|
|
SUMMER 2008 |
 |
|
Online Only
H E A L T H P R O
M O T I O N
Call for essays
combats stigma of mental illness
|
|
|
Stock Photo |
|
|
|
|
During Mental Health Week
2008 the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian Mental
Health Association, in partnership with Breakwater Books Ltd., issued a
call for essays on the experience of mental illness, stigma and recovery
in Newfoundland and Labrador.
|
|
|
|
By Heather Pollett |
|
During Mental Health Week 2008 (May
5th to 11th), the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Canadian
Mental Health Association (CMHA-NL), in partnership with Breakwater
Books Ltd., issued a call for essays on the experience of mental
illness, stigma and recovery in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mental health consumers, their families
and/or caregivers, service providers and others who have experience with
mental illness are invited to submit nonfiction, personal essays that
reflect the related challenges and barriers, as well as the hope,
recovery and resilience, of living with mental illness in our province.
Selected essays will be published together in a book, which will reflect
the diversity of our province and become the centerpiece to CMHA-NL’s
broader anti-stigma efforts.
Breakwater Books originally approached
CMHA-NL with the idea of partnering on this project in the summer of
2007. Since then, a steering committee comprised of representatives from
Eastern Health, the Discipline of Psychiatry - Faculty of Medicine at
Memorial, the Department of Health and Community Services, CHANNAL,
Schizophrenia Society of NL and the Pottle Centre has helped oversee the
development of the criteria and promote the project, and will guide the
essay selection process.
To combat the stigma of mental illness,
only writers who agree to have their names and locations published with
their essays will be considered for publication. Although we have come a
long way towards acceptance and openness, misconceptions about mental
illness still exist in our province, and the associated stigma poses a
considerable barrier to recovery for many people. By sharing the stories
of real people in our communities, written in their own voices, it is
hoped that the fear and shame that keeps mental illness hidden and
misunderstood will be eliminated.
The anticipated launch date of the book of
essays will coincide with Mental Illness Awareness Week in 2009.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be disbursed among the
community-based, non-profit mental health organizations that are
collaborating on this project. It is hoped that the book will appeal to
a general audience and serve as inspiration to those living with mental
illness and their families, as well as become required reading in
related post-secondary faculties and professional schools.
The deadline for submission of essays is
August 31, 2008. For full eligibility criteria and submission
instructions, or to download the application form, visit
Newfoundland and Labrador
Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association or e-mail
Heather Pollett or call her at
757-7217, toll free 1-866-509-3937.
Heather Pollett is a policy analyst with
the Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador
Division.
|
