Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a very special day. Santa's sleigh is just around the corner, bearing reindeer and gifts. Anticipation of Christmas morning and Santa Claus's visit after everyone is snug in their beds with dreams of sugar plums dancing in their heads. It makes me grateful for all of the things that are special to me. Each moment and memory that is my own story in life, I am able to graciously forgive and gain peace.

The fireplace is rolling and brings warmth over hot cider and sugar cookies. Family and friends laugh and share stories over dinner. Christmas cards are on the mantle spreading joy and sentiments of love. The holly hangs over the door and couples share a kiss before entering. Angels light up the trees that are decorated so beautifully.

The elves are finishing wrapping the toys and the bells are jingling in the night. Spirits are as bright as the stars in the sky. Sweet moments and dinners are full of mirth. And Santa's silhouette shadows the winter moon as he as he yells Ho-Ho-Ho. Before he twinkles into your home with his sack full of goodies he smiles and gives a jolly laugh thinking of your surprise when you awake.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

12/19/12

In the spirit of Christmas warmth and good cheer is given in abundance around the world. Our traditions unite friends and families and even strangers. The Winter holidays strengthen compassion and hope among the many. The time is now more than ever to change the way that we treat one another and to make the change in the world that is so desperately needed. Supporting those that are suffering can not only make a difference in their lives but the lives of millions.

The families of the monstrosity that shook our nation and most of the world last Friday will never be forgotten. Families that are in need of support and comfort are feeling even lonelier and forlorn, for their losses in what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year. Those that already have a bleak outlook this time of year, due to the dismal weather and lack of support from any family or friends, leaves these people feeling like strangers in a strange land. Yet when a tragedy such as this occurs, it simply compounds the depressing events and reinforces that Christmas time is one of the most miserable times of the year. I have hopes that this horrible reality of the lost children and brave staff at the school will bring a togetherness that is very much needed.

If you or someone you know does not have a family to go to during the jolly holidays reach out to share the yule tide spirit of good cheer. If you are alone find strength with others that could benefit from friendship, sharing in peace and joy. There is no better example of such a hopeful holiday transformation then in Charles Dickens immortal classic, A Christmas Carol. Let warmth and compassion fill your heart this time of year, for there are many ways in which you can bring hope and bounty to the table of every Tiny Tim.

 

Lucinda

Sandy Hook shooting has the potential to further stigmatize mental illness

I,  like so many, are full of sorrow and unyielding emotion from this latest school shooting tragedy. Yes the shooter used his mother’s gun. Yes the shooter has a mental health problem. Yet some people and a wide range of the media quickly blame the mental illness. Do people not understand that the newscasters and reporters are now FURTHER stigmatizing mental illness by narrowing in on that fact?  The people with a mental illness, just like any facet of society,by majority are not violent. Most people with mental illness are, in fact, MORE likely to be victims of violence than the other way around. As a nation and as those who suffer from this affliction, we all mourn this recent tragedy, but perhaps now is the time when we should look at having an open and compassionate dialogue about mental illness? Maybe finally rid the world of the stigma that mental illness has – it is a BRAIN disease.  And just like any other ailment it is indiscriminate and hard to find a cure for.  If we as a nation realize this and not let blind rage dominate the view of a larger percentage of the population, then people would not feel scared or ashamed to get help. Maybe then people would be more likely to reach out to that person. People would be better educated about mental illness, it's prevention, and a real recovery method. Maybe people with mental illness wouldn’t feel so marginalized from mainstream society.

I should add that, of course, guns and other weapons should be more controlled and monitored.

-Heather Sugg 12.17.12

The Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy

Our hearts from NAMI-Charlotte go out to all affected by this National Tradegy to include Adam taking his life.

We understand that most all were children between 6 and 7 years old, a few were hero adults that all died.

Our USA, President Obama will go forward to Capitol Hill with his authority/power and address Mental Health in a way that has not been done in quite sometime. Watch your local news for more details.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy; NAMI Statement Includes Trauma Resources

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 14, 2012 -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has issued the following statement which includes recommended links to trauma resources for families:

"Like other Americans, NAMI is horrified and saddened by today's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As of Friday at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern), news reports indicated that close to 30 people were shot and killed, most of them children. We extend our sympathy to their families and to all who knew and loved them.

It is extremely important that the Newtown, Conn. community be prepared to provide trauma services and resources to all those affected by the tragedy. Our national community must do so as well. The tragedy will inevitably leave an impression on many children. Parents and caregivers throughout the country will need to reassure them.

American Psychiatric Association recommendations include:

• Create an open and supportive environment where children know they can ask questions.
• Give honest answers and information. Use words and concepts they can understand.
• Help children to find ways to express themselves and to know that people are there to help. Remember also that children learn by watching parents and teachers react and listening to their conversations.
• Don't let children watch too much television with frightening repetitious images.
• Monitor for physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches or other pains.

Additional resources are also available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS), the University of Maryland Center for School Mental Health (CSMH) and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

NAMI will follow news reports closely as more details become known. It is important to not make assumptions or speculate in such cases. The overall contribution of mental disorders to the total level of violence in society is exceptionally small.

When tragedies occur, no matter what their nature or cause, national, state and local communities must come together to find out what went wrong and to take steps to ensure it does not happen again. We expect such scrutiny to occur in days and weeks ahead. Today, however, is a time to mourn and pray for the victims of a senseless act and for their survivors. As a nation, we must reassure each other."

NAMI education and support groups

12/15/12

I didn't know what to expect before I went to my first NAMI meeting. I only knew that I had heard wonderful things about NAMI's peer education programs and wanted to help to make a difference in the way people view and manage mental illness. In my 19 years of living with bi-polar disorder I have never felt so much real support or true understanding and compassion for what I have been through then as at the meeting. I was so relieved and comforted by the solutions proposed for the recovery obstacles that we face with our illness. I am also extremely passionate about helping to educate and inform people that are suffering and their families that there is hope. It is important to me to create a new mindset and set of skills for people that have been diagnosed, those that are on their treatment team, and the people that are the first responders for our lives. But I also feel that educating everyone, and not just the people who see it everyday is important. I had never heard of bipolar disorder until I was diagnosed. After I was diagnosed my life changed for the worse for many years. Not only did I have to deal with my own lack of understanding, but I also had to deal with those that I worked with, went to school with, and even those that I loved. I believe with all of my heart in the things that were mentioned in the educational group led by Dr. Stephen. I have dealt with Dr.s that were hopeless and I have had a support network that doesn't know how to help and I have also been lost without a flashlight when dealing with my own illness. I have also learned through many trials and tribulations that there is a way to manage bi-polar with the steps that he mentioned. I am now a personal trainer and nutrition consultant. I also have a healthy support network, goals, a routine, a recovery plan and many other tools that help me in my wellness. A few years ago my friend Kelsey gave me her (WRAP) wellness and recovery action plan to me. It was like having a road map. I was able to see the importance of setting small goals figuring out what my triggers are and the tools to deal with my diagnosis. It also helped me to put things in perspective and see what I was doing right and what I needed to do more of. I wish that everyone had access to these tools especially when trying to learn ways to manage their illness. The Dr. also spoke of something tonight that gives my reason for coming in an explanation. That something is purpose. I have no doubt that it is my purpose to help others that share our journey and all of humanity to eliminate the stigma and empower those that have been through the horrors of mental illness.

First Blog

12/13/12  Introduction to the Charlotte community and supporters of NAMI

My blogger name is Lucinda  and I am respectfully, the designated blogger for the Charlotte NAMI website. I was appointed this position and hope to fulfill it to the best of my ability and share with all of you, my life and points in recovery that I face each and every day. I will begin this blog to the community and supporters by telling you a little bit about me and giving a summary of my history. It is hard to summerize the last 18 years in a so very few words so rather, let this be my introduction. I have so many experiences to share with you and I hope that one day you will share yours with me.

 Some of you may identify with parts of my story but all of you have your own story and many more, I am sure. I am a not so normal 33 year old living in Charlotte NC. I have bipolar disorder and was first hospitalized when I was 15 years old. I believe, it all started with my drug addiction and truancy from school.

My parents divorced when I was 8 and and I lived alone with my father until I was 11. Then I moved in with my mother. My mother did everything that she could to provide for my younger brother and I and worked a lot. I shut my father out of my life because I was beginning to identify again, with my peers, my new family. My peers were my age and had problems of their own.

After a few years of dabbling in drugs and dismissing school as it didn't seem important at the time, my mother made me move back in with my father who was living in Columbus Ohio. I didn’t adjust very well, although for a time I went to school and made the honor roll and stopped doing drugs, I missed my old friends. I visited them after 2 years in Ohio and did drugs again and gained my first hospitalization. I was diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis NOS and PTSD.

During the rest of my high school career I was unable to cope with my new life and medication that I had to take to be well. I searched for the person I used to be and tried to find the social groups that I used to fit into. I fell into my old ways and I was hospitalized 12 more times for mania and once for severe depression and a suicide attempt before I dropped out of high school two years later.

For the next six years I relapsed with various new drugs and abusive relationships that I used to nullify my illness. I was hospitalized many more times for mania and had a second suicide attempt under my belt and knew that I had to leave Columbus, Ohio to get better. I was not running away from my problems but I needed a new beginning as we often do when life gets the best of us. I moved to Charlotte, NC and for the first time gained my independence working as a dancer. I stayed hospital free for 5 years. I gained my confidence and self esteem back and was on my way to recovery.

Dancing was a double edged sword. Although it was liberating, it brought about a new slew of problems to be dealt with. I became an alcoholic which was something that I didn't realize until the end of that career. I guess when I realized it was time to get out, I knew that it was going against my morals and values and I wanted to have a real relationship. Getting married was something that I would never be able to do that while in such a bad environment. Well, the epiphany that I was an alcoholic actually came later when I landed my dream job working as a deckhand aboard a 220 ft. mega yacht in Ft. Lauderdale. It got me fired.

Luck had it that when I returned to Charlotte I met my lovely life partner and we got married two years later. Our road has had it's ups and downs and I have been in the hospital for work related stress since our wedding. I am still recovering and I recognize a lot more about my bipolar than what I used to. This blog is meant for friends families and those who suffer from mental illness as an encouragement to know that you are not alone with the trials that you face. Sometimes it may seem like you are swimming upstream but to use a little nautical terminology you must tack against the wind , slow and steady to the left and right and you will eventually reach your destination.

God Bless You all and Happy Holidays. I hope this blog finds you in safety and peace. I will be returning with a new entry very soon.

Yours Truly,

Lucinda