Search Results for: schizophrenia

Fear of so-called schizophrenia

Partly because of my friend “A”, and partly because of Mad Pride Week, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of the label “schizophrenia”.  There’s been so much discussion about it in recent years, and people are only just … Continue reading

Posted in causes, community, compassion, consciousness, education, fear, ignorance, Inclusion, personal growth, psychology, reflections, schizophrenia, values | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A is for Antoinette*

It’s six months since my friend Antoinette died, and I think it’s probably okay to ‘tell her story’ now.  I mean it’s not likely that breaking confidentiality is relevant.  The chances of someone who knew her discovering I’ve ‘told’ are … Continue reading

Posted in Alternatives, child abuse, compassion, mental illness, parenting, perfectionism, schizophrenia, trauma | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

The Listeners

The other day in my favourite café, I was listening to a friend who’s been dealing with mental illness all the decades of her adult life.  Diagnosed long ago with so-called ‘schizophrenia’, she clearly needs to talk about her feelings, … Continue reading

Posted in active listening, baby boomers, depression, empathy, psychology | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ah, insurance! Let me count the ways…

These days we’re seeing an increasing consciousness about ‘mental health’ issues.  We seem less aware of how such issues can affect insurability – or even employability.  The same could be said about physical ailments.  So when I think about the … Continue reading

Posted in insurance, non-profit, pre-existing condition, profit, social justice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Desperate need…

Like most moms, I love my children enough that I would probably die for them.  I also enjoy their cousins and their friends, especially now that my kids are in their thirties, and the others have been coming around for … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, beliefs, causes, compassion, consciousness, empathy, Inclusion, injustice, mental illness, reflections, schizophrenia, social commentary, social justice, trauma | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

There but for luck… #1

Not everyone has the good fortune to talk with people who “live the life” in the street or at a level of extreme poverty.  I’ve had that opportunity on many occasions for reasons not relevant here. But every time I … Continue reading

Posted in causes, compassion, consciousness, education, Inclusion, personal growth, personal power, poverty, Reflection, schizophrenia, suicide, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lost potential…

“R” and I sat glued to our conversation, astonished and excited that, by some amazing coincidence, we both had a passionate interest in what we were talking about: how mental distress tends to be handled  by the psychiatric or medical … Continue reading

Posted in causes, compassion, consciousness, education, ignorance, Inclusion, personal growth, Poetry, psychology, reflections, schizophrenia, suicide | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A moment, for mental illness…

Yesterday a friend emailed me  a beautiful Powerpoint presentation about long-suffering women and how essential and precious their struggles are, everywhere and always. It was one of those things we’re asked to send on, and It would have been perfect … Continue reading

Posted in community, compassion, consciousness, fear, Feelings, Inclusion, personal growth, psychology, Reflection, reflections, schizophrenia, values, volunteer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments