Please, don't become one of them!
I was sitting at my desk at the mental health drop in center that I was director of, when a friend/member I'll call him K, came in for some advice. He ended our conversation by saying "please don't become one of them" One of them, WOW! the way he said it. I am a big believer in the vital importance of the Peer to Peer component of recovery. I do though have concerns, based my own experience as a formally outspoken Peer/Advocate who ended up working in the mental health arena. Professional Advocates, Consumers turned Case Managers as K was referring to etc. can become quite problematic. I know that at times even though it may not have been said, it was clear that if I pissed off the wrong people, agencies or organizations (even when they needed to be called out) there would be a price to pay that would not be mine alone to bare. I had to be concerned how things would effect the center/ members. A once awsome outspoken advocate comes to mind and it seems to me he could not be shut up, so he got hired. *JUST SAYING*
Need for Advocacy not Apathy in troubled times
WE NEED MORE Advocacy not Apathy in these troubled economic times. I know how hard it can get, burn-out can set in when only a few are actually "doing" not just talking about doing or what should be done. Building Community - Taking Action I was very, very saddened to see that this year there was NO 4th Annual Mental Illness Awareness Week Candle Light Vigil that I am aware of in my county. Since 2006, when I was first asked to put on the event, it had blossomed into a spiritual and introspective time of healing, understanding and remembrance in my community. Each year the event was even better than the last. I have a lot of recovery ahead for me in 2010 and beyond but, GOD willing and with His and only with His guidance I will rejoin the ranks of the Advocates.
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