Tag Archives: Politicians

It’s Been A Good May Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today has been a great day. I, of course went to my job interview. I feel like I nailed it. It well off really well or I thought it did.

Another thing I did today was meet with one of the politicians that serves the area I live in. I discussed with him about the recovery and peer support. He appeared highly interested in both. In fact our meeting last about an hour.

When I got home I emailed my other politicians about the same thing I discussed with the politician I met with today. Except I left it short and sweet. It is my hope that I can meet up with one more politician before the end of May but I know realistically won’t happen.

Thank you for reading. I feel satisfied with what I did for May Day 2018. Peace Out, World!!!

May Day Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! This post is different from my last post. I won’t be discussing my job interview nor the anxiety that goes with it. The exception is that it is part of my May Day plans. A minor part of my May Day plans.

Not only is today May Day but it is the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. So, as many people protest and/or march for whatever reason they choose to; I am not going to do either. I am going to be emailing my politicians about mental health and set up meetings with them for sometime this month if they are able to do so. In fact I already have a meeting with my state senator today after my job interview. It was kind of a fluke on how it happened but it happened it is scheduled for the first day of Mental Health Awareness month. What better what to start the month that meeting with your state senator than to discuss mental health and the service people need. As I mentioned earlier I also am emailing my other politicians and hope to plan a meeting with them for sometime this month. Realistically, I know it might not happen but it sure is worth a try especially since it is mid-term election year.

So here is to being able to educate politicians about mental health even if it is through email. Have a great day. Happy May Day and Peace Out, World!!!

11 O’clock New Turned Off & Back To Reading

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I was watching the eleven o’clock news and realized I needed to turn it off. I’m getting sick and tired of hearing about President Trump and how much of a jerk he is. I don’t understand why he thinks everything is fake news. Granted the news can hold some things back or misinform however if all news sources but one are “fake” then something is not right with President Trump. I have a few friends who call Trump, President Cheetohead and I have to agree I can Mr. Trump that on occasion.

If it wasn’t for all the negative news about Trump I wouldn’t have turned of the news as I’m getting tired of his derogatory comments. I turned off the news and started reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. I am really enjoying this book. It appears that I’m going to be reading the next book in the trilogy which is called Mad Ship. I am so grateful that when the new becomes triggering that I can turn it off and do something else like reading.

Thank you for reading. Its greatly appreciated. Have a good night and I hope you sleep well. Peace out, World!!!

Becoming an Advocate For Mental Illness

Posted on by Gertie

     Today, I’ve been thinking a great deal about advocacy and mental illness. How does one become an advocate for those who struggle with a mental illness. Usually it’s because the person themselves struggles with mental illness or has a friend or loved one with a mental illness. Then their are those people who choose to be advocates for the mentally ill out of the kindness of their hearts. Most of those who do it out of the kindness of their hearts are usually the professionals like Social Workers, Therapist, Psychologists, etc.. Advocacy for mental health has been out there in world for a while now

     I’ve always been an advocate for myself and my mental health struggles even if I wasn’t aware of it especially in the early years of the diagnosis’s as well as in the height of my struggles with mental illness. It wasn’t until the last two or three years that I’ve realized that I was advocating for other with mental illness and was good at it. In fact the being good at it part was pointed out to me. The realization of advocating for those with mental illness is part of the reason why I started volunteering at a homeless shelter that specializes in those who struggle with mental illness and/or drug & alcohol addictions. Plus the advocating realization is the reason why I got my Peer Counselor certification. Being a peer counselor is basically being an advocate for them and showing your fellow peer who is struggling how to advocate for themselves. I may not be employed as a peer counselor yet but that doesn’t mean I cant still advocate for those who are not able to advocate for themselves yet.

    That is why I have decided to embark on a new journey. Well it’s not so much a new journey but a continuation of the journey I’m already on. I mailed in a volunteer application to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). I also emailed a volunteer application to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). I did this because I want to speak up for those who are not able to speak up for themselves. I know it might sound like I am taking a lot on especially since I got an email about an hour ago saying that my volunteer application for a local peer run Warm Line was received and asked to attend a training for it in late July through August but all this feel right for me at the moment. Yes, I’m working at a job I don’t like and am looking for a job as a peer counselor however all this that I am doing feels like its what I am suppose to be doing. Maybe it is a lot to take on at one time and its something to think about as well as discuss it with my therapist and other people in my life that support me. Yes, my boyfriend thinks I’m doing what is right for me and what is right for those who struggle with mental illness.

     Another thing I am going to be doing is writing the politicians who represent me and the area I live in. I’m hoping that the politicians I write or email will listen to what I have to say in regards to mental illness and treatment or in a lot of cases the lack of treatment. Lack of treatment is a big issue. Boarding in E.R’s have become a major issue for those who have been involuntarily committed because there are not enough beds. See, now I am getting on a soap box. This is why it is my hope that someone listens to people like me who want better mental health care for those struggling with mental illness.

     Now that I have bored you with my hopes regarding becoming an advocate for those who struggle with mental illness I am going to end this particular blog entry. I am sorry it is so long. It is my desire that some day the stigma that goes along with having a mental illness with be eliminated. Well, have a good rest of your Thursday evening and hope to blog again tomorrow. Peace out all.