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 is still undecided. And, given the number of Americans with mental health issues, I’m willing to bet a good percentage of those undecided voters could use some more information about the candidate’s health care platforms. Fortunately, they don’t have to go very far. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) launched its online Election Center, MI Vote Counts, to help them out.

From helping consumers understand the importance of voting and providing information about mental health legislation to informing them about registering to vote and exactly how to go about voting, the DBSA’s MI Vote Counts is a portal for all things election.

I was able to chat with Gloria Pope, the DBSA’s Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, about why MI Vote Counts is so important – specifically, the story behind MI Vote Counts, the importance of staying current with the candidate’s platforms, and the spark that sets the DBSA’s Election Center apart from all other online tools.

Read on!

Mental Health Notes: What prompted the DBSA to create the Election Center (EC)? What was the driving force behind it?

Gloria Pope: For the past two years, DBSA has been building a phenomenal network of online advocates. We started out by doing a couple of trainings on “Advocacy 101” with a few of our chapter leaders. Then soon after, we began to send alerts out when we needed action on a piece of legislation. We started with a small distribution list but through word of mouth; now distribute to more than 8,000 “constituents.”

Our goal for this upcoming election was to get our folks to register to vote, vote and encourage family and friends to do so as well. Our mantra – in all of our advocacy efforts has been – To be an advocate means you are empowered; and to be empowered means you are an advocate. The name of the center, “MI Vote Counts,” speaks for itself – and has been the message we’ve been trying to communicate throughout the year.

The EC will give our advocates a chance to truly be empowered by making their voices heard on November 4. To accomplish this, we needed to provide the tools and resources and make it quick and easy to find the information they would be looking for. All of the resources are need are in one place. The site with its colorful landing page has links such as, “Why Vote,” “How to Vote,” and the “Role of the Government,” will guide them to what they are looking for. Additionally, the homepage takes them directly to our Legislative Action Center (LAC), information on DBSA-endorsed legislation and an advocacy center, where they can learn how to be an advocate.

The EC will enable them to:

• Research the candidates and their platforms on healthcare.
• Find out if they endorsed or opposed mental health legislation throughout the year.
• Register to vote (day or night from the comfort of your home).
• Obtain an absentee ballot in case you may not feel well enough to vote.
• Learn about other legislators who are up for election.

We even made the center easy to find. Visitors can type dbsalliance.org/vote in to their search engines and go directly to the center.

MHN: Why do you feel it’s so important for mental health consumers to stay up to date with the presidential candidates’ platforms?

GP: We encouraged our advocates to go into the voting booth, armed with the best information possible. Throughout the past few months, we asked them not to be a part of “personality politics” – voting for a candidate because of their looks or personality. We wanted advocates to listen to all of the candidates’ platforms so that they could decide who would be the best candidate. Our advocates have the option of listening to what the candidates’ have been saying and then going to the LAC to see how they have voted in the past year on these same issues. We have found that some candidates’ support an issue on the campaign trail, but when you look at their voting record, it tells a whole other story.

MHN: And finally, what do you think makes the DBSA’s Election Center stand out from other advocacy groups’ similar election/candidate-focused informational websites?

GP: The EC gives our constituents everything they need to know right at their fingertips. They don’t have to search our site for different information. They can do everything from learning about the legislative process to reading about the importance of voting. – all in one place. We also have been finding an increase in letters sent to legislators by constituents who initially started out in the EC and then moved on the Legislative Action Center (LAC).

DBSA is extremely proud of our advocates. In 2006, approximately 500 letters were sent through the LAC. In 2007, the number increased to 10,300. This year, with two more months to go, more than 43,000 letters have been sent – making us one of the strongest grassroots networks of online advocates.

Personally, I’ve been browsing through MI Vote Counts since I first learned about it, and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s just now learning about it. It’s too late to register to vote in most states (except for those states that offer same-day and late registrations like New Hampshire and Montana), but keep in mind that is only one of the resources MI Vote Counts offers.

If you’re undecided, check it out.

If you’ve already decided, check it out anyway.

And don’t forget to thank Gloria for this insight into MI Vote Counts!

Post from: Blisstree

MI Vote Counts: The DBSA Helps You Decide

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 passion.

Read on!

As a mental health blogger…

I’ve made so many invaluable connections. From other mental health bloggers to representatives of mental health advocacy organizations, I’ve met people who share my goals and help keep me moving forward. These people inspire me and remind me of the importance of what I’m doing.

I get to read tons (well…numerous pounds!) of interesting books – for free! Not to mention all the great products. I love receiving emails from publicists, publishers, and authors asking if I’d like to review books for Mental Health Notes. Without such opportunities, I may have never met Bruce and Ozzy, I may have never gained a better understanding of schizophrenia, and I may never have gotten a glimpse into what motivates celebrities and everyday folks to change the world. And I’m still enjoying pzizz.

I get to interview interesting people. From book authors to mental health consumers, I’ve been able to get the inside scoop about what’s really going on in the mental health community.

I’ve enjoyed meeting readers who are just as passionate about mental health and supportive of others as I. Mental health advocacy is like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get. (Sorry – caught Forrest Gump on television last weekend.) But really, you never do know what you’re gonna get. Supporters, stimatizers, hypocrites – they’re all out there. Fortunately, my readership consists of mental health advocacy supporters who are constantly teaching and learning from one another.

I’m constantly learning. My readers aren’t the only ones! Thanks to the books, the interviews, my readers, and the drive to stay on top of mental health news, I’m constantly learning about people, mental health, and new perspectives.

I know I’ll get to write about at least one thing I’m passionate about each day. As a freelance writer, I write about a wide variety of topics. Some hold my interest, and others make me consider re-entering the nine-to-five world. As a mental health blogger, it’s my job to write about – and share my opinion about – the world of mental health each day.

Are you a mental health advocate? A consumer, support group leader, advocacy group member, or perhaps a fellow mental health blogger? Tell me what you’ve reaped during your mission to spread awareness about mental health!

This post is part of the b5media Health & Wellness Channel October Theme Day. To read more, visit Karen Lynch’s Theme Day: Harvest-Related Posts on the Health & Wellness Channel. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out all the Breast Cancer Awareness Month events Karen has going on!

Images: SXC and b5media, Inc.

Post from: Blisstree

Rewards I’ve Reaped As A Mental Health Blogger

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 awareness days are all about? Spreading the word? Spreading awareness, good news, hope, and compassion?

Yes, I believe so.

Check out the video, and if you like it and have a YouTube account, let the kid know. And, if you have any plans for World Mental Health Day, let me know below!

Post from: Blisstree

Poem For World Mental Health Day

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 politics and make your voice heard.

You don’t have to be a political person to get involved with politics that affect mental health legislation. Actually, you don’t even have to leave your house.

Thanks to organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), you can keep informed and get involved with mental health politics right from your computer.

To get started, check out these mental health legislative action centers:

• NAMI: Take Action
• DBSA: Advocacy in Action
• NMHA: Advocacy Network

Thanks to these groups – and the Internet – it’s possible and easy for us to sign petitions and send emails to our representatives regarding mental health legislation.

It’s never been easier to make our voices heard!

Later today, I’ll round up each of the posts in the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate” series. In the meantime, tell me what kind of mental health legislation you’ve been involved with lately.

• Are you subscribed to any newsletters or RSS feeds that keep you up to date with mental health legislation? Which ones?
• Which piece of mental health legislation is currently most important to you, and why?

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Get Involved With Mental Health Politics

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.

Large mental health advocacy and research organizations really have their stuff together, and can help you stay on top of current mental health issues, find nationwide mental health resources, and even get involved with special events. Check out the following to get started:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA).
• Mental Health America, or the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) as they’re being called now.
• The National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD).
• National Anxiety Foundation (NAF)
• Best Buddies International
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP)
• The Alzheimer’s Association

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s information about mental health support groups, but in the meantime, share your thoughts here about these large organizations.

• Are you involved with or a member of any of these mental health organizations?
• What has been your experience with these groups?

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Get Involved With 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 stigma and stop others from promoting stigma.

You may not be a cruel, heartless, thoughtless person, but you may use words like “nut case,” “crazy,” and “whack job” from time to time when referring to another human being. Stop! These words have negative connotations and are degrading.

When people who know a little something about mental illness hear you say those words, they may think you are cruel, heartless, and thoughtless. And, when people who don’t know much about mental illness hear you say them, they may think it’s okay to use them, too.

It’s a vicious cycle, see?

The next time you feel yourself getting ready to say these things, close your mouth and look at the situation. Is someone acting in a way that actually does make you think he has a mental illness? Maybe all he needs is someone to reach out and offer help. Or is the person merely acting in a way you don’t like or making decisions you don’t agree with? Maybe you just need to remove yourself from the situation.

You can stop others from promoting stigma, too. It is not a good idea to tackle the lady at Wal-Mart whom you overheard making fun of someone with a mental illness (though, I permit myself the occasional shooting of a dirty look – I’m an imperfect person, what can I say?), but it is a good idea to talk with your family, friends, and co-workers about such behavior. And don’t feel nervous about it or out of line. You’d defend your child if someone called him “stupid,” “ignorant,” or “ugly,” wouldn’t you? Then defend yourself, your loved ones, and others with mental health problems, too.

Keep in mind the best way to stop others from promoting stigma is to educate them about mental health and to let them know how their words and actions hurt others.

For example, if someone says, “That woman is a real nut job! She’s so bipolar I can’t stand to be around her!” you may reply with something like, “It’s not really our place to diagnose others, but if she really is struggling with bipolar-type symptoms, maybe we can help her find some resources? Or at the very least, not call her names that only make the situation worse. People don’t choose to have a mental illness, after all.”

Yeah, it sounds all textbookish and worthy of a Public Service Announcement, but calling someone out in calm and mature manner, and one that suggests you know what you’re talking about, really does work.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s information about mental health advocacy and research organizations, but in the meantime, share your thoughts here about stigma.

• Have you been guilty of promoting stigma?
• How have you tried to stop others from promoting stigma?
• What advice would you offer someone who comes face-to-face with degrading, stigma-promoting words or actions?

Image: SXC and duchesssa.

Post from: Blisstree

Stop Yourself And Others From Promoting Mental Health Stigma

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 experienced getting the affordable, high quality health care they need.

We want to make sure that politicians promoting solutions listen to your voice, not just the voices of the big money lobbyists representing the health care industry.

This campaign is interesting for all Americans, and Americans with mental health conditions are no exception. Prescription medications for mental health disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can cost hundreds of dollars a month – a big chunk of change, especially for someone who doesn’t have adequate health insurance (another problem many Americans with mental illnesses face).

The two videos my contact at the Consumers Union recommended are:

• The one from Tom, who along with his partner buys his own health insurance but was still going to have to pay $10,000 for a hip replacement (due to arthritis) and began experiencing depression from all the pain and hopeless feelings. Tom eventually waited until he was 65 and qualified for Medicare before having the hip replacement (he and his partner, who are potters – not of the Harry variety – realized they couldn’t make and sell enough pots to cover the cost of the surgery until then). He had waited so long, his muscles had began to atrophy.
• The one from Kathy, who can’t afford her diabetes medication on her Social Security income. She lost her health insurance after her husband retired and they divorced, and even the cost of her diabetes medication at Wal-Mart is over $200 a month. Kathy likens her situation to “committing suicide slowly.”

These stories are not only heartbreaking; they’re also close to each and every one of our homes. These people are your family members, friends, and neighbors. If they’re not you today, they could be you tomorrow.

I only just became familiar with the Cover America Tour this week, but I already love this campaign. These videos give faces and voices to statistics, making it harder to keep ignoring the problem of inadequate health insurance and high health care costs.

You can check out The Route to find out if the Cover America Tour is scheduled to stop in your area, share your story online, or read the Cover America Tour Blog to stay up to date with what’s going on. You can even submit your photo and receive a free Cover America Tour tee-shirt.

So what do you think about the Cover America Tour? Do you know anyone who’s participated, or have you participated in some way?

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Cover America Tour: Americans And The High Cost Of Health Care

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

Post from: Blisstree

Join The Latest DBSA Chat To Learn More About Online Support Groups

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 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s information about presidential candidate responses to a questionnaire on mental health. Check it out to find out how your candidate stands.)

The petition and Whole Health Campaign reminded me of another Mental Health America article I read not long ago: Vote for America’s Mental Health in 2008. In this article, Mental Health America points out that in order to make mental health a national priority, we need to “[r]aise the profile of mental health,” “[h]elp educate the candidates,” and “vote for the candidates who will deliver mental health reforms.” It also provides an “Action Checklist for the November Elections” that includes registering to vote, emailing candidates, and talking with friends and neighbors.

So, given this abundance of information and the rapidly approaching election in November, I’m wondering: How many of you have chosen your presidential candidate based largely on his platform regarding mental health?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Will Mental Health Play A Role In How You Vote This November?

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 at what’s been going on in the world of mental health this week.

This week at Mental Health Notes, I talked about going green for your mental health at Daily Tomorrow, talked about an interesting study regarding visual impairment and suicide risk, started a conversation about the idea of compassionate release for brain cancer patient and former Manson Family member Susan Atkins, introduced you to the Health & Wellness Channel’s newest blog about fitness, and passed along an update about Mental Health Parity.

In the world of mental health news, researchers at Yale believe there’s a connection between bullying and suicide (I believe it), researchers at Cambridge believe they can measure brain activity to help identify people at risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder, a couple of doctors whose names I can’t pronounce have found a partially shared genetic profile between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new research suggests tricyclic antidepressants increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and getting enough sleep is still good for your mental health – unless you count strokes as, you know, bad things.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America provides updates on both the 2008 Annual Conference Hill Day and the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit, both held back in June, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance published the DBSA e-Update July 2008, which contains more information about the Facing Us 2008 Music Contest and the addition of another speaker at the 2008 National Conference, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness announced the appearance of two NAMI members on The New York Times’s Patient Voices.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, it’s giveaways and contests galore! Both Healthbolt and Alzheimer’s Notes are hosting book giveaways this week, Daily Tomorrow is offering a chance to win a “Learn to Create a Healthy Home” CD, and Fertility Notes is having a drawing for a free Fertility Scope. Of course, there’s plenty of news, too. Kendra discusses the heart health benefits of being optimistic, and good ol’ Scott tackles the prevalence of eating disorders among men.

Of course, the best news of all is…Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 has given birth to her baby girl! Head on over and congratulate her!

And, that’s the end of another Saturday Sanity. Remember, if you have anything mental health-related to share for next week’s edition, send it my way. (You may want to include “Saturday Sanity” in the subject line so I’ll make sure to save it.)

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Slow Week For Mental Health Notes, But Not For Mental Health News