‘No need to hide’ from mental illness, says stomp designer

"The stigma often related with mental illness is very real," said Blatnicki. "Many people with mental illnesses are afraid to share their condition with other people for fear of mockery or judgment. The stigma is so real, in fact, many will avoid telling friends or family of their mental condition." More than 300 designs were submitted for the contest. A panel of judges and the stamp ¬advisory committee selected the top five submissions that best reflected the stamp's mission: to lift ¬awareness of the mental health issue and break down the stigma attached to it.

But it's up to Canadians to choose which design becomes official postage, and they have until March 14 to vote for their favourite submission. "I was very impressed by the quality of the designs we were asked to review," Jim Phillips, Canada Post director of stamp services, said in a release. One dollar from the sale of every 2011 mental health stamp booklet goes to support the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, which has raised more than $4.8 million since 2008. Blatnicki is no stranger to mental illness and its collision on lives. He works at mindyourmind.ca, a non-profit mental health engagement program that works with youth and professionals to develop resources and message platforms surrounding mental health.

Advocates shove to Keep Mental Health Court Funding

Six years ago, former corrections officer Mark Burchell was so ill from bipolar disorder that he imagined himself as a military general out to save the world. In reality, he was an unwashed, stubbly homeless man searching out bus shelters and still-warm car hoods to sleep on at night.

The habit earned him stay after stay in jail until he was admitted to Nevada's ground-breaking Mental Health Court system, which steered him to stability and ultimately, a post as president of the Nevada chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Burchell is now fighting to save the life of the program, which would be moved under Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed budget from the state's authority and made the responsibility of cash-strapped counties who say they can't afford it.

Mental illness survive

An agency may have been less than simple with North Canton residents about plans for a building on N. Main Street. Will it house only low-income military veterans? Or will it also house people who have a mental illness? Officials of ICAN Housing Solutions say they want to convert the Harleigh Inn into apartments for veterans. Their website, however, refers only to people with mental health issues. This confusion caused a great deal of anxiety at a City Council meeting last week. Ultimately, though, that issue misses the point.

Some residents and city officials quickly assumed the nastiest about having people with mental illness as neighbors, predicting “the downfall of North Canton” and “a drain on city services,” presumably police. Have they seen the studies that disperse the stereotypes about mental illness and violence? Would they object to having a military veteran who is mentally ill as a neighbor? Would they rather see people with mental illness living on the street, or would they just prefer that they live in someone else’s community? While few people would consciously turn their backs on military veterans, why would they feel any less worry for the well-being of others with mental illness? Because stereotypes and stigmas die hard.

Mentor Schools team to form student mental health Maintain groups

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and Adviser High School has joined to form two new support groups for students impacted by mental illness. This is the first time an Ohio high school and a NAMI chapter have partnered on a school-based support group for students, officials said. “E!” maintains group is for students who have a diagnosed mental illness. The group’s name stands for empowerment.


The “Pillars of Strength” support group is for students who have a friend or family member with a Mental health. Christi Farmer of NAMI and Christie Graf, school social worker for Mentor Schools, will facilitate the support groups. “We’re thrilled to be able to collaborate with the school on this project,” Farmer said. “The high school years can be tense for any student. “When you add a mental illness to the list of stressors, that can take things to a complete new level.”

Advocates rally for SC mental health subsidy

Advocates from across South Carolina are rallying for enhanced mental health treatment in the face of budget cuts. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is helping coordinate a rally on Wednesday at the Statehouse in Columbia. Organizers say they're trying to draw attention to funding for mental health treatment in South Carolina. NAMI says mental illness affects about one sector of South Carolinians during a year.

Create consciousness on mental health

Infosys mentor Narayana Murthy today urged India''s premier mental health institution NIMHANS to play a lively role in disseminating information on mental health and illness and to help eliminate the fear and stigma associated with it. Speaking at a function to mark NIMHANS (National Institutte of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) 37th year, he said the institute should carry out an awareness campaign to help people realise that such illnesses could be treated. He also strongly advocated use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions to take mental health care to the rustic masses.

'We obtain crazy'upsets mental health advocates

Mental health care advocates say a high school dance custom called "We Get Crazy" is disturbing and insensitive. Waunakee's High School's varsity dance team had costumes that resembled straitjackets with the words "Psych Ward." The dancers messed their hair, put on black eye structure and snarled through their routine. It was too much for advocates for the mentally ill. Wisconsin Family Ties executive director Hugh Davis says the routine evokes painful memories for some. The team's coach, Erin Cotter, says she's taken back by the reaction to the hip-hop routine. Cotter says the aim was to get fans energized; it wasn't about mental illness.