LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 154 (April 24, 2008) My work is Living Room. It’s so very important to me. But I know there’s more to life than this. At times I think I’m living like a nun, cloistered. I don’t read the newspapers, don’t listen to the news on the radio, don’t watch any TV, hardly […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 112 (November 12, 2007) I’ve been happy lately about how I’m able to control my anger, especially towards those who don’t understand mental illness. I wrote recently about how we have to be patient with and learn to be “understanding of those who don’t understand”. But sometimes my patience wears thin and […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 101 (September 19, 2007) In the last post I talked about how my congregation learned to understand and support people with mental illness. I think one important thing that helps me when I try to educate and help people understand mental health issues – whether it’s through writing or meeting with them […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 66 (April 28, 2007) At Living Room yesterday we talked about stigma and how it affects our lives with mood disorders. The discussion time was good. Many of the people around the table had thoughts to contribute. But when I tried to find something hopeful to bring out of the discussion, something […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 65 (April 26, 2007) At Living Room tomorrow I’m going to open a discussion on stigma and how it has – or has not – affected us. I’m sure everyone will have stories of when they’ve been hurt or misunderstood. I believe stigma is the greatest enemy of those who live with […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 25 (November 5, 2006) A friend recently talked about her wish for church support for her battles with bipolar. This, once more, made me feel the great need for spiritual support for people with this disorder. When we believe in God, we need to be able to talk with others who share […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 18 (October 16, 2006) Anyone who is familiar with my blog knows how I always say I’m not much affected by stigma – as though I’ve risen above it. Well I haven’t risen above it, and I guess no one with a mental disorder will for many years. I got careless today […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 9 (Monday, September 18, 2006) A few days ago my pastor invited me to talk at church about my support group. He wanted me to tell the congregation why I had decided to form the group. This would lead into his sermon on building authentic community. I don’t usually get too nervous […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM 3 (August 30, 2006) If only we did not feel such shame. If only it were safer for us to speak and tell others. If only there were no stigma… I can’t let this topic go. I first decided to come out in the open when I read the following by Dr. John […]
Read More...LIVING ROOM MEMORIES 2 (August 28, 2006) One of the main goals in my mental health work has been to reduce stigma. Recently I concluded that stigma was perhaps more responsible for depression, hopelessness and suicide than the illness itself. In my young and zealous “voice” back in August 2006, I wrote the following in […]
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