Thank you so much.

Volunteer, Mental Health Camp, http://www.mentalhealthcamp.org/ See guest blog written for Mental Health Camp here: http://www.mentalhealthcamp.org/diagnosis-stigma-loneliness-and-hope/

Treasurer, Lord Tennyson Quebec 2009

Board Member & Volunteer, Here Be Monsters Collective (http://www.herebemonsters.ca/)

Volunteer Meal Server, Harbour Light (Salvation Army)

Mother, 12yo daughter

Also, as someone with a mental illness, my true area of expertise is the system. I have had to research and find ways to secure disability, to try to find housing, to access medical and psychiatric programs and help, and to deal with the Ministry of Children and Families. I am an expert on waiting lists, on finding programs, and on being a parent with a mental illness trying to find support for both myself and my daughter. See CBC article entailing my experiences as a mother with a mental illness here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/11/03/bc-momstigma.html

I am an active social media user, who has used social media to make mental health contacts, broadcast and receive information, and advocate on behalf of myself and others. I would love the opportunity to be able to serve the CMHA BC Division through use of social media and online communication.

Opportunities

• Vancouver 2010 – increased focus on our area of the world
• Online community/social media – Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online communities, etc – Excellent (but currently almost unused) resource for creating valuable contacts, information exchange and advocacy
• Increased cooperation and collaboration with Branches
• Strategic partnerships
• Braid Inquiry / Topic of Tasers used on those with (or with perceived) mental health issues – Build on this for awareness and advocacy against taser use on those with mental illness
• Economic downturn – More opportunities to address unique challenges and successes of employee well-being in a high stress, high-profile workplace.

Challenges

• Funding – increased need combined with decline in available funds
• Overcoming stigma
• Public perception
• Economic downturn

1)      supporting the critical mission of the CMHA in BC

2)      providing a broad look at the big picture

3)      planning, perspective and support in terms of direction

3)      delegating to management the responsibilities for day-to-day operations

4)      advocating for changes to legislation and policy

5)      monitoring and systemic advocacy in the reform of the mental health care system, as well as in community-based research and evaluation, employment supports, public education, and branch support in BC

I am a production assistant for a Vancouver voice company and a freelance writer. I have a BA in language, a diploma in professional writing and have started a master’s degree in publishing. My background is in social media, teaching, communications, publishing and research.

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder II. I have struggled with misdiagnoses, waiting lists for psychiatrists and treatment programs, and worst of all, stigma. Last year, my life came crumbling down when I was taken off my medication by a neurologist and ended up in hospital.

I fought hard to get my life back. I have gone through the system and suffered even more greatly for it. I want to be a voice for those who don’t have one. I want to make the worst part of having a mental illness, the illness itself. Not the stigma, the health care system, the government, being homeless or being alone.

My experience in social media and online organizing can help the Board successfully plan and execute online strategies. But even more, I offer experience in having a mental illness and in dealing with the systems set up in our province to support mental health consumers.

I know it would be AWESOME if I was posting a call for board members for the tofufighting board and we could meet for drinks monthly and plan my life (actually, seriously, I should get on organizing that soon)! BUT, in fact, I have decided to apply to be a Board Member on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. They are currently seeking candidates for three positions on their BoD. If this interests you too, deadline for submissions is 4pm on June 5, 2009 and nomination packages are available here: http://cmha.bc.ca/files/NominationPackage2009.pdf

I have done a lot of volunteer work yet I have never sat on a board, but this is something about which I am very passionate and I would love the opportunity to contribute my time, skills and insights at a level that can actually institute CHANGE. That said, I have never nominated myself for anything, much less than to sit on a Board. This year the Nominating Committee is seeking a range of nominees, including nominees with “direct experience as a person with mental illness,” so I have decided that now is the time to nominate myself.

I would love feedback from anyone else who has gone through such an experience and will be blogging my way through the nomination package over the next few days.

Welcome.  Let me introduce myself. But not one of those introductions where the speaker (or in this case blogger) takes up all the time talking about themselves and then only has like 5 min left for what they were actually supposed to talk (or blog) about. But wait. In this blog, I AM supposed to talk about myself, so ha! Consider it one long introduction; actually I’m hoping to learn a thing or two about myself in the process.

So, who am I?

Mother of 12-year-old daughter. Dog Mama of Esther the porkie (Pekingese/Yorkie). Vancouver Liver (now West End Liver, to be precise). Formerly of book and magazine publishing. Formerly of post-secondary education. Former dog walker/pet sitter. Former pole dance instructor. Former volleyball player. Former marathon runner. Former life partner to two different men at two different times <insert ironic snort here>. Now of voice production. And of mental health advocacy. Oh, and of awesomeness.

You may know me as @tofufighting.