November 13th – – Health and Wellness

　Mental Health

By Sandy Rodgers

The first three days of April 2009 I was in the picturesque mountains of North Georgia at Unicoi State Park located in Helen. The scenery was spectacular and although it was rather cool, cloudy and raining, I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in Helen.

My reason for going was to attend the Georgia Peer Support Institute hosted by Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. Dominique, a Certified Peer Specialist had facilitated at Common Ground in March and advised us of the event. I was excited and wanted to attend. Never really understanding why the drive was so strong, just accepting that the energy I experienced meant I was to go and participate.

I was gifted in such an awesome manner that words are almost inadequate to describe what I received while there. I will do my best to impart some of the learnings from the group and my own personal growth.

First of all the facility was warm and friendly, the food was extraordinarily delicious. I consumed more food in three days than I would normally eat in an entire week. I just could not help myself it was just so good, ‘Kudos’ to the cooks at Unicoi State Park Lodge.

The presenters of the Seminar were phenomenal and each very passionate about the work they do. The sincerity with which the material was presented touched my heart. I learned so much more than I ever thought possible, not for any particular reason. I was completely open and receptive to all the information being delivered to the group. As I remained in this state of awareness, I was able to glimpse into a spectrum of the human experience with a different set of lenses.

I am a better person who serves humanity because of the Institute. The incredible persons who attended were all consumers of Mental Health services. As I sat among the group not feeling that I honestly belonged there, I remembered my personal journey of having been diagnosed with ‘depression’. And although that was twenty years ago I was happy that I truly did belong. Each person had the opportunity to share their personal story with all the challenges of being a consumer of Mental Health services. Yet the more I thought about this concept, the more I realized that the majority of people will experience at some time in their lives a need to avail themselves to the professional mental health practitioner; especially when one is totally involved with their overall health and not just the physical part. I remember the difficulty I had when being treated for mental illness and Dr. Schmidt advised me that people fail to take seriously the illness because they cannot see it visually with their eyes. He said “When a person cannot see a problem, like with a broken bone, they are less likely to accept or expect help.” My defenses were lessened by the excellent treatment I received back in the 1980’s.

How many people suffer in silence due to the stigmas associated with mental illness? How many people who are diagnosed are afraid to discuss it openly with family and friends? How many will never go or seek professional help? Well the answers may never be known in totality but from the stories shared far too many are suffering due to lack of correct information.

I fell in love with all of the participants, each so unique and prepared to take the necessary action to improve the delivery of service and to make a positive difference with their peers and in the community at large. I was proud to be included with this amazing group!