“Nothing is at last sacred, but the integrity of your own mind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each day we awake to find what we must manage to continue. Some days bright, some days dark. Our minds whirl to keep us going …eating, working, playing, sleeping. It is this integrity of our mental well-being that challenges us through the journey of life. For many, the challenge of the day, never mind life’s journey, is overwhelming. Even the simple tasks can evade one.
How does one find the support and care for themselves or their loved ones? What are the resources available? Where does one find help? Who can one speak to? When does one seek help for their own well-being, a family member or a friend? The questions flood the mind. Treating a broken arm or an infection is relatively easy. The steps are there. But what about a confused mind or a lost soul?
On May 9th, in the midst of Mental Health Week, several speakers are coming together to share stories of the journeys they are living. Their experiences of youth, friends, families and systems shaken by the complexities of the mind. Solutions, answers, therapies differ for every person. Each person speaks to how this struggle came and continues to be a part of their daily life.
The speakers are extraordinary women and men who through many years have managed their own well-being in the midst of a challenging, changing and relatively unknown treatment and management options.
Emily Olsen continues her journey as woman, wife, mother and poet, managing to nourish those around her while finding her own path. Emily has been living with mental illness for 25 years. Recently, she decided to start talking about her experience publicly to be part of a more open conversation about mental health and wellness.
Daisy Anderson is someone who has seen it all and shares the lifelong challenges of systems, drugs, therapies through her book, The Daisy Project. Her story, both as a consumer and survivor, of the mental health system challenges the idea that drugs and psychiatry are the only way to deal with mental health issues. Her story will warn, inform and inspire anyone who might identify with her experiences.
Ryan Painter is writer and mental health activist. Like other young men, he has grown up with our society’s toxic messages about what it means to be a “real man”. In his darkest time, dealing with both depression and the weight of society’s expectation that “boys don’t cry” threatened to overwhelm him. A decade after his lowest point, Ryan is now comfortable with who he is and is continuing his journey forward.
Join these amazing people speaking their minds at the Mary Winspear Centre on Wednesday, May 9th 7PM. Come listen to the journeys, explore questions and share understanding.
Mental Health: Citizens Speaking their Minds
7PM May 9, 2018
Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney BC
Hello Steve,
I just emailed my editor about this event and told her why I thought it is so important. First, those “impacted” or” consumers” of the system are speaking. Second, it is professionally managed, [It is not uncommon for us to speak in basements, for example.] Third it is independent of gov’t, big pharma and the psychiatric system. In my experience, such events are highly unusual and exactly what is needed. All I can say is a BIG THANK YOU to those working so hard to make it happen!