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I work, I study, I play, I laugh, I sing out loud, I skip, I drink too much coffee, I love great food, I bake, I write, I try and be a good mum and wife, I sometimes do housework!!!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Open Your Mind

We have been celebrating Mental Health Week here in Australia this week - did you know that? Did you think about mental health issues? Did you think about what YOU can do?

In the next 12 months, 1 in 5 of us will experience a mental health problem. That is 20% of the population......rather a large portion isn't it. We need to work together doing whatever we can to reduce the stigma and discrimination that STILL surrounds mental illnesses. Maybe you can allow some time to help a person with a mental illness or do a little bit of research into a type of mental illness.

There are the more obvious visual illnesses where a person is brain damaged and we can see they are challenged and make allowances......but there are literally THOUSANDS of people who suffer from depression, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, scizophrenia, post-natal depression, anorexia, bulimia, life limiting phobias, breakdowns, anxiety and on the list goes. These are not always so obvious.

I had the privilege of attending the "Words Poetry Evening" last night here in Adelaide. It was the Open Your Mind Poetry Competition and Words Evening brought to us by the SA Writers' Centre and the Mental Health Coalition of SA.

It was exciting, invigorating and I felt just so blessed to be a part of the story that unfolded. We listened to 2 guest speakers who fight their own personal mental health issues every day and work for better understanding and acceptance of mental illnesses as a whole, along with hearing the winning pieces of the 'Open Your Mind' poetry competition. Totally amazing writing......each category winner was presented with their piece painted onto a canvas by the very talented Suzie Morizzi.

Wow - what an emotional but amazing night. I came away more determined to face my own issues following a breakdown 3 years ago and to put pen to paper to record my journey now. Not because I want it published and I am important, but because I need to own my journey: where I have been and where I have come.

I ask you to just stop and consider your own mental health, keep yourself well and spare a thought for those who struggle. They cannot 'help it' and just get better, it is a VERY REAL illness that affects daily life, relationships, ability to work, ability to be involved in community, ability to socially integrate. It requires assistance, often medication and can be a life time issue. Take the tail end of this week and give a thought to what YOU can do to help reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.
blue woman dancing

I hope in doing so you are enriched and blessed,
TK xx

5 comments:

  1. well said TK, it definitely isn't one of those things we can say "just get over it"
    good on you for wanting to write about it. wish you the best of luck.

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  2. Enjoyed so much reading your wonderful post T.
    This is such an important issue, writing and blogging about it can help so many that need this legitimation and support.
    I think it is a bliss if you can write about it, and maybe, find a way to share with those who can be inspired by your journey.

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  3. Love the blue woman dancing! These issues are never far from my thoughts. I'm daily facing & working with my own weaknesses & tender places. Last night I watched the movie Bright Star & adored the full immersion in loveliness & the poetry of John Keats. Thanks for the post. Much love Catherine ♥

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  4. I just came here from your comment on Fox' Lane: Me Time post. It struck a chord because it has a lot of what I live with in it too. I recently did a post on IPV and PTSD and was surprised at people's reactions that it was a brave thing to do. I don't really think so. I find that it is such a full part of my life that it would be devastating if I could not accept it all. I was lucky that before I realised I had depression Australia had a series of ads aimed at removing the stigma. We aren't "mental" although I am perfectly happy to accept that if that is all someone can think of in regard to my condition. I've learned to embrace the 'fruitloop' definition given by my ex and try to help others to see that there is nothing wrong with having these problems just like there is nothing wrong with bad eyesight, heart problems, etc. Hope some of that makes sense. Anyway thanks for your post and that comment too. Every time someone speaks out it helps to break down the barriers. Cherrie

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  5. Thank you for posting this Tiffany. It was indeed a fantastic evening, and I too feel blessed to have been a part of it.
    The wonderful sharing of stories that took place led to everybody feeling like we were taking part in something wonderful and healing.
    And good on you too, Tiffany, for embracing the story of your journey. We all have our own stories, and paying our own story the respect it deserves is empowering.

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Thankyou for blessing me by stopping by my little blog - I always appreciate your comments TK xx