The National Network For Mental Health (NNMH) included these definitions of recovery in its latest newsletter. They are taken from ReStorying Psychiatric Disability: Learning From First Person Accounts of Recovery (P. Ridgeway, 2001).
*Recovery is the reawakening of hope after despair.
*Recovery is breaking through denial and achieving understanding and acceptance.
*Recovery is moving from withdrawal to engagement and active participation in life.
*Recovery is active coping rather than passive adjustment.
*Recovery means no longer viewing oneself primarily as a mental patient and reclaiming a positive sense of self.
*Recovery is a journey from alienation to purpose.
*Recovery is a complex journey.
*Recovery is not accomplished alone-it involves support and partnership.
My favourite description above is that of recovery as a complex journey. Illness & recovery are not black & white phenomena. One can follow the other. But, they can be cyclical as well. Also, a person can be both recovering and experiencing illness simultaneously.
While professional intervention can be helpful in determining one's stage in the recovery process, a person should evaluate his/her intrinsic state. Only then, can one determine his/her place in the journey of recovery. In other words, I think professionals provide benchmarks and those in recovery have to look within themselves to more appropriately gauge their progress.
Clearly, recovery is a subjective and personal experience.
How do you define recovery? How does it relate to your personal experiences, mental health-related or others?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Call for volunteers at Mood Disorders Ottawa
Mood Disorders Ottawa (MDO), formerly Depression and Manic Depression Mutual Support Group, is seeking volunteers to help with a variety of functions including fundraising, bookkeeping, and events organization. MDO welcomes volunteers with different backgrounds and skill sets including persons who live with or have recovered from mental illness. The organization is in need of new board members as well who will seek nomination at its June annual general meeting. Board members must be able to meet a time commitment of one evening meeting each month (usually the 1st Wednesday) as well as a couple hours extra per month for board work. Positions to be filled include the roles of President, Vice-President (x2), Treasurer, and others.
The Ottawa-based organization is also looking for speakers for it's upcoming 2007-2008 season. Health professionals are encouraged to share with MDO information relevant to the mood disorders community. These Information Meetings are open to the public and held on the 3rd Tuesday each month from 7:30-9:30 at the Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Ave.
MDO offers mutual support discussion groups for people with mood disorders to share their experiences. As well, MDO offers a family support group in Orleans and is looking to establishing one downtown. A volunteer is needed to help develop this new group and to facilitate the sessions.
For any questions about MDO and to learn how you can volunteer, please contact Barbara, MDO President, at (613) 729-4831.
The Ottawa-based organization is also looking for speakers for it's upcoming 2007-2008 season. Health professionals are encouraged to share with MDO information relevant to the mood disorders community. These Information Meetings are open to the public and held on the 3rd Tuesday each month from 7:30-9:30 at the Southminster Church, 15 Aylmer Ave.
MDO offers mutual support discussion groups for people with mood disorders to share their experiences. As well, MDO offers a family support group in Orleans and is looking to establishing one downtown. A volunteer is needed to help develop this new group and to facilitate the sessions.
For any questions about MDO and to learn how you can volunteer, please contact Barbara, MDO President, at (613) 729-4831.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Only 3 days left
It's Children's Mental Health Week.
If you haven't yet signed the petition, now is the time. With only 3 days left, this week-long campaign needs just a few more signatures. It has, thus far, reached 75% of its goal.
Support children's mental health now!
* Log on to the secure website then click on SIGN OUR PETITION
If you haven't yet signed the petition, now is the time. With only 3 days left, this week-long campaign needs just a few more signatures. It has, thus far, reached 75% of its goal.
Support children's mental health now!
* Log on to the secure website then click on SIGN OUR PETITION
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Going Green for Mental Health
The environment, being green - it's all over the news and a big topic of conversation.
I had always thought of myself as environmentally-friendly, but with all the commotion lately, I've felt the urge to make further improvements.
Something as simple as walking to the store for groceries, instead of driving, will greatly reduce impact on air quality. Plus, the behaviour provides great benefits to one's physical and mental health. For me, I find the simple act of changing a behaviour into a more positive one makes me feel better. Furthermore, getting fresh air, a little sun, and exercise from the process are added bonuses.
During my shopping excursion, I purchased canvas/cloth grocery bags from my local Loblaws/Superstore for 99 cents each. I now have half a dozen bags to carry my food home more easily (without the stretching and ripping of plastic). An added bonus to my mental health: putting an end to the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic bags stuffed under my kitchen sink which annoyingly fall out when I open the cupboard.
Other little things you can do to improve the environment and reap the benefits toward better mental health:
-reduce transportation emissions from buying local produce and derive a warm, fuzzy feeling from improving your own community / local economy
-instead of sending items to the landfill, donate used clothes and furniture to a local charity or second-hand shop
-turn off lights and electronics when not in use, not only will the environment thank you so will your mental health when you see that your monthly bills are lowered
How are you helping the environment? What have you tried? Do you notice any benefits toward your mental health, direct or indirect?
I am interested in hearing everyone's comments.
I had always thought of myself as environmentally-friendly, but with all the commotion lately, I've felt the urge to make further improvements.
Something as simple as walking to the store for groceries, instead of driving, will greatly reduce impact on air quality. Plus, the behaviour provides great benefits to one's physical and mental health. For me, I find the simple act of changing a behaviour into a more positive one makes me feel better. Furthermore, getting fresh air, a little sun, and exercise from the process are added bonuses.
During my shopping excursion, I purchased canvas/cloth grocery bags from my local Loblaws/Superstore for 99 cents each. I now have half a dozen bags to carry my food home more easily (without the stretching and ripping of plastic). An added bonus to my mental health: putting an end to the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic bags stuffed under my kitchen sink which annoyingly fall out when I open the cupboard.
Other little things you can do to improve the environment and reap the benefits toward better mental health:
-reduce transportation emissions from buying local produce and derive a warm, fuzzy feeling from improving your own community / local economy
-instead of sending items to the landfill, donate used clothes and furniture to a local charity or second-hand shop
-turn off lights and electronics when not in use, not only will the environment thank you so will your mental health when you see that your monthly bills are lowered
How are you helping the environment? What have you tried? Do you notice any benefits toward your mental health, direct or indirect?
I am interested in hearing everyone's comments.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Petition for Children's Mental Health
Send a message to the Ontario provincial government:
The opportunity to demonstrate your support for 1 in 5 children and youth who are troubled by mental health issues, is still open. Life long mental health difficulties so often start in our young. With your help, our efforts to bring this issue the attention it needs can be achieved.
By May 13th, the end of Children's Mental Health Week, we aim to have 5000 names on our petition.
So far we are almost 20% along and look for your help in moving this number up.
This petition will not only be sent to the heads of our provincial parties, we can use the strength of its numbers to bolster our messaging in upcoming meetings and other advocacy efforts.
If you have not already signed the petition, you still have time.
* Log on to the secure website http://www.parentsforchildrensmentalhealth.org/ then click on SIGN OUR PETITION
* Be sure to forward this to your family, friends and colleagues.
Thank you
Consumers and Advocates Committee of the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Heath
Parents for Children's Mental Health
Youth Net/Réseau Ado
The opportunity to demonstrate your support for 1 in 5 children and youth who are troubled by mental health issues, is still open. Life long mental health difficulties so often start in our young. With your help, our efforts to bring this issue the attention it needs can be achieved.
By May 13th, the end of Children's Mental Health Week, we aim to have 5000 names on our petition.
So far we are almost 20% along and look for your help in moving this number up.
This petition will not only be sent to the heads of our provincial parties, we can use the strength of its numbers to bolster our messaging in upcoming meetings and other advocacy efforts.
If you have not already signed the petition, you still have time.
* Log on to the secure website http://www.parentsforchildrensmentalhealth.org/ then click on SIGN OUR PETITION
* Be sure to forward this to your family, friends and colleagues.
Thank you
Consumers and Advocates Committee of the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Heath
Parents for Children's Mental Health
Youth Net/Réseau Ado
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