Mental Illness Awareness Week 2007

Dear readers,

I'd like to reach out and say I'm thinking about those of you who are currently experiencing mental illness and those who have lost someone to suicide. Whether or not we know each other, I'm listening.

~Let there be light~

Jennifer


Faces of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2007
Meet this year's Faces

My story from MIAW 2006


About Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.

Campaign elements include: a grassroots public education initiative; a nationally-distributed poster and bookmark series; the 5th Annual Champions of Mental Health Awards luncheon in Ottawa and an education initiative with federal Members of Parliament, both in their home ridings and on Parliament Hill.

Out-of-body experiences

Have you ever had an out-of-body experience?

If you live with an anxiety disorder, chances are you have or at least come close. During a severe panic attack (some are milder than others) one can experience depersonalization and/or derealization. I have often experienced derealization during panic attacks, but only once did I have an extreme case of depersonalization. It was absolutely terrifying. Literally, I lost my "sense of self" and was outside my own body - is was like I had a mind and no body - sort of floating in mid air or something. It sounds crazy, and well, it was. In fact, I have not found an online definition which describes my episode in its fully intensity (sorry Wikipedia!).

Interestingly, scientists are now creating virtual out-of-body experiences for willing volunteers. I suppose that this virtual method may soon be used for desensitization purposes. While I don't think I would be first in line to try it, nonetheless, it might be worth trying if it is shown to reduce the severity of panic attacks.

Mental Illness and Relationships

I am interested in finding out from my readers, especially those who've experienced mental illness, what their relationships are like with others who have mental illness. I'd like to hear your opinion on 2 things:

-the quantity of relationships one with mental illness has with others with mental illness compared to that of the regular population (outside of support groups, health facilities, etc); other than the normal meetings spots previously mentioned, do find people with mental illness tend to group together? Are there patterns? Are we 'drawn to one another' somehow?

-the quality of the relationship one with mental illness has with others with mental illness; I'm most interested in stories involving work or personal relationships outside of typical health settings. How did you find out the other person had a mental illness? Did you disclose first?

While scientific research is interesting, I'd really like to know your opinion from your own experience. You can post as anonymous if you'd like. Note, this is not an official survey, just an online discussion.