Enter The Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway!
May 1, 2008 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions

Guess what amigos! Not only does today begin Mental Health Awareness Month, but it’s Mental Health Notes’s first birthday!
That’s right – exactly one year ago today b5media and I gave birth to Mental Health Notes, the lovely vessel of information you read each day (well, at least I hope you read it each day…every other day? Can I get once a week?). Ah, it was a joyous occasion (actually, you’ll see I was much less talkative than I am today) and I am one proud momma.
In honor of Mental Health Notes’s first birthday (and today being the kick-off for Mental Health Awareness Month!) I’m giving away presents! I know, I know, I’m actually the one who’s supposed to get a gift or three, but what can I say? I’m a generous soul. Well, that, and Mental Health Notes would be nothing without fantastic readers such as yourselves.
Of course, I’m not actually giving away presents – there’s a catch, and it’s a contest. However, it’s so simple, I may as well be giving them away!
All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me (and the world) one thing you’ve learned since you started reading Mental Health Notes. It could be something you learned from a particular Mental Health Notes post or something you learned about your own mental health. You can enter as many times as you want, but make sure each comment reflects a different lesson you’ve learned about mental health.
Leave your comment between today and midnight on May 31, 2008 and make sure to include your email address in that little box that reads “Mail,” so I’ll know how to contact you if you win.
And (are you ready for this?) – there will be three winners!
First Prize: One Silver Ribbon Pin
Second Prize: One Silver Ribbon Wristband
Third Prize: One Silver Ribbon Bumper Sticker
Have you ever paid attention to the silver ribbon in Mental Health Notes’s header?
I chose to purchase and give away Silver Ribbon products from NARSAD Artworks because the Silver Ribbon is a popular symbol of awareness for brain disorders and disabilities. The Silver Ribbon Campaign for the Brain is an internationally recognized endeavor, and advocates for all types of mental health and brain issues – including anxiety, depression, autism, brain cancer, brain injuries, depressive disorders, Parkinson’s, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychotic disorders – represent the Silver Ribbon Coalition.
Winners will be chosen at random and announced on June 1, 2008.
What are you waiting for? Start entering!

Image: Newscom
Be sure to stay tuned, because later today Mental Health Notes begins its This Is Why I ROCK! series!















One thing I learned about myself is that taking my meds every day is a lot easier that I’ve made it out to be — and I’m a lot happier (and more pleasant to be around!) when I just do it.
kk
Happy month to you, Alicia!
One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes I don’t pay attention to my own mental health until it begins to affect my physical health. Perhaps if I were a little more aware to begin with, I’d be healthier all ’round.
@ Kristen – Gah, ain’t that the truth (about it being easier than we make it out to be)! It took me a while to figure that out.
@ Gabrielle – Thank you! And that’s such an important lesson. When we don’t take care of our brains, it affects our bodies, and when we don’t take care of our bodies, it affects our brains. That’s actually a lesson I continue to learn every day.
I have learned that the blogging community is very open and receptive to talking about mental health. I have found a great deal of support and stigma-busting articles online.
One thing I have learned… that so many others to struggle with the very same issues that I do each and every day- anxiety and depression. My mental health is absolutely tied in with my physical self and I to need to remember to be kind to myself and take my medication every day- makes things easier for me and my family.
Happy one year Alicia!!! Kendra:)
Hi, hon! I wanted to let you know that I think this is really an awesome blog. I love your voice–you’re intelligent but funny with just a bit of an edge. Can I just say I am SO glad that you are back in my circle of friends? I missed you a lot.
So, anyway, I learned about that silver ribbon being the symbol for mental health–very nice. I also enjoyed reading your ADD entry recently, since I have gone on medication for that.
Thanks for all you do. And, I’m not just saying that because you’re giving away prizes to the one who says the nicest things.
Kat
I learned I’m not alone. I *knew* I wasn’t alone, but sometimes it’s easier to wallow and believe you’re alone anyway – if that makes sense.