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With only a few days until the 2008 presidential election, we’re getting down to the nitty gritty here in America. Like many Americans, I’m quite anxious. The race is close, and I’m looking forward to its finish. I’m looking forward to knowing who our next leader will be. I’m looking forward to seeing if he can pull us out of this economic slump.
I’m also looking forward to no longer receiving campaign emails and enjoying a full week of prime time television without debate interruptions.
Despite how close Election Day is, nearly 6.4 percent of the voting public …read more

October’s theme day has arrived, and throughout b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel we’re talking about harvesting.
Harvesting? How could harvesting apply to mental health?
In lots of ways, actually, but the harvesting I’m discussing today relates to everything I’ve sowed, and reaped, as a mental health blogger. Everything I’ve harvested thus far during my year and a half as an online mental health advocate and gal behind the Mental Health Notes curtain.
I thought I’d share them with you so you could see just what keeps me going as a mental health blogger, and maybe even inspire you to start blogging about your …read more

Today is World Mental Health Day.
Sometimes I write a post dedicated to particular mental health awareness days, and sometimes I just provide a round up of all the awareness events taking place throughout a particular month.
I chose the former for World Mental Health Day because I stumbled across I Believe: A poem for World Mental Health Day on YouTube this morning, and really wanted to share it.
The poem isn’t specifically geared toward mental health awareness; rather, the awareness of all that is and all that can be good, hopeful, and compassionate in the world. And isn’t that what mental health …read more

The “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate” series here at Mental Health Notes comes to an end today, and so far you’ve read about stopping mental health stigma, getting involved with mental health advocacy and research organizations as well as mental health support groups, and ways to educate yourself and others about mental health.
To wrap up, let’s muse on mental health politics, i.e. mental health legislation that deals with issues like postpartum depression, substance and alcohol abuse, and of course – MENTAL HEALTH PARITY!
Number Five: Become a mental health advocate when you get involved with mental health …read more

In yesterday’s post for the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate,” I wrote about how you can easily become a mental health advocate when you stop yourself and others from promoting mental health stigma.
Today, let’s look at how large mental health advocacy and research organizations can help.
Number Two: Become a mental health advocate when you get involved with large mental health advocacy and research organizations.

Back in August, Angelique of Breaking the Mirror wrote about the top eight ways to become an eating disorders recovery advocate. I thought it was such an awesome idea that I decided to do it here at Mental Health Notes!
As I started writing, however, I realized just how much information can go into helping someone become a mental health advocate. So, I’ve broken the list into five separate posts for you to peruse all week in a series called “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate,” starting with:
Number One: Become a mental health advocate when you stop promoting …read more

Back in April, I told you about the Consumers Union Prescription for Change and its mission to “urge the FDA to require the same MedWatch 1-800 number given in print drug advertisements to also be given during television drug advertisements, as well as Web site information.”
Today, I want to introduce you to a new Consumers Union campaign, the Cover America Tour.
From the Web site:
The Cover America Tour, sponsored by Consumer Reports Health, will roam the country this summer, putting faces on the flaws in our broken health care system. At every stop, we’ll videotape Americans talking about the challenges they’ve …read more

Ever want to know more about online support groups? Been curious and tempted to join one, but skeptical or unsure of how you’d benefit?
Well, you’re in luck. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is having another online chat today, and this time the “guest” is DBSA Chapter Recruitment Manager Elizabeth Siegel who will talk with chat participants about the benefits of DBSA online support groups.
Chat times are:
Eastern: 4:30 p.m.
Central: 3:30 p.m.
Mountain: 2:30 p.m.
Pacific: 1:30 p.m.
To find out more about the chat and sign up, visit DBSA Chat: Online Support Groups–Benefits & Challenges.

Image: Newscom

This morning, Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network sent an email asking me (and anyone else who’s signed up for their emails) to sign a petition so they can “collect signatures from Americans who want the candidates and political parties to recognize the importance of mental health and substance use issues.” The petition will be delivered to presidential candidates and political party platform committees.
Also within the email was a link to the Whole Health Campaign, “a collaboration of over 40 prominent organizations working to ensure that the current healthcare debate includes both mind and body.” (The Whole Health Campaign also links …read more

Boy, when I fall into a blogging slump, I really fall into a blogging slump, huh? This is the second week in a row I’ve not offered up more than one post a day here at Mental Health Notes and, honestly, that blows.
However, in my defense (what little bit of defense I have), I have been dealing with work-related matters, surprise visitors, and doing some housekeeping here at MHN, which includes putting an excellent editorial calendar together for the coming weeks here at MHN.
And do I have so great things lined up for y’all!
In the meantime, let’s take a look …read more