Wow the Seceret is Out

I went to a talk earlier this month and BEHOLD a mental health professional with some mighty impressive credentials spoke the unspoken.

There is a correlation with psychotropic drugs and weight gain. Sure tests say it may be only 1-2 lbs a month but put that over a twelve month period...12-24 lbs. Then add some other drugs to the list each with weight gain as a side effect. Then remember most of us are on these drugs for years.

Not only did he mention the medication but other factors like diabetes, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease .... these are contributing factors. Plus you are probably taking mediation for that and they may have the same weight gain side effect.

He says psychiatrists get your scales out in the office and measure your patients girth. Prescribe some exercise too.

I am up over 200 pounds and it is a very hard battle to get the pounds to go in the right direction, down. I am glad someone finally is saying yes there is a connection here.

I Have Moved!

For personal reasons I have returned to Cape Cod. The campaign remains the same. If you need information in western PA please contact us at ugly.pin.campaign@gmail.com to be directed to the Representative in that area.

W are compiling our newsletter mailing list. I prefer to end out "hard copies" so please send us your mailing address as soon as possible. We still have time for a few more entries in our upcoming newsletter. Please we are interested in what you have to say. Send us an email at the address above. INFORMATION IS KNOWLEDGE

Can You Believe This?

It was reported that a Stonington, Conn. police officer "dumped a person he believed had mental illness on the streets of New London". The officer reported that it did not matter where in New London he left the man because he was "crazy" and we don't need him in Stonington.

That is wrong in so many different ways. As a matter of fact you can run into people with mental illness every day and not even know it. What would have happened if the police officer dropped off someone suffering from a heart ailment? What is the difference, both diseases are biologically based?

Things like this still happen because the stigmas are socially accepted views of the mentally ill.

How backwards is that especially compared to the new positive trend called; crisis intervention teams where they train police officers to deal with mental illness calls.

Lets work for the better and fight the ignorance of views similar to the one held by that Stonington police officer.

Edvard Munch's painting "The Scream" is done in the Expressionist style. Within this style the paintings are intense, passionate and highly personal.

All of us need to reach out and heal our "screams" and "pain". Awareness for Mental Health can begin to free those who suffer; by stopping the myths, misconceptions and stigmas that stop the healing process.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION

There is a new trend in law enforcement. Working with the mental health communities law enforcement are beginning to train officers to deal with mental health calls.

We are looking for information, experience and thoughts about this new and important trend. If you have any information for us please email us at:ugly.pin.campaign@gmail.com or leave your information in the comment section of this website.

NOT JUST A PIN!

You're are not just buying a pin. You're making a statement that you want to end the misconceptions, myths and stigmas about mental illness!

We can make a strong impact against the myths

The more of use who join together the louder our voice will be. Ask how you can join the campaign to end the stigmas.

Uniting Together

Think of the Awareness for Mental Health Ugly Pin as the "Pink Ribbon" of the mental health community.

Everyone is talking about the stigmas we all face. What would happen if we all came together? What an impact we would make!

If you would like a copy of our newsletter please email your request and address to: ugly.pin.campaign@gmail.com

Can we afford to keep th media's portrayal of the mentally ill?

Remember this one? How about the portrayal in "Girl Interrupted'?
Is the media's portrayal accurate?

Arm yourself with the facts, then use your knowledge to educate others and reach out to those around you with mental illness. Understanding and support are powerful, and they can make a real difference in the life of a person who needs them.

Misconceptions about mental illness contribute to the stigma, which leads to many people to be ashamed and prevents them from seeking help.

Tolerance of Mental Illness has not increased

According to the new study from Dr.Jason Scnittker, shows that while, more Americans believe that mental illness has genetic causes, the nation is no more tolerant of the mentally ill than it was 10 years ago.

The study explores tolerance in terms of social distancing: unwillingness to live next door to a mentally ill person, have a group home for the mentally ill in their neighborhood, spend an evening socializing with a mentally ill person, work closely with such a person on a job, make friends with someone with a mental illness or have a mentally ill person marry into the family.
published in the journal Social Science and medicine

HOW CAN I HELP?

TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AND SPREAD THE WORD SEND AN EMAIL TO:ugly.pin.campaign@gmail.com

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN AND END THE MYTHS!

A new campaign has hit the mental health community! The "Awareness for Mental Health Ugly Pin Campaign". Be the first in your community to wear the pin.

Lets get talking and dispel the misconceptions, myths and stigmas associated with mental illness. Don't be bound by the media's portrayal of the mental health consumer.

Lets bring our voices together and let everyone know that mental health consumers are important and successful members of every community.

BE A VOICE! WEAR THE PIN!