all you have to do is find the wellness
resource people and they can direct you to a group, or an organization,
or a private practictioner. your experience can change almost in
lightning speed. crisis averted.