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Don Fraser is Living with Schizophrenia Living With It Isn't life grand? Five years ago,a specialist told... Send Message Subscribe: Don Fraser

Sunday, October 25, 2009
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Well, I was a hit in my two speeches last week. I'll try to be modest here but the audiences really did like me, and, more importantly, what I had to say. The first speech was the easy one, though the audience was a more formal one. The event was t...

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Janet
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 03:52 PM

Hi Don. I want to congratulate you are your speeches and to Thank You for everyone one of us that has schizophrenia. You are to be commended for taking your life with schizophrenia to the public. Hopefully your speeches will educate others and help to get rid of the stigma attached to Mental Illness.

Untitled Comment
Janet
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 03:52 PM

Hi Don. I want to congratulate you are your speeches and to Thank You for everyone one of us that has schizophrenia. You are to be commended for taking your life with schizophrenia to the public. Hopefully your speeches will educate others and help to get rid of the stigma attached to Mental Illness.

thanks !
Don Fraser
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:10 PM

Thank-you Janet for your encouragement and praise.

We are all doing what we can to fight the stigma that haunts us.

Thanks again,

Don F.

mental health awareness
DCROY9633
Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 08:38 PM

I think mental health issues should be taught in health class (if schools still have health class.) And if not, I think faculty and administration should have some of their training days devoted to the understanding and awareness of mental illness in students. And I think there should be mental health screenings for all students at least from middle school through high school. I was very depressed in high school and would have appreciated getting some help. I didn't know how to ask for help or even what was wrong with me.

Thank you for getting out there and paving the way.

Carolyn

schools
Don Fraser
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:22 PM

You are so right, Carol. I don`t know if this subject is part of the regular curriculum, but at the school where I spoke, there are a few liberated teachers who make sure that the students learn a little about mental illness.

I felt no depression in high-school, but the early signs of psychosis appeared when I was 15. I guess you could say I felt emotionally vulnerable.

High-school is such a turbulent time for young people, and maybe if there was a group like mine who came to your school, you could have found some help.

I don`t know who said it, but it has been said that we are always alone.

Take care,

Don F.

good work
David Robbins
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 03:59 PM

Don that's really cool that you are out there telling your story and teaching the public about SZ. You are to be commended.

Keep up the good works you are doing.

Take good care,

Dave

re: good work
Don Fraser
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:31 PM

Thanks Dave; I guess teaching must be in my blood. My mother was a school-teacher for 40 years.

`The Public` is ignorant, my friend. Outdated ideas and press releases about insane killers keeps everyone in the dark. And if they do have an opinion, it`s a negative one. Maybe I should consider media as a career.

Peace,

Don F.

Cheers
Christina Bruni
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 09:45 PM

Hi Don,

Way to go!

You have done the world a great service by speaking out.

I wish more people would be honest like you.

Cheers,

Christina

Honesty and Education
Don Fraser
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:48 PM

Hi Christina,

Well, I try to be be honest !

Education, as you know, is the great key in the mental illness puzzle.       When I took the job with the BCSS five years ago, I really didn`t know what to expect.     They told me just to tell my story and let the students respond.     That`s really all I do.

I believe, though, and I`m sure you`ll agree, that educating consumers of mental health services is just as important, if not more so, than the public.

It seems to me that the main purpose of this site is self-education and self-awareness about schizophrenia.     That`s a work in progress.

Shalom,

Don F.

Untitled Comment
Naykizzo
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 09:56 AM

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's great to hear that you are passionate about helping and educating others about our illness and that you were well accepted by your audiences.

Have a great day!

Rene