Are any of you familiar with Second Life? I know, I know, I can be really behind sometimes – I just discovered it a few months ago. I’m not a member yet, so to find out more about Second Life you should check out the Web site’s What is Second Life? and FAQs sections; however, simply put, “Second Life is a 3D digital world imagined and created by its Residents.”

So, why am I talking about Second Life on a mental health blog? The answer to that is interesting indeed.

A few days ago I received an email from an employee with The National Council letting me know about – well, actually, she explains it better than I can:

The National Council is the first organization of its kind in the United States to offer mental health and addictions awareness and support virtually using the technology of Second Life. The National Council created an office on an island in Second Life called Nonprofit Commons and uses the space to build community among those with mental illness and addiction disorders and those who care for them. Second Lifers get the benefit of in-person education and engagement that helps them better manage the challenges they face, knowing they are not alone. They are connected to resources for employment, comprehensive care, and grassroots advocacy to lobby for increased access to effective mental healthcare.

How cool is that?!

Aside from visiting The National Council’s Web site, you can also visit On Our Minds to learn more about The National Council and their virtual office at Second Life. And, if you’re already a Second Lifer, you can visit the virtual office now.

Sure, online mental health support groups and other resources are readily available; however, I think creating a virtual mental health-related office in an extremely popular virtual world is just, well, awesome. The National Council has just taken a giant leap toward closing the gap between mental health resources and folks who, for whatever reason, don’t have access.

The Internet can be amazing, no? So can passionate and caring mental health advocates.

Image source and credit.

Post from: Blisstree

National Council Uses Second Life For Mental Health Advocacy