One Voice 4 Mental Health Awareness: Destroying the stigma by taking action

by

Lisa Mitchell

As a writer, I receive endless emails asking me to write about various causes and action groups. I admit, I tend to be choosy. If I find a group is too self -serving, I won't write about it. It should be about the greater good, not ones self- interest. Then I met Lisa Mitchell.

Lisa Mitchell is an advocate for mental health tolerance on a global level. Her group "One Voice 4 Mental Health Awareness," strives to create acceptance of all forms of mental illness, by abolishing the stigma that goes with it. It touched a nerve with me. Stigma. How I hate that word!

I never liked labels. Any kind of labels. A human being is much more then one compartment of their being. But as Lisa is trying to explain, we do get caught up in other people's perceptions. I understand that not everyone is willing to be free enough to put themselves out there. Lisa has. I applaud her for it.

Mental health is on the bottom of the totem pole for funds and research. It's always been that way. It just never made sense to me. If a person who is suffering trom, say, depression seeks treatment and moves on with their life, then they will be less of a drain on society down the road. Without treatment, your doomed to spiral down a path of darkness and self-destruction. How does this make sense?

In Lisa Mitchell's own words: "I support ALL issues that affect our mental state. Each one deserving support, respect and dignity. My dream is to gathering ALL challenges so their voice can be heard. If we join 2gether WE can make change possible as "One Voice" the voice of unconditionally LOVE!"

"If given the chance to raise the awareness on a global magnitude. I promise that Mental Illness Awareness will NO longer be a stigma. We need people of influence to be our champion. We need media coverage to stop the shame, blame and stigma. We need to join together as one voice for that change. We Can change this. There is enough of us to make a difference but we must join together."

And join together we shall. For any Facebook users you can join Lisa's group which is growing daily by using this link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=251621098664&v=wall Or simply put "One Voice" 4 Mental Health Awareness in the search box which will also take you there.

On her Facebook page there is also petitions to sign and mental health bracelets and products you can purchase to help the cause. Here is that link: http://www.awarenessdepot.com/mentalhealthbraceletonevoice.html

As a mental health advocate myself, I think that Lisa Mitchell is doing a superb job getting the word out. From one Lisa to another, you make me very proud. Keep up the good fight!

For anyone who needs local help for depression here in West Palm Beach, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is located in Lake Worth, Florida. Their local # (561) 588-3477. They can also help you with any questions or referrals you may need.

My Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Email me anytime. Tell us your story. Subscribe to my columns.