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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 day training program with another mentally ill person in an unfamiliar city somewhat far away and there isn't a training program for quite a while. So, if I want a support group, I'm back to having to starting it myself and I don't quite trust myself to get the ball rolling. Somedays I have confidence and other days I just don't. It shouldn't be this hard. All I really need to do is contact the local churches and find an inexpensive meeting place, but that means being very upfront about my mental illness and actually talking to strangers. It means taking on more responsibility and being consistent. I have a feeling that if I just reach out to people in the community, I will have a good chance of actually starting a group. I've been wanting to do this for two years! I did contact via email a local minister last February and she gave me the phone numbers of several places to contact, including her own church secretary, but I have trouble using the phone. Though lately, I've been able to use the telephone more.
It's times like these where living in isolation from other people in my community who suffer from mental illness really hurts me. If I knew just one other person in my town who was interested in starting a group, it would be so much easier. The NAMI president I had lunch with did give me the phone number of a couple who suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder in a neighboring town, but they want the support group to be in their town (not surprisingly) and I feel awkward about calling them. There is a meeting scheduled an hours drive away on August 26th which I think I will go to and that couple should be there. I would like to have contacted the churches in my town by then--give myself a deadline so to speak. That gives me just two weeks to get off my butt and do something. Wish me luck!
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
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 : )