Description

Community Education about Recovery from Mental Illness
By Megan H. Luttrell

            Since its start in 2001, the Mental Health Education Initiative’s (MHEI) speakers bureau has been spreading awareness and understanding in the Chittenden County area. Since its founding, the organization has provided speakers on mental health for community groups. Now affiliated with Fletcher Allen Healthcare’s Community Health Improvement Program, MHEI’s goal is to promote understanding within the community, as well as inspire hope for people’s recovery.
            Mental illness is widely misunderstood. Therefore, the program provides speakers for a variety of groups and organizations. Speakers have made appearances at libraries, retirement communities, colleges and graduate schools, hospital psychiatric wards, spiritual organizations, civic groups, the UVM medical school, and more.
People who experience a disability are the most effective speakers and are extremely influential in helping others overcome misunderstandings and stigmatizing attitudes. It has proved tremendously beneficial for students training to become mental health professionals to hear the stories of individuals who have combated mental illness or who are still in the recovery process. Hearing these first hand accounts gives mental illness a human face, one of the goals of MHEI. A person once referred to, as “a schizophrenic” will now be viewed as a unique individual who happens to be diagnosed with a mental illness. Other speakers include mental health professional, family members and friends – those who offer support to those with psychiatric conditions.
            People with mental illnesses benefit greatly when they hear first hand accounts of others with mental illness that are in a high degree of recovery. They can see recovery on the horizon: an obtainable result.
            An audience member wrote, “The speakers conveyed new hope and encouragement. I gained insight on persistence, determination, and creativity. Our speaker was an excellent example of life expressing itself despite obstacles.”
            The recovery process is complex and is unique for each individual. A person who is ruled by uncontrollable emotions and thoughts must have hope that a new life is possible. Medication and meeting with a therapist is not the solution in its entirety. The professionals and the patients must work hard together to overcome fear and grief over loss of self-power. The patient must work hard as well. “We must take some risks,” said Joan Knight, founder of MHEI, we must “dare to move in a new direction, even when we don’t think we can.” The recovery process is one of trial and error; a lot of self-help is involved.
Most people don’t understand the causes of mental illness. The mind is shaped continually by our genetic makeup, our experiences, overall health, and learned life skills. Changes in one’s environment can greatly influence our mental health. Going outside, exercising, talking with others, getting more sleep, as well as proper nutrition can aid the body and the mind. Everyone’s experiences and lives are different, and therefore the road to recovery is unique. MHEI is trying to help others understand this concept in order to aid more people in finding the best way to reach mental health.
            Awareness is everything. These speakers inform people about a subject that does not get the attention it should. Mental illness is a mystery to many. Fear can hinder understanding and recovery. “Jane was very casual, comfortable and inspiring. She has a calm, gentle style of speaking and her message of hope comes through every word.” MHEI speakers open the door of information that had before been closed to many, leaving them scared and in the dark. Audience members discover they are not alone.           
            Last year MHEI speakers gave forty-nine presentations to twenty different audiences. Each presentation is followed open dialogue and feedback, which tells the speakers what they did best and how to improve.
            The group is always looking for more venues for presentations. The Mental Health Education Initiative has been providing awareness and inspiring hope in Chittenden County since 2001 and is helping to create a new and more accepting view of people who struggle with severe mental and emotional challenges.