mental health system !

Hi, i'm bella celestina.
Now I have a purpose for posting today, that is or maybe of interest to you. Read along and if you feel like sharing, together I believe we can make a difference. I can't change the system by myself. I need help your help/ and your friend's/family's help too.

I have had bi-polar disorder since I was 13. I didn't accept it till I was 21! So you can imagine all the ups and downs I had during high school and most of college. I finally "broke" (had to be hospitalized) during my third year of college. I did not want to live another day...

With good meds and a good psychartist- I have been on the road of recovery since 2001. I attend support groups twice a month. I see a med nurse once a month to check in and alter or continue meds. I taught a course this fall called "peer to peer" to 9 people with mental issues. I am a member of the national alliance for the mentally ill (nami), in fact another nami member suggested I "comb" the bulletin boards to be another means of support for myself and the person I am corrosponding to.

Yet, my main concern about wanting to post is I want to know how my "peers" or how you are doing in the mental health system since budgets have been cut so drastically. I know two people who have been discharged from the community health center under the pretence that they were "better." does one ever get better from a mental illness? I plan to send our nameless "experiences" to legislatures across the country in hopes they can see the positive and negative sides of services provided. My hope is to let them know mental health needs funding, or else!



Just to let you know I have gotten over 10 replies via my "hotmail" account. This free web account does not sell addresses. Please note: I am not taking a survey, hopefully I will be in dialogue with you. Each person that has already written to me I have responded to with a genuine thank you, and a few of us have gotten into deep discussions. Remember I will listen to your stories about treatment and how even during the worst of times, they may now make a difference for the better. Hope to see your post soon. Request my e-mail if you wish.

Bella