On Starting A Support Group In My Town

Kate K. Living With It I am a visual artist who also likes to write songs and blog I began hearing voices in my mid twenties, sometime after I graduated... Send Message Subscribe: Kate K.

Monday, August 10, 2009
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A couple of weeks ago I met with a NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) president of Cattauraugus County in New York State for lunch. I was hoping that she could help me start a support group in my town under the auspices of NAMI. Unfortunately, I would have to take an intensive 3 d...

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wishing you every success...
Chris
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 01:45 PM

Hi Kate,

(from a regular reader of your blog and admirer of your art; discovered via Christina's and Pam Wagner's personal blogs...your forward energy is palpable...)

Glad to be the first to wish you good luck initiating your so exciting and brave 'peer connects with peer' venture in your community.

If I have read you right you strive to break down the individual isolation you have sadly recognised and empower/ support the sometimes nearly housebound 'hidden' individuals refind and develop their strengths in recovery by connection and support.

Best wishes,

Chris,

'living alongside' in UK

re: wishing you every success...
Kate K.
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 03:39 PM

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the good wishes and for taking the time to comment. I hope you're doing well.

If I can get a group started in my town, I will be so proud of myself. Frankly, I'm shocked by the fact that there are no support groups for mental illness (except AA,NA and Al-Anon) in my area. There aren't even many psychiatrists. My psychiatrists works in three different towns. I don't know how he does it in the winter. I live in a poor, rural county rife with problems such as addiction, domestic violence, child abuse, etc... but no one is talking about it. Sometimes I feel like I'm living on the moon. And I know full well all it takes is me starting to reach out to people in my community. I have to be willing to say openly, even proudly (as a survivor) that I suffer from schizophrenia. I have to stop hiding away. If I'm not comfortable being open about my illness, how can I expect others to be comfortable with me and others who suffer from mental illnesses in this community?

By the way, I just returned to painting after over a month of not doing it. I posted the two painting I did yesterday on my blog. When you have a chance, take a look. I really appreciate you following my blog and I'm so glad that you like some of my artwork. Stay well Chris!

Kate : )

Hello
Christina Bruni
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 10:19 PM

Hi Kate,

Good luck with starting the support group!

I saw your paintings, they're beautiful.

Have a good night [it will be Monday night when you read this.]

Cheers,

Christina

re: Hello
Kate K.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Thanks Chris for the support and I'm very glad you like the paintings. I'm going to try to upload more photos of my paintings to my profile on this site.