,CLASS ,/RUGGLE & ,M5TAL ,HEAL? 
,LIVE TO ,FI<T ,ANO!R ,DAY 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ANONYM\S 

,TEXT 3 

,9TRODUCTION  
 ,CLASS ,/RUGGLE & ,M5TAL ,HEAL?3  
 ,LIVE TO ,FI<T ,ANO!R ,DAY 

,?IS PIECE ( WRIT+ COMES \T ( A S]IES ( DISCUSSIONS :I* OCCURR$ ON ! =UMS ( LIBCOM4ORG4 ,IT WAS REPEAT$LY RAIS$ ?AT DEPRESSION1 M5TAL ILLNESS1 & EMOTIONAL /RESS >E V]Y COMMON AMONG LIB]T>IAN POLITICAL ACTIVI/S4 ,FUR!RMORE1 SUFF]+ FROM M5TAL ILLNESS AS SOMEONE :O IS POLITICALLY ACTIVE (T5 COMES ) ITS [N SET ( COMPLICATIONS4 ,SOMETIMES ! WID] AN>*I/_/ ACTIVI/ COMMUNITY IS SUPPORTIVE & HELPFUL4 ,O!R TIMES1 WE CAN FEEL JU/ AS ALI5AT$ AMONG FELL[ AN>*I/S AS WE DO FROM ! RE/ ( CAPITALI/ SOCIETY4 

,) ?AT 9 M9D1 ! GOAL ( ?IS PAMPHLET IS TO (F] SOME ADVICE ON :AT'S G5]ALLY HELPFUL 9 MA9TA9+ OV]ALL M5TAL HEAL?4 ,WE HAVE V>I\S SECTIONS ?AT LOOK AT !SE ISSUES FROM DIFF]5T ANGLES1 R\<LY AS FOLL[S3 

,G5]AL ADVICE 

,MANAGEM5T /RATEGIES 

,P]SONAL ACC\NTS 

,L9KS 

,ADVICE FROM AN>*I/_/RADICAL M5TAL HEAL? WORK]S 

,ESSAYS ON ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE & M5TAL HEAL? 

,TIPS & DISCUSSION TOPICS = GR\PS & ORGANIZATIONS 

,WE DON'T1 H[EV]1 WANT TO PRET5D = A SECOND ?AT ?IS PAMPHLET IS A SUB/ITUTE = PR(ESSIONAL M$ICAL ADVICE4 ,:ILE WE'RE CRITICAL ( C]TA9 ASPECTS ( M5TAL HEAL? TREATM5T1 IF Y\'RE SUFF]+ FROM SEV]E DEPRESSION OR CONSID]+ HURT+ Y\RSELF1 PLEASE SPEAK TO SOMEONE IMM$IATELY4 

,LIV+ ) DEPRESSION ISN'T EASY4 ,F> TOO (T51 ON A SOCIETAL AS WELL AS 9T]- P]SONAL LEVEL1 M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES >E IGNOR$--OR WORSE1 WRITT5 (F ) SUFF]]S BE+ BLAM$ AS WEAK OR JU/ OV]REACT+4 

,ASIDE FROM ! P]SONAL S5SE ( ALI5ATION ?AT (T5 ACCOMPANIES M5TAL ILLNESS1 ! 9/ITUTIONS ( CAPITALI/ SOCIETY (F] SUFF]]S V]Y LITTLE CONTROL OV] !IR TREATM5T4 ,M5TAL ILLNESS TREATM5T IS ATOMIZ$ & COMMODIFI$1 COMPLETE ) HI]>*Y1 CO]CION & ! PRESSURES ( BUDGETS1 PR(IT1 &1 BUREAUCRACY4 ,M5TAL HEAL? FACILITIES 9 S*OOLS >E WOEFULLY LACK+ & :ILE !RE'S NO PROBLEM CALL+ (F WORK BECAUSE Y\'RE PHYSICALLY ILL1 V]Y FEW 
EMPLOY]S HAVE PROVISIONS = %ORT OR LONG-T]M M5TAL HEAL? LEAVE4 ,HOSPITALS & M5TAL HEAL? 9/ITUTIONS (T5 EMBODY ! V]Y WOR/ ( 9/ITUTIONAL P[]4.<#a.> 

,IT'S IMP]ATIVE1 !N1 ?AT ! CLASS /RUGGLE COMMUNITY TAKE ISSUES ( M5TAL HEAL? S]I\SLY4 ,M5TAL HEAL? %\LD BE DISCUSS$ & !RE \<T TO BE NETWORKS :]E SUFF]]S CAN TURN :5 !Y NE$ SUPPORT4 ,WE HOPE ?AT ?IS PAMPHLET CAN PROVIDE A />T TO ?AT SORT ( ?+ TAK+ %APE4 ,WE DO WI% TO /RESS AGA91 H[EV]1 ?AT ?IS IS NOT A SUB/ITUTE = ! SUPPORT & ADVICE ( TRA9$ M$ICAL PR(ESSIONALS4 O 

,T]M9OLOGY 

,A ,NOTE ON T]M9OLOGY3 ,! $ITORS ( ?IS PAMPHLET T5D NOT TO USE ! WORDS 0ACTIVI/0 OR 0ACTIVISM0 TO DESCRIBE \R CLASS /RUGGLE ACTIVITIES4 ,?IS IS A = A V>IETY ( SEMANTIC & POLITICAL REASONS4 ,H[EV]1 WE HAVE *OS5 TO USE !SE T]MS 9 ! PAMPHLET BECAUSE 7#a7 WE KN[ MANY D$ICAT$ CLASS W>RIORS DO USE SU* T]MS & 7#b7 = /YLI/IC REASONS IT MAKES MORE S5SE ?AN US+ ! T]MS 0MILITANTS01 0COMRADES01 0REVOLUTION>IES01 ETC41 OV] & OV] AGA9 7A GR\P ( WORDS 9 !MSELVES :I* C>RY !IR [N COMPLICAT$ CONNOTATIONS74 

,= A MORE 9-DEP? DISCUSSION ( SU* T]M9OLOGY 7:I*1 9 ITSELF1 MAY HAVE IMPLICATIONS = ! M5TAL HEAL? ( ?OSE ACTIVELY COMMITT$ TO ! CLASS /RUGGLE71 SEE 0,GIVE ,UP ,ACTIVISM0 7AVAILABLE ONL9E AT3 LIBCOM4ORG_/LIBR>Y_/GIVE-UP-ACTIVISM74 

,SIMIL>LY1 WE'VE US$ ! WORD LIB]T>IAN 9 ITS HI/ORICAL S5SE3 REF]R+ TO ! ANTI-/ATE W+ ( ! SOCIALI/ MOVEM5T4 ,OBVI\SLY1 IT'S A TRAVE/Y ?AT ! RI<T IS TRY+ TO CLAIM SU* T]M9OLOGY AS !IR [N4 ,IT GOES )\T SAY+ ?AT WE >E OPPOS$ TO ! 'LIB]T>IANISM' ( ! ,LIB]T>IAN ,P>TY1 ! ,TEA ,P>TY MOVEM5T1 & ?AT ( ! O!R FREE-M>KET IDEOLOGUES4 

,GRAMMATICALLY1 WORD SPELL+S HAVE BE5 LEFT 9 !IR ORIG9AL =M AS SUBMITT$ BY V>I\S CONTRIBUTORS4 ,?IS MEANS SOMETIMES !Y'LL BE AN '\' 9 LABOR & SOMETIMES ONLY AN 'O'4 ,?IS %\LD HELP TO GIVE A MORE AU!NTIC FEEL TO ! ACC\NTS & REFLECTS ! 9T]NATIONAL SCOPE ( ! PROJECT4 O 

,P>T #a3 ,G5]AL ,ADVICE 

,:5 SUFF]+ FROM DEPRESSION ! FIR/ ?+ TO REMEMB] IS ?AT Y\'RE BY NO MEANS ALONE4 ,DEPRESSION IS SOME?+ EXP]I5C$ BY MANY1 MANY 9DIVIDUALS :O >E 9VOLV$ 9 CLASS POLITICS4 ,LIFE 9 G5]AL IS /RESSFUL4 ,BE+ 9VOLV$ 9 POLITICS IS /RESSFUL 7:E!R Y\'RE 9VOLV$ 9 AN ACTIVE GR\P OR AN ISOLAT$ MILITANT74 ,SO IT'S NOT SURPRIS+ ?AT MANY ( US SUFF] FROM DEPRESSION4 

,IF Y\'RE FEEL+ DEPRESS$1 ! MA9 ADVICE WE (F] IS TO TALK TO SOMEONE4 ,:ILE WE HOPE READ+ ?IS HELPS1 IT'S F> MORE IMPORTANT TO F9D SOMEONE TO TALK TO4 ,IDEALLY1 TALK TO SOMEONE 9 P]SON4 ,9 \R COLLECTIVE EXP]I5CE1 TALK+ TO SOMEONE ELSE DIRECTLY PROVIDES ! BE/ OPTION4 ,BUT IF Y\ CAN'T TALK TO SOMEONE 9 P]SON1 TALK TO SOMEONE ON ! PHONE4 ,ONL9E =UMS CAN PROVIDE HELP 9 A NUMB] ( WAYS1 BUT IF Y\'RE ?9K+ ( HURT+ Y\RSELF & !RE'S NO ONE >\ND Y\ FEEL COM=TABLE SPEAK+ TO 9 P]SON1 CALL A HELPL9E4 

,A SECOND1 RELAT$ PO9T IS ?AT CLASS POLITICS >E AB\T SOLID>ITY & HELP+ EA* O!R4 ,!RE'S NO?+ WRONG ) REA*+ \T :5 Y\ NE$ IT4 ,:E!R WE SUFF] FROM DEPRESSION OR NOT1 WE ALL NE$ TO DISCUSS \R FEEL+S & EMOTIONS4 ,IT NOT ONLY HELPS US AS 9DIVIDUALS1 BUT /R5G!NS US AS A MOVEM5T :5 WE DEVELOP A HEAL?Y CULTURE ( DISCUSSION & SUPPORT4 ,SO IF Y\ NE$ TO TALK TO SOMEONE1 ?AT'S OKAY4 ,P>T ( ! REASON WE GET 9VOLV$ 9 POLITICS IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE ! WORLD A BETT] PLACE4 ,?AT MEANS MO/ ACTIVI/S >E MORE ?AN HAPPY TO SPEAK TO A COMRADE :O'S 9 NE$ ( SOME EMOTIONAL SUPPORT1 SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK4 

,SOMETIMES BE+ 9VOLV$ 9 CLASS POLITICS BR+S A S5SE ( SOLID>ITY & PURPOSE4 ,= MANY PEOPLE1 FEEL+ LIKE !Y'RE HELP+ !IR COMMUNITIES OR MAK+ ! WORLD A BETT] PLACE BR+S GREAT P]SONAL SATISFACTION4 ,H[EV]1 IF POLITICS >E BR++ MORE /RESS ?AN 5JOYM5T1 TAKE A /EP BACK4 ,IF Y\ NE$ A FEW MON?S AWAY FROM A POLITICAL PROJECT OR A GR\P Y\'RE 9VOLV$ )1 ?AT'S OKAY4 

,SIMIL>LY1 DON'T OV]-EXT5D Y\RSELF4 ,IT'S NOT GOOD AN>*I/ PRACTICE :5 ONE P]SON C>RIES TOO MANY RESPONSIBILITIES 9 A GR\P & IT'S C]TA9LY NOT GOOD PRACTICE 9 T]MS ( M5TAL HEAL?4 ,BE REALI/IC AB\T H[ MU* TIME Y\ CAN D$ICATE TO A PROJECT & BE OP5 ) O!RS :5 Y\ NE$ HELP4 ,IF Y\'RE NOT GETT+ ! ASSI/ANCE Y\ NE$1 SPEAK TO ! O!RS 9VOLV$1 LET !M KN[1 & ALL[ !M ! OPPORTUNITY TO /EP UP4 ,ULTIMATELY1 H[EV]1 DON'T FEEL ! BURD5 IS ON Y\ TO MAKE ?+S WORK4 

,DESPITE \R REVOLUTION>Y COMMITM5T1 IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE O!R \TSIDE 9T]E/S4 ,IT'S B5EFICIAL TO HAVE P>TS ( Y\R LIFE ?AT >5'T EXPLICITLY POLITICAL & TO RELATE TO PEOPLE :O MAY NOT ID5TIFY AS POLITICOS4 ,HOBBIES & SPORTS1 = EXAMPLE1 >E ANO!R WAY TO F9D PEOPLE :O %>E COMMON 9T]E/S & :O CAN BE A TRU/$ E> IF Y\'RE FEEL+ D[N4 ,!Y'RE ALSO A GOOD WAY TO RELIEVE /RESS & TAKE :AT CAN (T5 BE A MU*-NE$$ BREAK FROM CONTEMPLAT+ ! ILLS ( GLOBAL CAPITALISM4 ,IF Y\'RE FEEL+ OV]:ELM$ POLITICALLY1 IT'S WOR? LOOK+ 9TO :AT SORT ( CLUBS1 SOCIETIES1 CLASSES1 & MEET-UP GR\PS >E AVAILABLE 9 Y\R >EA4 ,?+S LIKE MUSIC & >T1 AS WELL1 (T5 PROVIDE \TLETS TO RELEASE Y\R EMOTIONS & /AY POSITIVE4 ,AS ONE ( \R CONTRIBUTORS WRITES3 

,SOME?+ ,I'VE F\ND V]Y USEFUL IS TO ADD SOME?+ CREATIVE 9TO MY LIFE4 ,:E!R Y\'RE DEPRESS$ OR NOT1 EV]YDAY LIFE CAN BE A BIT S\L DE/ROY+ 9 T]MS ( TANGIBLE A*IEVEM5TS SOMETIMES4 ,I F9D IT REALLY HELPFUL TO HAVE SOME?+ ?AT ,I'VE WORK$ ON1 ?AT ,I CAN SAY1 ',HEY1 ,I DID ?AT6' 

,IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANY?+ COMPLEX4 ,BAK+ A CAKE EV51 SOME?+ ?AT Y\ CAN TAKE CR$IT = Y\RSELF4 ,IT'S A REALLY GOOD DI/RACTION FROM ! BACK- GR\ND NOISE1 SOME?+ TO FOCUS ON4 ,I US$ TO PLAY GUIT>1 LOS+ MYSELF 9 PRACTIC+ A PIECE ( MUSIC UNTIL ,I GOT IT RI<T4 ,IT DOESN'T REALLY MATT] :AT IT IS1 BUT ?AT COMB9ATION ( BE+ ABSORB$ 9 A PROCESS & BE+ ABLE FEEL ?AT Y\'VE ACCOMPLI%$ SOME?+ OR LE>N$ SOME?+ NEW IS REALLY POSITIVE & AFFIRM+40 

,9 A WID] S5SE1 IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AW>E ( Y\R UPS & D[NS4 ,DEPRESSION IS (T5 CYCLICAL &1 MU* AS POSSIBLE1 IT'S IMPORTANT TO F9D WAYS TO MANAGE ?AT CYCLE4 ,BE+ AW>E ( :AT 9 Y\R LIFE 7& ! WORLD >\ND Y\7 TRIGG]S Y\R DEPRESSION IS AN IMPORTANT P>T ( F9D+ /RATEGIES TO DEAL ) IT4 ,IF Y\ BEG9 TO FEEL DEPRESS$1 UND]TAKE :ATEV] /RATEGIES Y\'VE F\ND TO BE HELPFUL4 ,SPEAK TO A TRU/$ FRI5D4 ,IF POSSIBLE1 TAKE A FEW DAYS (F WORK OR S*OOL4 ,S5D APOLOGIES TO MEET+S4 ,IF Y\ F9D >GU+ ) RI<T-W+]S ON ! 9T]NET KEEPS Y\ UP AT NI<T1 TURN (F Y\R COMPUT]4 ,GET SOME EXTRA SLEEP IF ?AT'S :AT Y\ NE$4 ,BUT IF Y\ F9D /AY+ 9 B$ ALL DAY BR+S D[N Y\R MOOD1 MAKE ?AT EXTRA EF=T TO GET \TSIDE & 5JOY SOME FRE% AIR4 ,TAKE SOME TIME = Y\RSELF & FOCUS ON /AY+ HEAL?Y & POSITIVE4 

,F9ALLY1 IT'S IMPORTANT UND]/& DEPRESSION AS AN ILLNESS4 ,SOCIETY (T5 IGNORES ! FACT ?AT M5TAL ILLNESS IS AN ILLNESS4 7,IT'S NO PROBLEM CALL+ (F 
WORK ) ! FLU & NE$ A DAY TO RECOV]4 ,BUT H[ MANY EMPLOY]S >E ACCOMMODAT+ IF AN EMPLOYEE CALLS (F BECAUSE !Y'RE FEEL+ DEPRESS$ & NE$ A DAY TO RECOV]874 ,ONE ( ! WOR/ ASPECTS ( DEPRESSION IS ?AT IT LEAVES SUFF]]S FEEL+ GUILTY = BE+ DEPRESS$1 ?US CAUS+ MORE DEPRESSION4 ,SUFF]+ FROM DEPRESSION IS A V]Y COMMON ILLNESS & ONE :I* IS EXAC]BAT$ BY ! WORLD 9 :I* WE LIVE4 ,WE NE$N'T FEEL GUILTY AB\T IT4 ,&1 AGA91 IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK TO O!RS TO F9D WAYS TO MANAGE H[ DEPRESSION AFFECTS US NOT ONLY 9 \R D>K] MOM5TS1 BUT 9 \R WID] LIVES4 O 

,P>T #b3 ,MANAGEM5T ,/RATEGIES 

,COMMUNITY 9VOLVEM5T3 ,MANY PEOPLE F9D ?AT HELP+ O!RS HELPS !M TO DEAL ) !IR DEPRESSION4 ,AN EXAMPLE ?AT (T5 COMES UP IS FE$+ HOMELESS PEOPLE4 ,:ILE ?IS IS GOOD ADVICE1 TRY TO GET 9VOLV$ 9 AN ALREADY EXI/+ PROJECT & DON'T TAKE ON MORE ?AN IS EMOTIONALLY SU/A9ABLE = Y\4 ,ALSO1 TRY NOT TO MAKE IT EXPLICITLY POLITICAL4 ,! IDEA H]E IS TO HELP O!RS1 NOT TURN IT 9TO A POLITICAL PROJECT4 

,:ILE GIV+ \T FOOD = ! EVANGELICAL *UR* D[N ! ROAD IS PROBABLY NOT ! BE/ IDEA1 !RE >E LOTS ( LIB]AL COMMUNITY GR\PS ONE CAN GET 9VOLV$ )4 ,!RE >E PL5TY ( O!R OPTIONS1 TOO3 AFT]-S*OOL PROGRAMS1 LIBR>IES1 SUPPORT WORK & ADVOCACY1 LITT] REMOVAL1 VOLUNTE]+ AT A HOSPICE OR HOSPITAL1 WORK ) EX-CONVICTS1 ETC4 ,AS ALWAYS1 IF Y\ FEEL COMMUNITY WORK IS CAUS+ MORE /RESS ?AN IT'S ALLEVIAT+1 SCALE BACK Y\R 9VOLVEM5T4 

,EX]CISE3 ,ANECDOTAL AS WELL AS CL9ICAL RESE>* (T5 CLAIMS ?AT EX]CISE IS JU/ AS1 IF NOT MORE1 EFFECTIVE ?AN ANTI-DEPRESSANTS4 ,! PROBLEM1 H[EV]1 IS TAK+ ?AT 9ITIAL /EP TO GET />T$4 ,SOMETIMES IT'S HELPFUL TO F9D A FRI5D & SIGN-UP TO A C\RSE TOGE!R4 ,ALT]NATIVELY1 MAKE Y\RSELF A S*$ULE1 SELECT+ A SPECIFIC TIME TO GO = A WALK1 RIDE A BIKE1 LIFT WEI<TS1 OR PLAY BASKETBALL4 

,:ILE WE ?9K IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ACTIVITIES \TSIDE ( POLITICS1 !RE >E MANY POSSIBILITIES TO 9TEGRATE EX]CISE 9TO Y\R POLITICAL LIFE4 ,MANY ORGANIZATIONS (F] SELF-DEF5SE C\RSES1 = EXAMPLE4 ,IF ?AT'S NOT Y\R =TE1 Y\ CAN />T A REGUL> EX]CISE SESSION )9 Y\R POLITICAL GR\P OR TRADE UNION4 ,& IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SUP] =MAL EI!R--A WEEKLY PICK-UP GAME ( BASKETBALL OR FOOTBALL_/SOCC] 9 ! P>K IS F9E1 TOO4 ,F9ALLY1 Y\ C\LD CONSID] DO+ A *>ITY RUN4 ,IT'LL PROBABLY BE LIB]AL1 BUT !RE >E PL5TY ( AT LEA/ P>TIALLY WOR?Y CAUSES \T !RE :I* MI<T HELP TO MOTIVATE Y\ TO GET \T !RE & TRA94 

,F9ALLY1 REMEMB] ?AT !RE'S NO NE$ TO UND]TAKE ESPECIALLY /R5U\S EX]CISE4 ,AS ONE ( \R CONTRIBUTORS PUTS IT1 0,WALK+ WORKS WOND]S1 IT'S EX]CISE1 BUT IT ALSO RE5GAGES Y\ ) A REAL PHYSICAL WORLD444 PLUS IT'S /ILL POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS :ILE WALK+60 

,DRUGS_/ALCOHOL3 ,:ILE !RE'S NO?+ 9H]5TLY WRONG ) DRUGS & ALCOHOL 9 A BROAD S5SE1 UND]/&+ H[ !Y AFFECT Y\ & Y\R M5TAL HEAL? IS A REALLY IMPORTANT P>T ( MANAG+ Y\R EMOTIONAL /ATE4 ,IF ALCOHOL T5DS TO MAKE Y\ DEPRESS$ OR UPSET 7EI!R :ILE DR9K+ OR AFT]W>DS71 AVOID IT4 ,SIMIL>LY1 PSY*O-ACTIVE DRUGS LIKE EC/ASY OR ACID CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON Y\R M5TAL /ATE4 ,& D[N]S 7C]TA9LY OPIATES7 >E PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IDEA4 

,BUT1 ( C\RSE1 ?IS CAN GO EI!R WAY4 ,EV]YONE REACTS DIFF]5TLY TO DRUGS4 ,EV]YONE F9DS !IR DIFF]5T WAYS ( COP+4 ,! KEY IS TO BE AW>E & CONSCI\S ( ! EFFECT DRUGS HAVE ON Y\R BODY & Y\R M5TAL /ATE4 ,MANY PEOPLE REPORT ?AT1 :5 US$ PROPORTIONATELY1 ALCOHOL OR M>IJUANA CAN HELP !M RELAX AT ! 5D ( ! DAY4 ,H[EV]1 IF Y\'RE F9D+ Y\ CAN'T GET ?R\< ! DAY )\T IT OR IF Y\R RECREATIONAL DRUG USE IS EXAC]BAT+ Y\R DEPRESSION1 IT'S PROBABLY BE/ AVOID$4 

,F9ALLY1 WE AGA9 WI% TO EMPHASIZE ?AT ?IS PAMPHLET IS NOT A SUB/ITUTE = PR(ESSIONAL HELP4 ,:ILE M5TAL HEAL? WORK]S HAVE CONTRIBUT$ 9 ! WRIT+ PROCESS1 WE DON'T CLAIM TO HAVE ! EXP]TIZE TO SPEAK DEF9ITIVELY ON ! ABOVE ISSUES4 ,AS ALWAYS1 IF Y\R DEPRESSION IS SEV]E OR Y\'RE ?9K+ ( HURT+ Y\RSELF1 SPEAK TO SOMEONE ,A,S,A,P4 O 

,P>T #c3 ,P]SONAL ,ACC\NTS 

0,! KEY ?+ = ME WAS TO ALL[ PEOPLE TO HELP ME4440 

,I US$ TO OV]-ANALYZE TO ! PO9T ( M9UTIAE :Y ,I GET DEPRESS$4 ,I HAVE HAD P]IODS ( DEPRESSION = AS LONG AS ,I CAN REMEMB] & SOMETIMES !Y'VE BE5 UTT]LY DISABL+4 ,I'VE COME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT !RE IS NO ACTUAL ANSW]2 ,I ?9K ,I WAS LOOK+ = A DEF9ITIVE CAUSE SO ,I C\LD DEF9ITIVELY PUT A /OP TO IT4 ,I SUSPECT !RE'S A :OLE COMB9ATION ( FACTORS1 PROBABLY BRA9 *EMI/RY COMES 9TO IT1 EMOTIONAL TRAUMA--,I HAD AN ABUSIVE *ILDHOOD1 :I* ,I KN[ HAD AN 5ORM\S 9FLU5CE ON MY ?\<T PROCESSES GR[+ UP1 :I* !N C>RI$ OV] 9TO ADUL?OOD4 

,I'M NEV] SURE :E!R HAV+ RADICAL POLITICS IS A HELP OR A H9DRANCE2 SOME- TIMES :5 ,I'M HAV+ A BAD TIME1 ! G5]AL SORRY /ATE ( ! WORLD JU/ ADDS TO IT4 ,I CALL !M MY 0,IT'S ALL TOO BIG0 DAYS1 :5 ,I CAN'T DEAL ) :AT'S GO+ ON 9 ! WORLD4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 AT O!R TIMES ,I F9D IT A POSITIVE RES\RCE1 KN[+ ?AT ,I'M NOT ! ONLY P]SON :O ?9KS WE %\LD BE DO+ IT DIFF]5TLY1 IT'S K9D ( OPTIMI/IC4 ,I'M SURE ?AT SOCIETAL PRESSURES COME 9TO PLAY TOO1 LIFE IS 9CR$IBLY /RESSFUL1 IT'S H>DLY SURPRIS+ ?AT IT W\LD HAVE A DETRIM5TAL EFFECT ON MY M5TAL HEAL?4 ,I ALSO ?9K ?AT DEPRESSION IS SOMETIMES A P]FECTLY NORMAL REACTION TO TRAUMATIC EV5TS2 ,I DON'T FEEL ?AT IT'S REASONABLE ?AT PEOPLE %\LD C>RY ON AS NORMAL :5 DREADFUL ?+S HAPP5 TO !M4 ,ANYWAY1 ,I /OPP$ TRY+ TO F9D A MAGIC BULLET & />T$ LOOK+ AT IT AS A MO/LY MANAGEABLE CONDITION4 

,ONE ASPECT ?AT ,I'D LIKE TO T\* ON IS ! 9CR$IBLY ISOLAT+ NATURE ( DEPRESSION4 ,L>GELY ,I'VE MANAG$ TO OV]COME ?IS1 BUT IT TOOK A LONG TIME4 ,:5 ,I WAS Y\NG] ,I JU/ FELT SO LONELY 9 MY [N HEAD4 ,I F\ND IT ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO DISCUSS ?IS ) ANYONE4 ,IT'S GOT A LITTLE BETT]1 ,I FEEL4 ,PEOPLE >E MORE RECEPTIVE TO TALK+ AB\T M5TAL HEAL? !SE DAYS1 BUT BACK !N IT FELT LIKE !RE WAS SU* A HUGE /IGMA ASSOCIAT$ ) IT ?AT ,I DIDN'T D>E DISCLOSE H[ ,I WAS FEEL+4 

,! WAY ,I GREW UP ,I DEVELOP$ 5ORM\S TRU/ ISSUES & ,I DIDN'T WANT TO EXPOSE MYSELF TO LETT+ ANYONE V]Y CLOSE TO ME EMOTIONALLY4 ,I F9D IT QUITE DIFFICULT 
N[ TO FULLY UND]/& :AT WAS GO+ ON 9 MY HEAD BACK !N1 BUT ,I ?9K ?AT 9 AN EF=T TO %IELD MYSELF FROM GETT+ HURT ,I DISALL[$ MYSELF ! OPPORTUNITY TO LET ANYONE HELP ME4 ,IT'S NOT AS IF ,I DIDN'T HAVE LOTS ( FRI5DS1 BUT AS SOON AS !Y GOT TOO CLOSE ,I W\LD RUN A MILE4 ,LOOK+ BACK ,I CAN SEE ?AT !RE W]E LOTS ( PEOPLE :O (F]$ !IR H&S TO HELP ME1 BUT ,I W\LDN'T TAKE ! *ANCE TO LET !M4 ,I ALSO HAD A CRIPPL+ 9SECURITY ?AT IF ,I LET PEOPLE FULLY UND]/& :AT MADE ME TICK ?AT !Y W\LDN'T LIKE IT1 & W\LD JUDGE ME OR REJECT ME4 ,I HAVE NO IDEA :AT IT WAS ?AT ,I ?\<T ,I %\LD HAVE BE5 BUT ,I HAD A DEBILITAT+ S5SE ?AT PEOPLE W\LD F9D ME WANT+4 

,! ONLY WAY ,I GOT \T ( ?IS WAS TO ACTUALLY LET SOMEONE 94 ,I ACTUALLY S\<T M$ICAL HELP AT ONE PO9T1 BUT BECAUSE ,I TRI$ DO+ IT ON MY [N )\T ANY SUPPORT1 OR EV5 LETT+ ANYONE KN[ ,I WAS DO+ IT1 IT FAIL$ DISMALLY4 ,9 MY CASE IT TOOK A FRI5D :O WAS JU/ TOO T5ACI\S TO LET ME GET AWAY ) RUNN+ = ! HILLS :5 ,I ?\<T ?AT W\LD BE MY BE/ OPTION1 SOMEONE :O RECOGNIZ$ MY DEPRESSION1 :O'D BE5 !RE1 & ) GREAT S5SITIVITY *IPP$ AWAY AT ! WALL ,I HAD CON/RUCT$1 A WALL :I* ,I ?\<T ,I WAS PROTECT+ MYSELF )4 ,!N ,I F\ND ?AT ONCE ,I'D LET SOMEONE HELP ME IT WAS F> EASI] TO LET O!RS DO SO4 

,SO ! KEY ?+ = ME WAS TO ALL[ PEOPLE TO HELP ME4 ,IT MEANT ADMITT+ ?AT ,I WAS VULN]ABLE1 :I* WAS SO FRI<T5+1 BUT IT TURN$ \T ?AT !RE W]E PEOPLE :O C>$ AB\T ME & WANT$ TO HELP4 ,I LOOK BACK AT ?AT Y\NG WOMAN ?AT ,I WAS ) SOME SADNESS N[4 ,I PUT UP A GOOD FRONT = PUBLIC VIEW1 BUT ,I WAS SO 9CR$IBLY LONELY & MY LONEL9ESS & 9SECURITY JU/ F$ (F EA* O!R4 ,& ,I F9D IT SO UNFA?OMABLE ?AT ,I W\LD DO ?IS TO MYSELF BECAUSE IT'S REALLY NOT ! WAY ,I AM N[4 

,SO1 EV]YONE'S DIFF]5T & MY EXP]I5CES DON'T NECESS>ILY RELATE TO ANYONE ELSE'S BUT ,I ?9K IT'S REALLY VITAL ?AT PEOPLE DON'T TRY TO DEAL ) !IR DEPRESSION ON !IR [N4 ,SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY H>D TO ASK = HELP1 & AL?\< NOT EV]YBODY IS ABLE TO (F] IT1 IT IS REALLY WOR? P]SEV]+4 

,A FEW ?\<TS ON SEEK+ PR(ESSIONAL HELP3 ,I F\ND 9 MY EXP]I5CE & ?R\< TALK+ TO O!RS ?AT ! M5TAL HEAL?C>E PR(ESSION CAN BE REALLY HIT OR MISS4 ,IT CAN DEP5D ON HAV+ A SYMPA!TIC DOCTOR 7,I HAD ONE ,G,P BASICALLY TELL+ ME TO /OP :9+ & GET A JOB ONCE7 & :AT IS AVAILABLE 9 Y\R >EA4 ,ALSO1 IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL ?+1 SOME TREATM5TS OR PROGRAMS WORK BETT] = SOME ?AN O!RS4 ,I HAD GR\P !RAPY AT #ai :I* WAS AWFUL4 ,!RE WAS NO WAY ,I WAS GO+ TO SIT 9 A ROOM FULL ( /RANG]S1 MO/ ( :OM SEEM$ 
TO BE 9 A WORSE /ATE ?AN ME & DISCLOSE DEEPLY P]SONAL 9=MATION4 ,I US$ TO HAVE ANXIETY ATTACKS JU/ ?9K+ AB\T IT4 

,9 MY EXP]I5CE1 IF ONE APPROA* ISN'T WORK+1 TRY SOME?+ ELSE4 ,I KN[ ?IS IS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE :AT IS AVAILABLE IS SO DEP5D5T UPON :AT HEAL?C>E S]VICES >E AVAILABLE 9 Y\R >EA & ! LA/ ?+ Y\ NE$ :5 Y\ >E DEPRESS$ IS TO %OP >\ND & HAVE TO FI<T TO GET ! C>E Y\ NE$ 7:I* IS :]E HAV+ SUPPORT IS USEFUL74 ,IT CAN BE REALLY DISPIRIT+ TO SEEK HELP & F9D IT'S NOT WORK+4 ,SEE IF Y\ CAN F9D AN ADVOCACY GR\P 9 Y\R >EA :O'D BE WILL+ TO HELP Y\ CUT ?R\< ! BUREAUCRACY & HONE/LY %[ Y\ :AT TREATM5TS >E AVAILABLE4 O 

0,TO REFUSE ! FEEL+ ?AT ,I ONLY DES]V$ BLEAKNESS4440 

,DEPRESSION IS NOT ALWAYS FEEL+ SAD4 ,MO/ ( ! TIME IT IS FEEL+ NO?+4 ,IF ,I %UT D[N MY EMOTIONS !N IT BECOMES A WEI<T ?AT PRESSES D[N ON MY 5TIRE LIFE BUT ONE ?AT ,I CAN ALMO/ PRET5D ISN'T !RE AS ,I LI/LESSLY />E AT A SCRE51 )\T ! PATI5CE TO GET TO ! 5D ( ! WEBPAGE ,I AM 'READ+'4 ,I FLICK BETWE5 WEBSITES & 9ANE GAMES :ILE A VIDEO PLAYS4 ,:5 Y\ DON'T PAY ATT5TION TO ANY?+ Y\ DON'T M9D WAT*+ ! SAME VIDEO FIVE OR SIX TIMES 9 A FEW DAYS4 ,I DON'T CALL MY FRI5DS2 ,I KN[ ,I HAVE NO?+ TO SAY TO ANYONE4 ,I DON'T WANT !M TO KN[ H[ %IT MY LIFE IS4 ,I CAN B>ELY SLEEP4 ,! ONLY WAY ,I CAN GET MYSELF TO WORK IS ! %E] T]ROR ( LOS+ MY JOB & BE+ EVICT$4 

,SO AFT] A WEEK ( SLEEPLESS NI<TS1 ( SCREAM+ AT ! %[] AS IT RUNS HOT & COLD 9 ! MORN+ ,I F9ALLY HIT ! WEEK5D4 ,I DR9K1 BUT ,I CAN B>ELY MANAGE A BE] BE=E FALL+ ASLEEP ON ,FRIDAY NI<TS4 ,I DON'T SLEEP ?R\< ! WEEK5D & CAT* UP1 IF IT W]E POSSIBLE1 ON MY SLEEP4 ,I LAZE >\ND MY FLAT4 

,I LOOK AT ! BOXES ?AT ,I HAV5'T UNPACK$ YET1 ,I'VE BE5 H]E = MON?S4 ,I DIDN'T MANAGE TO UNPACK !M AT MY LA/ FLAT EI!R4 ,! FLAT IS A MESS1 NO?+ IS ORGANIZ$ & EV]Y?+ IS COV]$ 9 DU/4 ,I HATE LIV+ 9 %IT BUT ,I CAN'T SEEM TO F9D ! 5]GY TO DO ANY?+ AB\T IT4 ,EV]Y FEW DAYS ,I DO ! WA%+ UP & IF !RE'S A /A9 9 ! TOILET ,I *UCK SOME BLEA* D[N IT4 ,AP>T FROM ?AT ,I DON'T CLEAN OR MA9TA9 MY FLAT4 ,I DON'T DO MU* = MYSELF4 ,I HAVE A %[] EA* DAY BE=E WORK4 ,I'VE GR[N A BE>D BECAUSE ,I CAN'T FACE %AV+ & MY HAIR HAS GR[N \T BECAUSE ,I CAN'T FACE LOOK+ = A B>B] & TRY+ TO TALK AB\T :AT ,I WANT4 ,MY FRI5DS SOMETIMES M5TION ?AT ,I SEEM A LITTLE D[N1 BUT MO/LY WE ALL JU/ IGNORE IT4 ,I DON'T SEE !M MU* ANYWAY SO ,I CAN USUALLY SUMMON UP SOME?+ APPROA*+ :O ,I US$ TO BE4 ,I'VE ALWAYS HAD A D>K S5SE ( HUMOR SO ,I FEEL LIKE ! /REAM ( GALL[S HUMOR ISN'T GO+ TO UPSET PEOPLE TOO MU*4 

,I SEE NO FUTURE4 ,EV]Y DAY IS JU/ PUTT+ (F ! CRU%+ 5DLESS WEI<T4 ,EV]Y- ?+ ,I DO IS NOT GOOD 5\<4 ,T]ROR GETS ME TO WORK & N]V\S 5]GY KEEPS ME GO+ ?R\< ! DAY1 JU/ AB\T4 ,I DON'T MAKE PLANS1 ,I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE1 NO?+ REALLY *E]S ME UP & ,I DON'T WANT TO BR+ D[N ! PEOPLE ?AT C>E AB\T ME4 ,:5 SOMEONE M5TIONS VISIT+ ME OR 9VITES ME SOME- :]E ,I FEEL UNABLE TO COPE ) IT1 ,I CAN'T SEE MYSELF HAV+ ! 5]GY TO BUY 
A TRA9 TICKET1 GET TO ! /ATION1 OR TIDY MY FLAT4 ,IT'S BEYOND ME TO PHONE A FRI5D MO/ ( ! TIME1 ACTUALLY SEE+ ONE SEEMS ALMO/ IMPOSSIBLE4 

,AS LONG AS Y\ TELL PEOPLE ?AT Y\ >E F9E IT'S OK4 ,EV5 :5 ,I HAVE OP5LY TOLD MY BOSS EV]Y?+ IS FALL+ AP>T %E (F]S ME BL& ASSURANCES RA!R ?AN GO+ ?R\< ! EF=T ( HELP+ ME2 !N %E CAN HE> ! S\ND ( H] [N VOICE AS %E TELLS ME IRRELEVANT ANECDOTES4 ,I HAVE MO/LY GIV5 UP TRY+ TO GET HELP & ,I CAN'T EV5 MANAGE TO GET ANGRY AB\T IT4 

,DEPRESSION MAKES Y\ FEEL ALONE1 IT MAKES Y\ FEEL AS IF Y\ WILL NEV] GET BETT]1 IT MAKES Y\ ?9K ?AT ?IS IS H[ IT IS = Y\1 IT TURNS Y\ AGA9/ Y\RSELF1 IT %UTS D[N Y\R ABILITY TO FI<T IT4 

,MY :OLE LIFE IS /RIPP$ D[N4 ,?IS DULLNESS ?AT LAYS UPON EV]Y?+4 ,I FEEL CRU%$ & DRA9$4 ,I FEEL LIKE ,I HAVE TO KEEP GO+1 BUT ,I HAVE NO IDEA :]E1 ,I CAN'T SEE H[ ANY?+ WILL *ANGE OR IMPROVE4 

,I HAD BE5 A HEAVY DR9K] A FEW YE>S PREVI\S BUT ,I AM SO EXHAU/$ ?AT ,I HAVE PRETTY MU* /OPP$ DR9K+ BECAUSE ,I AM TIR$ ( P\R+ IT AWAY4 ,ONE GLASS ( W9E WAS ?R[N AWAY AFT] ?REE NI<TS ( ATTEMPT+ TO DR9K IT4 ,!RE >E BOTTLES ( DEC5T W9E 9 MY CUPBO>D WAIT+ = ME TO FEEL CAPABLE ( DR9K+ A GLASS4 ,!RE >E BOOKS ON ! %ELF ?AT ,I DON'T FEEL ,I WILL EV] READ1 CONSID]+ ?AT A PAGE'S WOR? ( TEXT IS MORE ?AN ,I HAVE MANAG$ = WEEKS OR MON?S4 ,I HAVE FILMS ,I HAV5'T WAT*$1 ,I KN[ ?AT ,I WON'T BE ABLE TO CONC5TRATE LONG 5\< TO 5JOY !M4 

,?REE ,SUNDAYS 9 A R[ ,I WAS ALMO/ 9 TE>S1 SAY+ \T L\D 0,LIFE ISN'T SUPPOS$ TO BE LIKE ?IS40 ,I WAS AT ! 5D ( MY TE!R1 ) A NUDGE FROM A FRI5D ,I CALL$ 9 SICK1 ,I W5T TO ! DOCTOR = ANTI-DEPRESSANTS ! SAME DAY4 ,I SP5T ALMO/ ALL ( ?AT FIR/ WEEK ASLEEP1 ,I WAS EXHAU/$ 9 EV]Y S5SE1 BUT !RE WAS A S5SE ( SATISFACTION4 ,AFT] MORE ?AN A YE> ( B>ELY FEEL+ ALIVE ,I HAD F9ALLY MANAG$ TO REFUSE ! FEEL+ ?AT ,I ONLY DES]V$ BLEAKNESS1 ,I C\LD LAU< AT H[ RIDICUL\S ?IS REALIZATION WAS2 BUT ,I WAS ABLE TO />T SEE+ IT AS ONE ( ! MO/ IMPORTANT MOM5TS 9 MY LIFE4 

,IT'S BE5 A :ILE N[1 BUT ?+S >E LOOK+ A LOT BETT]4 ,I DON'T HAVE MO/ ( :AT ,I WANT1 & ! DEPRESSION /ILL COMES1 BUT ,I KN[ :AT IT IS1 ,I KN[ ?AT IT ISN'T ME4 ,I HAD BE5 UND] ! %AD[ ( DEPRESSION = A V]Y LONG TIME1 SO LONG ?AT ,I HAD NO REAL IDEA :O ,I WAS )\T IT1 IF !RE WAS ANY?+ ELSE4 ,OV] ! C\RSE 
( YE>S IT HAD TAK5 MORE & MORE FROM ME UNTIL ?AT LA/ YE>2 :I* AP>T FROM A FEW MOM5TS ( JOY1 WAS LIFELESS2 JOYLESS & IT WAS ME1 ALONE ) MY DEPRESSION1 HAV+ TR\BLE REALIZ+ ?AT !RE WAS ANY?+ 9 ! WORLD4 O 

0,BE ,GOOD TO ,Y\RSELF0 

,I WAS DIAGNOS$ ) DY/HYMIA :5 ,I WAS ?IRTE51 ! SAME YE> ,I LE>N$ :O ,EMMA ,GOLDMAN WAS4 ,I TRI$ COMMITT+ SUICIDE ) ! CABLES ?AT CAME ) MY ,PLAY,/ATION4 ,MY MO!R F\ND ME 9 MY CLOSET ) A T]RIBLE EXCUSE = A NOOSE WRAPP$ >\ND MY NECK4 

,N9? GRADE3 VICE PR9CIPAL OV]REACT$ TO ME BE+ 9 ! LIBR>Y DUR+ MY FREE P]IOD4 ,I WAS A HAIR AWAY FROM LEAP+ 9TO ! /AIRWELL 9 MY HI< S*OOL4 ,9/EAD1 ,I W5T TO ! SOCIAL WORK]1 :O CALL$ MY MO!R1 F\R H\RS LAT]1 DIAGNOS$ ) REGUL> OL' DEPRESSION4 

,FRE%MAN YE> ( COLLEGE1 FIR/ MON?3 ,I FELT REJECT$ BY MY PE]S1 CRAMM$ AS MANY ,PROZAC AS ,I C\LD FIT 9TO MY M\?1 WAT*$ FIVE M9UTES ( ,GLEE1 WALK$ ONTO ! QUAD NE> ! WOM5'S C5T]1 HID BEH9D A BU% & CALL$ SOMEONE4 ,I HONE/LY CAN'T REMEMB] :O4 ,CAME TO AT A CRAPPY HOSPITAL 9 ! CITY1 WAS GIV5 *>COAL TO DR9K SO ,I C\LD PUKE ! PILLS BACK UP1 ?\<T 0,?IS IS PRETTY FUCK+ GO? ( ME TO PUKE UP PURE BLACK40 ,!N WAS ADMITT$ TO ! %ITTY HOSPITAL'S EV5 %ITTI] PSY* W>D = TWO & A HALF ( ! MO/ AGONIZ+ DAYS ( MY LIFE4 ,HAD ,I NOT WANT$ TO KILL MYSELF BE=E1 ,I C]TA9LY WANT$ TO 9SIDE ?AT PSY* W>D4 0,!Y %\LD HAVE TAK5 Y\ TO ! *ILDR5'S HOSPITAL10 ! ON-CAMPUS PSY*OLOGI/ SAID TO ME1 0,Y\ W\LD HAVE FELT MORE AT EASE40 ,MORE REJECTION BY MY PE]S :5 ,I CAME BACK TO CAMPUS A WEEK LAT]4 ,CAN'T /& ,GLEE4 ,DIAGNOS$ ) SEV]E DEPRESSION4 

,SOPHOMORE YE> ( COLLEGE1 ! 5TIRE ACADEMIC YE> UP TO >\ND ,M>*3 ,I WAS RAP$ ! SUMM] BETWE5 FRE%MAN & SOPHOMORE YE>4 ,FROM ,AUGU/ ON1 TOOK ANY DRUG ,I C\LD F9D1 DRANK ANY?+ ?AT WAS GIV5 TO ME1 MY BREAKD[N WAS MORE 9T5SE ?AN ANY H>DCORE SONG4 ,F9ALLY FUCK$ IT UP SPECTACUL>LY ) MY !N-LIVE 9 P>TN]1 TOOK AS MANY ,TYL5OL AS ,I C\LD1 TURN$ ON ! ,T,V & LAID D[N ON MY C\*4 ,WOKE UP H\RS LAT] 9 ! WOR/ PA9 ( MY LIFE1 REALIZ$ MY MOM WAS COM+ UP TO VISIT1 DIDN'T TELL H] NOR ANYONE ELSE AB\T ?IS SUICIDE ATTEMPT UNTIL AB\T A WEEK LAT]1 :5 ,I W5T TO ! ON- CAMPUS PSY*OLOGI/ AGA94 ,F9ALLY />T$ GO+ TO AN AMAZ+ !RAPI/ ON ! WEAL?Y SIDE ( ! CITY1 DIAGNOS$ ) MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORD] & PO/ TRAUMATIC /RESS DISORD]4 

,CURR5TLY A S5IOR 9 COLLEGE1 ,I HAV5'T ACT$ ON A SUICIDAL URGE S9CE ,FEBRU>Y 
#b#a#a4 ,?AT ISN'T TO SAY ,I DON'T HAVE URGES1 ,I DO1 BUT ,I'VE TRA9$ MYSELF TO NOT ACT ON !M :ATSOEV]4 ,MY DEPRESSION WILL ALWAYS BE ) ME1 UNTIL ! DAY ,I DIE4 ,I'VE ACCEPT$ ?IS4 ,I FEEL NO %AME 9 IT4 ,IT RUNS 9 ! FAMILY1 BO? SIDES4 ,IT WAS PRETTY MU* DOOM$ FROM MY DISJO9T$1 YET HAPPY1 *ILDHOOD4 

,H[ ! FUCK DID ,I MAKE IT TO #b#b8 

,REALIZE ?AT Y\R M5TAL ILLNESS_/DISORD]_/:ATEV] IT MAY BE IS NOT ! SAME AS O!RS'4 ,NOR %\LD IT BE4 ,!RE IS NO /RICT ADH]5CE TO :AT Y\R P]SONAL M5TAL ILLNESS IS GO+ TO BE LIKE4 ,IT'S MORE ( A 0LOOSE GUIDEL9E0 SORT ( DEAL4 ,MU* LIKE FOOD POISON+1 Y\ KN[ :5 Y\ HAVE IT4 ,UNLIKE FOOD POISON+1 %ITT+ OR PUK+ Y\R BRA9 \T DOESN'T GET RID ( IT4 ,I ?9K4 

,!RE IS NO ONE WAY TO TREAT Y\R M5TAL ILLNESS4 ,SOME PEOPLE TAKE ANY AS- SORTM5T ( M$S1 SOME M$ITATE1 SOME TAKE VITAM9S1 SOME SMOKE WE$1 SOME DO NO?+ OR EV]Y?+4 

,DON'T FUCK+ %AME ANYONE AB\T H[ !Y MANAGE !IR M5TAL ILLNESS BECAUSE ?AT'S JU/ FUCK+ RUDE AS HELL4 ,I KN[ ?AT MY MONEY 7RA!R1 MOMMY DE>E/'S KICKASS 9SURANCE7 L9ES ! POCKETS ( FUCK$-UP RI* FUCKS1 BUT ?AT MONEY IS WELL FUCK+ SP5T = ME TO SURVIVE 9 ?IS TWI/$ PIS%OLE KN[N AS PLANET E>?4 ,I'M A PRIVILEG$ LITTLE FUCK = HAV+ :AT ,I HAVE TO TREAT MY M5TAL ILLNESS4 ,I KN[ ,I HAVE ?\S&S ( WEIRD *EMICALS KEEP+ ME FUNCTIONAL1 BUT FRANKLY1 IT FUCK+ WORKS4 ,DIV]SITY ( TACTICS4 

,KEEP Y\R M9D OP5 TO O!R IDEAS REG>D+ TREATM5T & MANAGEM5T1 BUT ALWAYS EX]CISE CAUTION4 ,IF Y\R GUT 9/9CT SAYS1 0HEY ?IS S\NDS SAFE0 GO = IT4 ,DO Y\R RESE>* REG>DLESS1 ?\<4 

,:5 IT COMES TO ILLEGAL DRUGS1 KEEP A DILIG5T EYE4 ,I KN[ ?AT ,I CAN TOL]ATE WE$ & BOOZE1 & ,I %\LD AVOID PRETTY MU* EV]Y?+ ELSE4 ,IT SUCKS ,I CAN'T TRIP ! LI<T FANTA/IC1 BUT !MS ! BREAKS4 ,IF Y\'RE CONC]N$ AB\T Y\R USAGE ( ANY DRUG1 TALK TO Y\R PSY*1 DOCTOR1 FRI5D1 ANYONE Y\ FEEL SAFE )4 

,:5 IT COMES TO Y\R M5TAL ILLNESS1 TELL ?OSE Y\ FEEL COM=TABLE TELL+4 ,IF ANY- ONE GIVES Y\ %IT AB\T IT1 TRY & /AY AWAY FROM ?AT P]SON4 ,& IF ANYONE USES IT AGA9/ Y\1 CALL ?AT AS%OLE \T4 ,?AT %IT A9'T RI<T4 ,MY USUAL RULE IS3 REPLACE 'DEPRESSION' ) 'LUPUS4' ,IF 
:AT ?AT P]SON IS SAY+ IS N[ FUCK$ UP1 IT WAS FUCK$ UP TO BEG9 )4 

,SELF4 ,C>E4 ,EAT A BAG ( TORTILLA *IPS4 ,MA/URBATE4 ,GET A TATTOO4 ,:ATEV] MAKES Y\ HAPPY1 KEEP A M5TAL SCRAPBOOK ( IT 7OR AN ACTUAL ONE671 DO IT :5 %IT GETS T\<4 ,TREAT YO'SELF4 

,REALIZE ?AT ?+S Y\ MI<T F9D REALLY RIDICUL\S OR GO(Y MI<T MAKE Y\ FEEL BETT]4 ,I ?9K M$ITATION IS *EESY AS ALL GET \T1 BUT IT WORKS PRETTY WELL = ME4 ,SOMETIMES ,I PO/ MY H>D L[S ON A MESSAGE BO>D ,I FREQU5T 7!Y HAVE A DESIGNAT$ SECTION = ?AT1 ACTUALLY74 ,IT'S EMB>RASS+ & ,I HATE IT1 BUT ! ADVICE ,I'VE GOTT5 HAS REALLY HELP$ ME \T ( SOME T]RIBLE PLACES4 

,SOLID>ITY4 ,Y\ >5'T ! ONLY ONE GO+ ?R\< ?IS4 ,EV5 /ATI/ICALLY1 AT ?IS MOM5T1 SOMEONE IS FEEL+ SOME?+ PRETTY DAMN CLOSE TO H[ Y\ FEEL4 ,SORRY ,MORRISSEY1 BUT ,SOMEBODY ,CAN ,POSSIBLY ,KN[ ,H[ ,Y\ ,FEEL4 

,AMONG Y\R ORGANIZATIONS1 IF Y\ FEEL ?AT Y\ NE$ TO %>E ?AT Y\'RE GO+ ?R\< SOME T\< %IT1 %>E IT4 ,BUT KEEP IT ON A NE$-TO-KN[ BASIS & POSSIBLY \T ( PUBLIC VIEW4 ,IT'S USUALLY ! BE/4 ,IF Y\ DON'T FEEL SAFE1 DON'T DO IT4 

,Y\ CAN'T GO TO EV]Y M>*4 ,Y\ CAN'T BURN D[N EV]Y COP C>4 ,Y\ CAN'T ATT5D EV]Y MEET+4 ,?IS IS P]FECTLY OKAY4 ,SOMETIMES Y\ NE$ TO /AY 9 B$4 ,Y\ MAY NOT BE ! MO/ P]FECT RADICAL1 BUT Y\ DON'T HAVE TO BE4 

,BUT SOCIALIZ+ CAN BE GOOD4 ,I SOMETIMES HAVE TO PU% MYSELF TO GO TO ONE FUCK- + RALLY4 ,EV5 IF IT'S ME HID+ 9 A CR[D1 BE+ SURR\ND$ BY PEOPLE CAN SOMETIMES HELP4 

,SOMETIMES FELL[ RADICALS SAY REALLY T]RIBLE %IT REG>D+ M5TAL ILLNESS4 ,IF !Y'RE NE> & DE>1 TELL !M DIRECTLY 7OR ?R\< A SAFE ?IRD P>TY74 ,MAYBE SURREPTITI\SLY PO/ SOME?+ ON ,FACEBOOK AB\T M5TAL ILLNESS /IGMA4 ,OR SCREAM AT ?AT FUCK] IF !Y JU/ DON'T GET IT 7USE ?IS AS A LA/ RESORT74 

,M5TAL ILLNESS SOMETIMES JU/ HAPP5S4 ,!RE MAY BE NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT4 ,?IS ISN'T Y\R FAULT4 ,C\LD BE G5ETICS1 C\LD BE FATE1 C\LD BE SOME?+ 9 ! WAT]4 

,/AY SAFE1 SMA% ! /ATE1 BE GOOD TO Y\RSELF4 O 

0,MY S5SITIVE HE>T44400 

,I'VE /RUGGL$ ) DEPRESSION1 ANXIETY1 ! CONSEQU5CES ( SUB/ANCE MISUSE & *EMICAL DEP5D5CE1 & EV5TUALLY WAS DIAGNOS$ ) BIPOL> ,N,O,S 70NOT O!R SPECIFI$01 I4E4 ?AT MY BIPOL> SYMPTOMS DO NOT FIT NEATLY 9TO ! CATEGORIES BIPOL> ,I OR ,I,I74 ,I AM NOT JU/ MY DIAGNOSIS ?\<4 ,I'M A FI]CE QUE] WOMAN ( COLOR & AN AN>*I/4 ,I'M A FI<T] & ,I'M A SURVIVOR4 ,I HAVE AN>*Y 9 MY HE>T & 9 MY WRIT+S4 ,I AM A RELAPS$ POLITICAL ACTIVI/ :O HAS BE5 9VOLV$ 9 PROTE/S & DEMON/RATIONS = A BETT] WORLD4 

,H[EV] ,I1 LIKE ! RAT 9 ! CAGE PRESS+ A LEV] TO GET SWEET LIQUID OR DRUGS1 KN[ :AT IT'S LIKE TO BE AN ADDICT & TO /RUGGLE ) DEPRESSION4 ,I GREW UP ! OLDE/ DAU<T] FROM IMMIGRANT ,*9ESE P>5TS4 ,ALI5AT$ ) ! SUBURBAN LIFE1 OV]:ELM+ POLITICAL APA?Y1 & CONS]VATISM AS WELL AS MY [N SOCIAL ANXIETY & DEPRESSION1 ,I TURN$ TO SUB/ANCES1 POLITICS & MUSIC4 ,I REMEMB] DAYS ,I W\LD FRANTICALLY SC\R ! CAB9ETS AT HOME = ANY?+ TO BR+ A SWEET RELEASE1 ANY PILL--YELL[ MUSCLE RELAX]S1 :ITE SLEEP+ PILLS1 BOTTLES ( DISSOCIATIVES & DELIRIANTS1 ANY?+ TO GET HI<1 TO GET AWAY FROM ?IS ALI5AT+ SUBURBAN LIFE4 ,( C\RSE ?IS ALL />T$ AS A HAPPY ACCID5T4 

,AT #a#f1 ,I UNHAPPILY TRI$ TO 5D MY [N LIFE ) SOME PILLS4 ,9/EAD ( NE$+ TO GO TO ! HOSPITAL OR HAV+ MY P>5TS REALIZE :AT HAD HAPP5$1 ,I HAD P>5TAL LOV+ CONC]N AT ! RA% ( HIVES ,I GOT & GOT M9DBL[+LY1 UNCOM=TABLY HI<4 ,S9CE !N1 ,I EXP]IM5T$ ) NUM]\S SUB/ANCES = #g YE>S BE=E BE+ HOSPITALIZ$ = A MANIC_/PSY*OTIC EPISODE4 

,SO :AT DOES A CLASS-PRIVILEG$ MISFIT HAVE TO SAY AB\T ! WORK+ CLASS & DEPRESSION8 ,I'M NOT EV5 CURR5TLY A P>T ( ANY =MAL OR CLASS /RUGGLE ORGANIZATIONS1 9/EAD PICK+ & *OOS+ PROTE/S TO %[ UP MASK$ UP 9 ) MY COMRADES BY MY SIDE4 ,MY S5SITIVE HE>T WANTS TO HELP O!RS DRA9$ BY DEPRESSION & ANXIETY4 ,:E!R Y\R HE>T BEATS FA/ 9 SOCIAL SITUATIONS OR :E!R Y\ CAN'T SLEEP AT NI<T & />E AT ! NUMB]S ( TIME TICK+ BY1 ,I'VE BE5 !RE4 ,I HAV5'T BE5 ) Y\ AS Y\ BREAK D[N FROM ANXIETY 9 A BA?ROOM /ALL1 SC>$ ?AT O!R PEOPLE WILL F9D Y\4 ,I HAV5'T BE5 !RE ) Y\ HOLD+ Y\R HAIR AS Y\ VOMIT FROM A NI<T ( TRY+ TO FIT 94 ,I HAV5'T BE5 !RE AS Y\ /RUGGLE \T ( B$ & WI% = SUICIDE 9 ! MORN+4 ,BUT ,I WI% ,I WAS !RE = Y\1 COMRADE4 

,I WI% ,I WAS !RE TO TELL Y\ TO TAKE TIME = Y\RSELF4 ,SL[ D[N A LITTLE BIT & PRACTICE M9DFULNESS1 M$ITATION1 YOGA4 ,MAKE Y\RSELF A CUP ( TEA4 ,IT'S OKAY IF Y\ HE> VOICES OR >E SO SC>$ ( SOME SITUATIONS ?AT Y\ ?9K Y\ CAN'T FACE !M4 ,:AT'S NOT OKAY IS LETT+ IT PREV5T Y\ FROM BE+ ! BEAUTIFUL BUR/+-TO-LIVE RADICAL Y\ >E4 ,! WORLD DES]VES TO HAVE Y\ >\ND BECAUSE Y\ >E A GREAT P]SON4 ,Y\ DES]VE TO SLEEP #f1 #g1 #h1 OR H[ MANY OR LITTLE H\RS A NI<T Y\ NE$ TO FUNCTION4 ,Y\ DES]VE TO EAT GOOD FOOD ) GOOD FRI5DS & FAMILY1 *OS5 & BIOLOGICAL4 ,Y\ DES]VE SO MU* MORE \T ( LIFE ?AN ?IS %ITTY BROK5 UGLY CAPITALI/ PATRI>*AL SY/EM4 O 

0,I CAN'T AF=D TO WAIT UNTIL AFT] CAPITALISM HAS BE5 ABOLI%$ TO BE HAPPY1 & ,I D\BT Y\ CAN EI!R40 

,CLASS /RUGGLE & DEPRESSION3 !SE TWO CONCEPTS >E LIKE M5TAL BUZZWORDS TO ME AS !Y HAVE BO? PLAY$ A MAJOR ROLE 9 DEF9+ :O ,I AM1 AS MU* AS ,I HATE TO ADMIT IT4 ,I HAVE NEV] ACTUALLY US$ ! TWO ( !M 9 ! SAME S5T5CE BECAUSE ,I NEV] MADE A SUB/ANTIVE CONNECTION BETWE5 ! TWO-- CLASS /RUGGLE IS POLITICAL1 DEPRESSION IS P]SONAL4 ,BUT :5 ,I SAW ! CALL = SUBMISSIONS TO ?IS TEXT1 ,I KNEW ?AT !RE WAS PROBABLY A DEEP-ROOT$ CONNECTION ?AT IS IMP]ATIVE TO UND]/& IF WE >E GO+ TO EFFECTIVELY FI<T 9 ! CLASS /RUGGLE4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 BUT NOT CO9CID5TALLY1 MANY ( US 9VOLV$ 9 ! MOVEM5T HAVE SUFF]$ FROM DEPRESSION &_/OR ANY NUMB] ( EMOTIONAL_/PSY*OLOGICAL ISSUES4 ,EV5 WORSE1 !SE >E TYPICALLY ! FACTORS :I* CONTRIBUTE TO A RANGE ( 9T]NAL PROBLEMS 9 \R ORGANIZ+ WORK1 & MANY TIMES CAN LEAD TO BURN\T4 

,SO1 H[ DO WE BEG9 MAK+ ! CONNECTION BETWE5 DEPRESSION & ! CLASS /RUGGLE1 & TO :AT 5D8 ,I C\LD BEG9 BY TELL+ Y\ MY P]SONAL /ORY1 AB\T MY LIFE-LONG BATTLES ) DEPRESSION & ! SMORGASBORD ( RELAT$ ISSUES1 BUT1 AS !RAPEUTIC AS IT MAY BE1 ?AT W\LD 9DIVIDUALIZE :AT IS 9 FACT A SOCIETAL PROBLEM4 

,OR ,I C\LD BEG9 BY /AT+ ! OBVI\S1 ?AT \R EMOTIONAL & PSY*OLOGICAL PROBLEMS >E CONSEQU5CES ( SOCIAL /RATIFICATION1 PATRI>*Y1 & ! O!R DYSFUNCTIONAL ELEM5TS ( SOCIETY1 & FOLL[ ?IS ) A ,M>X QUOTE4 ,BUT MANY ( US >E ALREADY AW>E ( ! SOCIETAL REASONS :Y WE >E UNHAPPY4 ,JU/ UND]/&+ ?IS DOESN'T HELP MU* 9 F9D+ A WAY ( COP+ ) ! BATTLES WE FACE EV]Y S+LE DAY1 AT LEA/ NOT = ME4 ,I P]SONALLY CAN'T AF=D TO WAIT UNTIL AFT] CAPITALISM HAS BE5 ABOLI%$ TO BE HAPPY1 & ,I D\BT Y\ CAN EI!R4 

,9/EAD1 ,I WANT TO =M A BETT] UND]/&+ NOT JU/ ( H[ TO UND]/& :AT \R PROBLEMS >E & :AT HAS CAUS$ !M1 BUT H[ WE CAN USE \R ANG] TO FUEL \R /RUGGLE4 ,OR1 TO P>APHRASE ! AN>*O-PUNK B& ,CRASS1 TURN ! NATURE ( !IR OPPRESSION 9TO ! ES!TIC ( \R ANG]4 

,9 MY EXP]I5CE1 ,I'VE F\ND ?AT MANY ( US UND]/& ! PROBLEM & DO \R BE/ TO MAKE ?+S BETT] = \RSELVES--TO MAKE LIFE COM=TABLE AT LEA/--YET SOMETIMES IT'S NEV] 5\<4 ,WE TRY MA9/REAM M$IC9E & ALT]NATIVE M$IC9E & L[-CO/ !RAPY & ! BE/ !RAPY \R CITY HAS TO (F]1 SOMETIMES WE EV5 READ Z9ES OR COMM]CIAL SELF-HELP BOOKS1 BUT NONE ( !SE SEEM TO PROVIDE SATISFY+1 LONG-T]M SOLUTIONS4 

,I'VE LE>N$ ?AT :ILE !RE IS NO 0CURE0 = ! EMOTIONAL & PSY*OLOGICAL ISSUES :I* ,I HAVE TO COPE ) ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS1 ,I CAN USE MY UND]- /&+ ( ITS ROOT CAUSES TO 5GAGE 9 ACTIVITY ?AT MAKES ! P]SONAL POLITICAL1 & ?AT DRIVES ME 9TO ACTION1 ESPECIALLY ON BAD DAYS4 ,HAV+ ?IS UND]/&+ 
DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL BETT]1 IT JU/ MAKES ME ANGRI]1 BUT AS A CLASS /RUGGLE AN>*O-SYNDICALI/ ,I HAVE C]TA9LY LE>N$ :AT TO DO ) MY ANG]4 ,P]HAPS ?IS S\NDS CLI*E1 BUT 5GAG+ 9 ! CLASS /RUGGLE IS :AT KEEPS ME DRIV51 IT HELPS ME SPR+ \T ( ! FEEL+ ( DRUDG]Y :5 ,I'M AT WORK1 IT GIVES ME A SOLID NETWORK ( C\*ES TO SLEEP ON :5 ,I'M TRAVEL+1 & IT GIVES ME ! FEEL+ ( BE+ CONNECT$ ) LIKE-M9D$ PEOPLE 9 AN O!RWISE ALI5AT+ SOCIETY4 ,\R ORGANIZ+ WORK IS NOT JU/ A FI<T AGA9/ ! BOSSES1 BUT IT 9VOLVES BUILD+ A COMMUNITY ( PEOPLE :O WE >E FI<T+ ALONGSIDE4 ,:5 WE SUPPORT EA* O!R AS WE FI<T TOGE!R1 WE'RE ONE /EP CLOS] TO CUR+ DEPRESSION4 O 

0,REMEMB] ?AT !RE WILL BE A DAY :5 ! LI<TS />T TO GET TURN$ BACK ON AGA94440 

,! PROBLEM ,I'VE F\ND ) DEPRESSION IS ?AT444 WELL1 IT'S LIFELONG1 & AS SU* SNEAKS 9 & TAKES MU* ( Y\R LIFE AWAY4 ,I'M NOT 9VOLV$ ) ANY GR\PS1 ,I DON'T ATT5D ANY MEET+S444 ,I'M POLITICALLY AW>E1 YET HAVE NO REAL 5GAGEM5T ) ANY CAMPAIGNS4 ,GRADUALLY1 OV] ! C\RSE ( MY LIFE1 ,I'VE )DRAWN FROM MORE & MORE ?+S4 

,DEPRESSION ISOLATES Y\4 ,IT ISN'T JU/ BE+ SAD2 IT'S A COMPLETE LACK ( HOPE OR 9CL9ATION1 USUALLY ACCOMPANI$ BY MISPLAC$ & 9DEF9ABLE ANXIETY4 ,H[ DO Y\ TAKE P>T 9 A /RUGGLE :5 Y\ CAN'T EV5 SEE ! PO9T 9 *ANG+ Y\R CLO!S8 ,H[ DO Y\ ATT5D A MEET+ OR A PROTE/1 :5 JU/ ! IDEA ( WALK+ 9TO A ROOM FULL ( PEOPLE--OR EV5 LEAV+ Y\R H\SE 9 ! FIR/ PLACE --FILLS Y\ ) COLD-SWEAT FE>8 ,EV5 IF !SE >E PEOPLE Y\'VE KN[N Y\R :OLE LIFE1 IT CAN DRIVE AN 9VISIBLE W$GE ( HUMILIATION & FE> BETWE5 Y\4 ,I'VE DRIV5 PEOPLE AWAY FROM ME1 PEOPLE ,I'VE LOV$1 BECAUSE ,I C\LDN'T COPE ) :O & :AT ,I BECOME :5 ,I'M DEPRESS$4 

,:5 ! DEPRESSION IS CL9ICAL1 AS M9E IS1 Y\'RE TOLD AGA9 & AGA9 ?AT Y\ >E 9CAPABLE ( WORK1 ?AT Y\R HORIZONS MU/ BE L[]$ TO TAKE 9TO ACC\NT Y\R ACTUAL ABILITIES 7V]SUS Y\R DESIR$ ABILITIES74 ,SO H[ CAN Y\ TAKE P>T 9 A /RUGGLE = WORK]S :5 DEEP D[N 9SIDE Y\1 Y\ FEEL ?AT Y\ >E NOT A WORK]1 ?AT Y\ >E A FAILURE8 ,H[ CAN Y\ DEF9E Y\RSELF 9 ! CLASS /RUGGLE :5 Y\ HAVE BE5 DECL>$ 'CLASSLESS' 9 ! WOR/ WAY-- Y\ DON'T BELONG ANY:]E1 EXCEPT ON M$ICATION444 ,H[ CAN Y\ /& UP 9 FRONT ( A GR\P ( FRI5DS & DECL>E Y\R HE>T IS 9 ! CAUSE1 :5 JU/ LA/ WEEK Y\ W]E %\T+ AT EV]YONE ?AT ! :OLE ?+ WAS BULL%IT & PO9TLESS--IT'S JU/ ALL-R\ND HUMILIAT+1 MAKES Y\ FEEL %ALL[ & 9CONSI/5T4 ,BUT IT'S NOT Y\1 IT'S *EMICALS 9 Y\R BRA9 TEMPOR>ILY DISRUPT+ Y\R PATT]NS4 

,GR\PS LIKE LIBCOM4ORG >E EXCELL5T = ! LIKES ( ME4 ,I DIDN'T GR[ UP >\ND ANYONE POLITICALLY AW>E OR ACTIVE4 ,MY P>5TS W]E ,TORIES4 ,LUCKILY MY GR&P>5TS W]E SOCIALI/S1 & ?\< !Y DI$ :5 ,I WAS Y\NG1 !Y PO9T$ ME 9 ! DIRECTION !Y C\LD SEE ,I %\LD BE HEAD$ 94 ,BUT DEPRESSION HAS ISOLAT$ ME1 & AS A RESULT ,I DON'T EV5 KN[ :]E TO />T444 

,MY ADVICE IF Y\ HAVE DEPRESSION8 ,FLAG IT UP4 ,SPEAK \T1 NOT = PITY1 :I* Y\ WON'T WANT ANYWAY1 BUT JU/ AS A FACT ?AT %\LD BE \T !RE4 ,RECLAIM Y\R DEPRESSION AS A P>T ( Y\R WIR+--IT'S ONE ( ! REASONS Y\ >E ABLE TO SEE ! TRU?S 9 ! WORLD4 ,DEPRESSION IS P>T ( US1 O!RWISE EVOLUTION W\LD'VE DRIV5 IT \T BY N[6 ,IT GIVES US NEW P]SPECTIVES :5 WE COME \T ! O!R SIDE1 BUT ! DANG] IS ?AT ON ! WAY ?R\< Y\ RETREAT & PU% EV]YONE AWAY1 SO :5 Y\ REEM]GE !RE'S NO ONE TO TELL Y\R 9SI<TS TO1 :I* MAKES Y\ ISOLAT$1 )DRAWN--& MORE PRONE TO DEPRESSION4 

,MORE IMPORTANTLY = ?OSE 9 GR\PS :O WANT TO SUPPORT DEPRESSIVES444 KEEP AN EYE ON !M4 ,WAT* \T = SIGNS ?AT DEPRESSION IS W9N+ & ?AT A FEEL+ ( PO9TLESSNESS IS TAK+ OV]--NOT ATT5D+ MEET+S1 COM+ UP ) EXCUSES NOT TO SOCIALIZE 7MO/ ( MY FRI5DS W\LDN'T KN[ ,I WAS DEPRESSIVE-- !Y'D JU/ ?9K ,I HAD A FULL TIMETABLE ( O!R 5GAGEM5TS1 ALL ( :I* >E 9V5T$71 )DRAW+444 

,H[ TO HELP8 ,REMEMB] ?AT !RE WILL BE A DAY :5 ! LI<TS />T TO GET TURN$ BACK ON AGA91 KEEP ?AT P]SON 9VOLV$ 9 ANY SMALL WAY1 SO ?AT :5 ! LI<TS GO BACK ON IT'S NOT EMB>RASS+ = !M TO REEM]GE 7,I'VE F\ND ?AT TO BE ! BIGGE/ PROBLEM--GETT+ BACK 9VOLV$ MAKES Y\ FEEL AWFUL = DROPP+ \T74 ,BR+ !M /UFF TO READ1 FIRE !M UP4 ,MUSIC ALWAYS HELPS1 ! LI<!>T$ & ! SIMPLE ALWAYS HELPS4 ,A CUP ( TEA & SOME NEW MUSIC1 TOGE!R ) A BIT ( TUB-?UMP+ RHETORIC CAN RE-IGNITE A T9Y SP>K SOME:]E4 ,REMEMB] ?AT WE CAN /ILL SPOT 'PATRONIZ+'2 TREAT US AS ! P]SON Y\ KN[ WE >E1 REMEMB] ?AT \R TEMPOR>Y 9SECURITIES WILL MAKES US FEEL NE$Y & PA!TIC4 ,MAKE US FEEL USEFUL 7P]SONALLY1 :5 ,I'M DEPRESS$1 LONG1 DRAWN-\T REPETITIVE TASKS WORK WOND]S = TAK+ ME AWAY FROM MYSELF674 

0,! ,P]SONAL IS ,POLITICAL0 

,S9CE BECOM+ CONV9C$ ( ! NE$ TO OV]?R[ CAPITALISM & ! /ATE & REPLACE IT ) A MORE JU/1 EGALIT>IAN & SU/A9ABLE SY/EM1 ,I HAVE MADE ?AT /RUGGLE ! PRIM>Y FOCUS ( MY LIFE = OV] A DECADE4 

,:5 COMRADES CAUTION$ ME TO SL[ D[N & TAKE IT EASY 9 ORD] TO AVOID BURN+ \T1 ,I DISMISS$ !IR ADVICE4 ,:5 O!RS SAID !Y W]E BURNT \T1 OR NE$$ TIME TO RECUP]ATE & GA!R !MSELVES1 & TOOK A /EP BACK 
FROM BE+ DIRECTLY 9VOLV$ 9 ! MOVEM5T1 ,I 9W>DLY ?\<T ?AT !Y LACK$ COMMITM5T1 OR HAD LO/ !IR CONVICTION4 ,BURN\T1 ,I ?\<T1 WAS A B\RGEOIS LUXURY4 

,! LA/ FEW YE>S PRIOR TO WRIT+ ?IS >TICLE HAVE BE5 PROBABLY ! MO/ DIFFICULT ( MY LIFE--FROM ! DEPRESSION CAUS$ BY FAIL$ ROMANCE1 ! DEA? ( SOME FAMILY MEMB]S & ! LIFE-?REAT5+ ILLNESS ( O!RS1 TO PHYSICAL &_/OR M5TAL HEAL? PROBLEMS--C]TA9LY ! LA/ ?REE OR SO MON?S BE=E ,I LEFT = ABROAD HAD SE5 ME HIT AN ALL-TIME L[4 ,ORD9>ILY1 UND] SU* CIRCUM/ANCES ,I W\LD HAVE 9VE/$ MORE ( MY TIME1 5]GY & FOCUS 9 POLITICAL WORK 9 ORD] TO DI/RACT MYSELF4 ,BUT ) MY [N POLITICAL ORGANI- SATION GO+ ?R\< SOME:AT ( A CRISIS1 ?IS DIDN'T SEEM TO HELP2 ?R[+ UP EV5 MORE DIFFICULT QUE/IONS ) :I* ,I FELT ,I HAD TO DEAL4 ,NOT KN[+ H[ TO1 & SOMETIMES NOT FEEL+ AS ?\< ,I HAD SOME:]E OR SOMEONE TO TURN TO = HELP & ADVICE1 OR EV5 = COM=T1 ,I FREQU5TLY F\ND MYSELF TURN+ TO ALCOHOL AS A MEANS ( ESCAPE1 DULL+-D[N ( ! S5SES OR JU/ TO PASS ! TIME4 ,O!R TIMES ,I SIMPLY F\ND MYSELF TRY+ TO SLEEP ! DAY AWAY1 AS ?\< :AT ,I WAS EXP]I5C+ WAS A BAD DREAM FROM :I*1 ,I HOP$1 ,I W\LD SOON AWAKE4 

,FEEL+ UNABLE & UNWILL+ TO DEAL ) EXT]NAL PRESSURES ,I OCCASIONALLY SEV]$ COMMUNICATION ) O!R PEOPLE & COMRADES1 OR AT LEA/ C\LDN'T BO!R MYSELF TO RESPOND TO ATTEMPTS--H[EV] URG5T--TO REA* ME4 ,I M5TION ?IS ONLY BECAUSE ,I HAVE WITNESS$ SIMIL> BEHAVIOR 9 O!R COMRADES & HAVE CONCLUD$ ?AT SU* BEHAVIORAL PATT]NS >E PECULI> NEI!R TO MYSELF NOR TO PEOPLE ) M5TAL HEAL? DIAGNOSES1 BUT CAN BE EXP]I5C$ & EXPRESS$1 TO V>Y+ DEGREES1 BY ANYONE4 

,CONSEQU5TLY1 = ! F9AL FEW WEEKS OR MON?S BE=E LEAV+ ,S\? ,AFRICA ,I F\ND MYSELF UNABLE TO P]=M MY DUTIES OR MEET EXPECTATIONS4 ,I FALT]$ ON M&ATES & CON/ANTLY FELT ?AT ,I WAS LETT+ MYSELF1 MY COMRADES &1 BY EXTRAPOLATION1 ! CLASS & ITS /RUGGLE D[N4 ,?IS F$ 9TO A CYCLE ( SELF-LOA?+1 DEPRESSION & 9ABILITY TO PROP]LY FUNCTION ON A P]SONAL OR POLITICAL LEVEL4 

,HAD ,I JU/ BE5 FAC$ ) A P]SONAL CRISIS1 OR JU/ BE5 FAC$ ) A POLITICAL CRISIS ,I MAY WELL HAVE BE5 ABLE TO COPE4 ,AFT] ALL1 ,I'D BE5 CONFRONT$ BY & OV]COME BO? BE=E4 ,BUT1 F9D+ MYSELF AT ! 9T]SECTION ( ! TWO1 ,I WAS LO/ = A WAY \T4 ,AS ! OLD FEM9I/ DICTUM GOES1 0! P]SONAL IS ! POLITICAL04 

,I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BE5 ABLE TO GO TO ,BRAZIL :5 ,I DID1 AL?\< ?AT 9 ITSELF BR\<T NEW *ALL5GES1 UNC]TA9TIES & 9SECURITIES--BO? P]SONAL & POLITICAL4 ,BUT HAD ,I NOT1 ,I'M NOT SURE H[ ,I W\LD HAVE COP$4 ,I ?9K ,I N>R[LY AVOID$ BURN+ \T :I*1 ,I'VE SE51 IT CAN TAKE YE>S TO RECOV] FROM4 

,BE+ ABROAD ,I HAD ! OPPORTUNITY ( CONV]S+ ) SOME TRULY KN[L$GE- ABLE & 9SPIRATIONAL AN>*I/ SOCIALI/ MILITANTS ?AT REC\NT$ SIMIL> EXP]I5CES--( LOS+ BRILLIANT M9DS & MILITANTS TO BURN\T1 DEPRESSION & ADDICTION--REM9D+ ME ?AT ,I WAS NOT ALONE & ?AT1 LIKE EV]YONE ELSE1 WE SOCIALI/S >E HUMAN4 ,WE GO ?R\< UPS & D[NS1 HAVE GOOD TIMES & BAD ONES4 ,SOMETIMES WE COPE1 SOMETIMES WE DON'T4 

,?IS IS MAYBE EV5 MORE TRUE ( SOCIALI/ MILITANTS1 AS NOT ONLY >E WE LIV+ UND] ! ODI\S YOKE ( CLASS SOCIETY--) ALL ?AT ?AT 5TAILS--BUT WE >E ACTIVELY TRY+ TO *ANGE IT1 AGA9/ FRI<T5+ ODDS4 ,P]HAPS EV5 MORE SO ?AN SOCIALI/S 9 G5]AL1 C\LD ?IS BE TRUE ( AN>*I/ SOCIALI/S1 :OSE IDEAS & VISION >E EV5 MORE ALI5AT$ & ISOLAT$--CONTEMPOR>ILY SPEAK- +--NOT JU/ FROM ! POPUL> CLASSES WE SEEK TO CONV9CE !RE(1 BUT FROM MU* ( ! RE/ ( ! LEFT AS WELL4 ,9 ! CASE ( AN>*I/S 9 ,S\? ,AFRICA ONE C\LD ADD TO ?IS POLITICAL ISOLATION FROM MU* ( ! LEFT1 \R GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION FROM MO/ ( ! RE/ ( ! 9T]NATIONAL AN>*I/ MOVEM5T-- MO/LY CONC5TRAT$ 9 ,EUROPE & ! ,AM]ICAS4 ,?IS POLITICAL & GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION CAN BE COMP\ND$ /ILL :5 MILITANTS FEEL A REAL OR P]CEIV$ P]SONAL ISOLATION AS WELL1 ONE SOMETIMES EV5 SELF-IMPOS$4 

,AS ) ! POPUL> CLASSES AS A :OLE1 :I* FLUCTUATE BETWE5 P]IODS ( HEI<T5$ CLASS CONSCI\SNESS & COMBATIVE CLASS /RUGGLE1 & P]IODS ( DECL9E 9 BO?2 SO TOO MI<T 9DIVIDUALS GO ?R\< P]IODS ( FLUCTUAT+ LEVELS ( MILITANCY OR ACTIVITY4 

,:5 CLASS CONSCI\SNESS & /RUGGLE >E AT A L[ EBB1 ! POPUL> CLASSES BECOME MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO OPPORTUNI/ ?REATS 9 !IR DESP]ATION TO ALLEVIATE !IR [N SUFF]+ & MIS]Y--FROM P[]-HUNGRY POLITICIANS TO P>ASITIC ORGANIZ$ RELIGIONS & REACTION>Y IDEOLOGIES4 ,SO TOO MAY 9DIVIDUAL MILITANTS BECOME MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ! DANG]S POS$ BY LONEL9ESS & DEPRESSION1 ADDICTION & DISILLUSIONM5T ?AT C\LD BE SPURR$ ON BY ! 9CREAS$ ALI5ATION & ISOLATION ( BO? !MSELVES & !IR IDEAS 9 ! CONTEXT ( DECREAS$ LEVELS ( CONSCI\SNESS1 POLITICIZATION1 & /RUGGLE4 ,IT IS 9 SU* A CONTEXT ( DECREAS$ CLASS CONSCI\SNESS ?AT WE F9D \RSELVES TODAY1 & IT 
IS ! ACCOMPANY+ ?REATS FAC$ BY 9DIVIDUAL MILITANTS AGA9/ :I* WE NE$ TO GU>D4 

,IT'S IMP]ATIVE ?AT AS 9DIVIDUALS & ORGANIZATIONS WE UND]/& !SE ISSUES & ?AT WE ACTIVELY SEEK TO ALLEVIATE !M AS MU* AS POSSIBLE4 ,I DON'T CLAIM TO HAVE EASY ANSW]S1 BUT SIMPLY HAV+ !SE DISCUSSIONS IS SURELY A /EP 9 A POSITIVE DIRECTION4 ,FROM !RE WE CAN BEG9 TO BUILD /RUCTURES ( SUPPORT & DEVELOP \R [N CAPABILITIES1 AS 9DIVIDUALS & AS A MOVEM5T1 TO CREATE /RATEGIES = DEFEAT+ BURN\T & KEEP+ ALIVE ! FLAME ( AN>*I/-SOCIALI/ RESI/ANCE4 O 

0,! REVOLUTION WILL WAIT = Y\40 

,! LA/ TIME ,I W5T 9TO ! HOSPITAL WAS BECAUSE ( A M5TAL CRA% ?AT OCCURR$ :ILE ,I WAS WORK+ AT A S*OOL 9 ! POOR ,FR5* T[N :]E ,I LIVE ) MY WIFE & \R SON4 ,AT ! TIME ,I WAS V]Y D$ICAT$ TO MY JOB & TO MY UNION4 ,?AT YE> ,I'D BE5 ON /RIKE MANY TIMES1 FI<T+ AGA9/ A DIRECTOR :O WAS WILL+ TO FIRE ! :OLE SUP]VISORY /AFF1 ( :I* ,I WAS AN EMPLOYEE4 ,I DEF5D$ MY COLLEAGUES ON A DAILY BASIS & WAS UND] PRESSURE EV]Y M9UTE ?AT ,I SP5T AT WORK4 

,UN=TUNATELY1 ,I ALSO HAD TO FI<T AGA9/ ! KIDS4 ,IT WAS 7& /ILL IS7 A S*OOL ) A V]Y VIOL5T & CONFRONTATIONAL 5VIRONM5T4 ,AS AN AN>*I/1 IT'S NOT EASY TO YELL AT KIDS4 ,BUT :5 A FI<T OCCURS1 Y\ DON'T MAKE SUGGE/IONS4 ,Y\ SAY SOME?+ LIKE1 0,I ORD] Y\ TO DROP ! KNIFE N[60 ,?AT'S AN EXTREME EXAMPLE1 BUT IT DOES MEAN Y\ 5D UP ACT+ LIKE A FUCK+ COP1 SOMETIMES RESORT+ TO PHYSICAL CO]CION4 ,I CAN ASSURE Y\ ?AT IT MAKES Y\ FEEL BAD4 

,?IS /RESS FOLL[$ ME HOME & ,I WAS ALWAYS 9 BAD MOOD4 ,:5 ,I WASN'T ANGRY1 ,I WAS DEPRESS$ TO ! PO9T ,I WANT$ TO VANI% (F ! PLANET4 ,I W5T TO ! DOCTOR (T5 & TOOK TIME (F WORK4 ,GO+ \T = A WALK WASN'T REALLY A GOOD IDEA AS ! 9EVITABLE YELL+ & /REET FI<T+ ONLY 9CREAS$ MY /RESS4 ,IT CAME TO ! PO9T ?AT ,I HAD TO TAKE A MON? (F1 /AY+ 9 MY ROOM1 FEEL+ TOTALLY CRAZY4 

,MY DOCTOR !N S5T ME TO A PUBLIC M5TAL HEAL? C5T]4 ,I ACCEPT$ A /AY ( TWO WEEKS4 ,IT WAS DIFFICULT4 ,:AT MADE ME FEEL BETT] WAS TO HELP ! O!R PATI5TS4 ,I F$ A WOMAN :O HAD REFUS$ TO EAT = ?REE DAYS1 %>$ MY CIG>ETTES1 TRI$ TO CALM D[N A GUY :O WAS 9 CRISIS1 & LI/5$ TO ! SAD /ORIES ( O!R PATI5TS4 ,! M$ICAL /AFF W]E COOL ) ?AT4 ,I WASN'T TRY+ TO 9T]F]E1 JU/ TRY+ TO BE K9D 9 A V]Y SAD & UNPLEASANT PLACE4 

,SOME COMRADES TRI$ TO REA* ME REG>D+ UNION-RELAT$ QUE/IONS4 ,I TOLD TRU/$ COMRADES AB\T ! SITUATION1 MADE IT CLE> ?AT MY TOP PRIORITY WAS A HEAL?Y M5TAL /ATE1 & GAVE UP ALL RESPONSIBILITIES4 ,I TRI$ NOT TO FEEL GUILTY AB\T IT4 

,M5TAL HEAL? HAS BE5 A LIFELONG ISSUE = ME4 ,I WAS FIR/ S5T TO A PSY*OLOGI/ AT AGE #i & AGA9 AS A TE5AG]4 ,EV5 ) ?IS1 ,I DROPP$ \T ( S*OOL4 ,IT 
*ANG$ A BIT A YE> LAT] ) MY FIR/ JOB & MY 9CREAS+ 9T]E/ 9 POLITICS4 ,BUT ! DEPRESSION HAS ALWAYS BE5 !RE3 ! FEEL+S ( LONEL9ESS1 ! IMPRESSION ?AT MY LIFE HAS NO MEAN+1 ?AT ,I WILL NEV] FEEL S]5ITY1 & ! (T5 & ALL-TOO-REAL S5TIM5T ?AT ,I'VE LO/ T\* ) REALITY4 

,?IS SC>$ ME TO DEA? SOMETIMES4 ,P>ADOXICALLY1 ! ONLY MOM5TS ,I'VE FELT REALLY GOOD W]E :5 ,I TOOK DRUGS4 ,I />T$ SMOK+ POT AT #a#b4 ,I'VE DONE ALL ! DRUGS ,I C\LD TRY S9CE4 ,CAN ,I SAY1 TODAY1 ?AT MY M5TAL ISSUES >E L9K$ TO MY DRUG CONSUMPTION & VICE V]SA8 ,YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,BUT IT'S TAK5 ME A LONG TIME TO ADMIT IT4 

,:5 GOT \T ( ! M5TAL HEAL? C5T]1 IT DIDN'T GO WELL4 ,I W5T BACK TO WORK1 TOOK TOO MANY DAYS (F & F9ALLY GOT FIR$4 ,I !N DECID$ TO DROP ! UNION4 ,! JOB WAS T\< BUT ,I LOV$ IT & IT WAS H>D TO ACCEPT ?AT ,I W\LDN'T BE A MILITANT 9 ! WORKPLACE4 ,SO ,I TOOK A YE> TO TAKE C>E ( MY M5TAL HEAL? & TO F9D A PR(ESSION ?AT W\LD FIT MY P]SONALITY4 ,I /ILL HAVE A PSY*OLOGI/ & A PSY*IATRI/ :O'VE HELP$ ME ) EV]Y /EP4 

,AFT] ONE YE> ( TREATM5T1 ,I'VE F\ND ANO!R JOB4 ,IT'S NOT ! K9D ( WORK MO/ PEOPLE W\LD 5JOY1 BUT ,I'M P]FECTLY HAPPY ) IT4 

,MY FAMILY WAS ! MA9 REASON ,I F\<T SO H>D TO IMPROVE MY SITUATION4 ,IT WAS V]Y PA9FUL = ME TO BE UNABLE TO TAKE C>E ( !M & SUPPORT !M ?R\< !IR [N PROBLEMS4 ,I HAVE TO ADMIT ?AT WE DIDN'T TELL \R *ILD AB\T MY ISSUES :ILE ,I WAS 9 TREATM5T4 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO SC>E HIM OR MAKE HIM SAD4 ,I WILL WAIT TO TELL HIM UNTIL ! DAY ?AT HE WILL BE ABLE TO UND]/&4 ,I'M TRY+ TO BE A /RONG P]SON = MY SON1 SOMEONE ?AT HE CAN C\NT ON4 ,IT'S V]Y H>D SOMETIMES4 

,IF ,I'M WRIT+ D[N MY /ORY1 IT'S BECAUSE ,I WANT TO TELL PEOPLE ) M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES ?AT Y\ HAVE TO ACCEPT Y\R [N WEAKNESS & SEEK ! HELP Y\ NE$4 ,KEEP FAI? 9 Y\RSELF & Y\R LOV$ ONES4 ,Y\ %\LDN'T FEEL GUILTY IF Y\ /OP ORGANIZ+4 

,SOME PEOPLE ?9K !Y CAN =GET !IR PROBLEMS BY GIV+ ALL !IR TIME TO ACTIVISM4 ,?AT'S UNREALI/IC4 ,Y\ CAN'T EXPECT M5TAL /ABILITY FROM ACTIVISM4 ,IF Y\ >E 9 A GOOD ORGANIZATION ) GOOD PEOPLE !Y %\LD UND]/& ?AT SOMETIMES A COMRADE NE$S TO QUIT UNION OR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES4 ,IF !Y DON'T1 !Y DON'T DES]VE Y\4 

,I /ILL HAVE UPS & D[NS4 ,BUT ,I HAVE ID5TIFI$ ?OSE PHASES & ,I KN[ ?AT :5 ,I'M FEEL+ BAD IT WON'T LA/ V]Y LONG4 ,N[ ,I HAVE A LOT MORE GOOD MOM5TS ?AN BAD ONES4 ,I'M A M5TALLY ILL P]SON2 ,I HAVE TO LIVE ) ?AT FACT & IT'S F9E4 ,! PA9 IS NOT AS /RONG AS IT US$ TO BE & N[ ,I KN[ :]E IT COMES FROM4 ,N[ ,I CAN MAKE LONG-T]M PLANS = MY LIFE & ,I HAVE EV5 />T$ TO WRITE A BOOK6 

,:ILE ,I WAS 9 ! M5TAL HEAL? C5T] ,I CREAT$ A K9D ( CODE ( CONDUCT & IT HELP$ A LOT4 ,H]E IT IS3 

,PSY*OLOGI/ & PSY*IATRI/3 ,GIVE ! PA9 A NAME 

,Y\ %\LD HAVE ONE P]SON TO TALK TO & ONE DOCTOR TO GIVE Y\ ! RI<T TREATM5T4 ,Y\ HAVE TO BE ! ONE TO *OOSE !M4 ,GIVE !M A TRY = A MON?4 ,IF Y\ DON'T FEEL COM=TABLE TALK+ TO !M1 TRY SOMEONE DIFF]5T4 

,Y\ %\LD TRY TO ?9K AB\T Y\R CONV]SATIONS ) Y\R PSY*OLOGI/ ONCE 9 A :ILE 7NOT TOO (T57 & BE PREP>$ ) IDEAS ?AT CAME TO M9D BETWE5 MEET+S4 ,9 ! CASE :]E Y\ DON'T HAVE ANY?+ TO SAY1 IT'S NOT BAD AT ALL4 ,IT'S A P>T ( ! PROCESS4 ,DON'T FEEL A%AM$ OR FRU/RAT$1 ?OSE SIL5CES MEAN A LOT4 

,IT WILL TAKE TIME TO F9D GOOD M$ICAL TREATM5T4 ,Y\ WILL HAVE TO BE PATI5T BE=E Y\ FEEL BETT]4 ,IF A TREATM5T MAKES Y\ FEEL BAD1 *ANGE IT4 ,WE ALL REACT 9 DIFF]5T WAYS TO M$ICATION4 ,! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ IS TO FEEL /ABLE4 ,! PILLS Y\ TAKE WON'T MAKE Y\ A HAPPY P]SON4 ,/ABILITY IS KEY4 ,Y\ NE$ M5TAL /ABILITY TO ?9K & TO ACT RATIONALLY4 ,M5TAL /ABILITY WILL HELP Y\ ID5TIFY ! S\RCE ( Y\R PA94 ,Y\R DOCTOR %\LD TELL Y\ :AT IT IS & Y\ WILL TALK AB\T IT4 ,Y\ WILL HAVE A NAME = IT4 ,IT WILL HELP Y\ A LOT = ! NEXT /EPS4 

,AVOID ! GUILT3 ,DO ONE ?+1 BE PR\D ( IT4 

,IF Y\'RE FEEL+ SO BAD ?AT Y\ DON'T HAVE ! 5]GY TO DO ANY?+1 ACCEPT IT4 ,Y\ HAVE TO ADMIT ?AT Y\ CAN'T ACT AS A /ABLE P]SON W\LD4 ,IT'S OK4 ,BUT IF Y\ DON'T CLEAN Y\R LIV+ SPACE1 DON'T WA% Y\RSELF & DO NO?+ AT ALL1 Y\ WILL />T TO FEEL EV5 WORSE4 

,Y\ %\LD AT LEA/ DO ONE ?+ A DAY4 ,NOT NECESS>ILY SOME?+ USEFUL4 ,F9D 
ONE GOOD GUIT> RIFF1 WRITE A FEW WORDS 9 A P]SONAL DI>Y1 TAKE A %[]1 VACUUM Y\R B$ROOM1 WAT* A GOOD MOVIE1 DRAW Y\R PA9444 ,TAKE FIVE TO T5 M9UTES TO DO ONE ?+ & GIVE Y\RSELF SOME RE/4 ,REMEMB]3 Y\ DID SOME- ?+ TODAY & Y\ WILL DO ONE ?+ TOMORR[444 BE PR\D4 

,IF Y\ HAVE IMPORTANT ?+S TO DO1 WRITE !M D[N4 ,TRY TO A*IEVE ONE ( !SE TASKS P] WEEK4 ,JU/ ONE P] WEEK4 ,IF Y\ CAN'T DO IT1 ?AT'S OK4 ,IT ONLY MEANS ?AT Y\'RE NOT READY YET4 ,MAYBE NEXT WEEK1 MAYBE NEXT MON?4 ,TAKE ! TIME Y\ NE$4 

,! :OLE IDEA IS TO AVOID FEEL+ GUILTY & TO BE PR\D ( Y\RSELF4 ,IF Y\ TRY & /ILL CAN'T DO ANY?+1 Y\'RE /ILL TRY+1 Y\ >E A FI<T]4 ,BE PR\D4 

,ACTIVISM3 ,ONLY IF Y\'RE FEEL+ WELL4 

,MAYBE DEPRESSION IS L9K$ TO ! CAPITALI/ SY/EM1 TO PATRI>*Y1 TO ! BAD 5VIRONM5T4 ,MAYBE NOT4 ,WE DON'T KN[ :5 WE WILL PUT AN 5D TO !SE SY/EMS ( DOM9ATION & DE/RUCTION4 ,\R DEPRESSION WON'T WAIT4 

,Y\ CAN SP5D Y\R :OLE LIFE 9 DEMON/RATIONS1 PUBLIC MEET+S1 GO+ ON /RIKE OR H&+ \T FLI]S4 ,IT WON'T HEAL Y\4 ,MO/ ( ! TIME Y\ WILL BE FRU/RAT$ BECAUSE :ATEV] Y\ DO1 IT WON'T G5]ALLY GO ! WAY Y\ WANT4 ,IT WON'T GO AS F> AS Y\ HOPE4 ,SOMETIMES Y\ WILL EV5 FI<T AGA9/ Y\R [N COMRADES4 ,SOMETIMES SOME?+ GOOD WILL HAPP54 ,9 ANY CASE1 IT WILL TAKE TIME & 5]GY4 ,DEPRESSIVE OR NOT1 IT CAN BE TOO MU* TO GIVE AT C]TA9 PO9TS 9 Y\R LIFE4 

,SURE1 IT CAN HELP TO HAVE FRI5DS :O UND]/& Y\R POLITICS4 ,!Y CAN GIVE Y\ ! /R5G? TO DO 9CR$IBLE ?+S1 A TRUE FRI5D%IP & A COMMUNITY ?AT %>ES Y\R S5SE ( SOLID>ITY4 ,?AT'S :Y Y\ %\LDN'T HESITATE3 ,IF Y\'RE FEEL+ ! NE$ TO TAKE A BREAK1 TAKE ?AT BREAK4 

,ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN POLITICS IS AB\T FRE$OM & Y\ %\LD FEEL FREE AB\T Y\R 9VOLVEM5T4 ,!RE'S A HUGE DIFF]5CE BETWE5 BE+ UNABLE TO DO /UFF BECAUSE Y\'RE NOT S]I\S AB\T IT & BE+ UNABLE TO DO /UFF BECAUSE Y\ CAN'T4 ,A REVOLUTION>Y ACTIVI/ %\LD KN[ ?AT WE NE$ TO BE /ABLE & RATIONAL TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS4 ,BUT ! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ IS Y\1 Y\R HEAL? & Y\R WELLBE+4 ,IF Y\R M5TAL HEAL? IS SUFF]+1 =GET ! RE/ & FOCUS ON Y\R [N PROBLEMS4 ,! REVOLUTION WILL WAIT = Y\4 O 

,WE MU/ CREATE \R [N MESSAGES ( SELF- RESPECT & PRIDE 9 \R HUMANITY4 0,:AT ! SPECTACLE HAS TAK5 FROM REALITY MU/ N[ BE RETAK5 FROM ! SPECTACLE40 

,I AM RECOV]+ FROM A M5TAL PROBLEM4 ,I'M NOT SURE :AT IT'S IS CALL$4 ,IT'S M5TION$ SOME:]E 9 A ,DAVID ,FO/] ,WALLACE BOOK4 ,I HE> HE SUFF]$ FROM SOME?+ SIMIL>4 ,HE HAD ?IS PROBLEM :]E HE W\LD SWEAT AT ! SLI<TE/ M5TAL TRIGG]4 ,& IF HE WORRI$ AB\T SWEAT+ IT W\LD ONLY MAKE HIM SWEAT MORE4 ,& ?IS MI<T NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL TO PEOPLE4 ,WE ALL SWEAT2 IT'S NOT SO BAD RI<T8 ,BUT IT'S NOT LIKE JU/ A LITTLE SWEAT W\LD BREAK \T & HE'D BE JU/ A BIT WET1 HE W\LD />T SWEAT+ BIG HUGE PUDDLES ( ! /UFF4 ,IMAG9E IF EV]Y TIME Y\ W]E 9 A ROOM ) SOMEONE & !Y C\LD SEE Y\R BODY Y\ W\LD JU/ />T TO UNCONTROLLABLY SWEAT4 ,& IF Y\ ?9K AB\T ! FACT ?AT Y\ >E SWEAT+ Y\ ONLY SWEAT MORE4 ,& !N Y\ />T WORRY+ AB\T H[ PEOPLE >E GO+ TO P]CEIVE Y\ = SWEAT+ CON/ANTLY1 CREEPILY1 HORRIBLY4 ,IT'S SO HORRIBLE IT'S H>D TO COMMUNICATE4 ,Y\ />T TO WORRY AB\T IT ALL DAY1 EV]Y DAY4 

,IT GETS TO ! PO9T :]E Y\ BASE Y\R LIFE >\ND ! ISSUE4 ,Y\ AVOID ANY & ALL SITUATIONS :]E ! \TBREAKS ( SWEAT MI<T OCCUR4 ,CLASS4 ,CLASS IS A M5TAL /RA9 Y\ CAN JU/ B>ELY TAKE4 ,TRAPP$ 9 A ROOM = ?REE H\RS AT A TIME 9 CLOSE PROXIMITY TO Y\R CLASSMATES4 ,NO:]E TO HIDE1 ! SWEAT P\R+ \T ( Y\1 ! OCCASIONAL GLANCE FROM DISGU/$ CLASSMATES4 ,EV]Y DAY4 ,& =GET AB\T GETT+ LAID4 ,NOT ONLY >E Y\ A M5TAL WRECK1 BUT SUPPOSE SOME- H[ Y\ DID MANAGE TO GET LAID4 ,:AT W\LD Y\ DO :5 IT CAME TIME TO CUDDLE ) Y\R P>TN]8 ,W\LD !Y ASK AB\T ! SWEAT8 ,IF !Y DID1 :AT W\LD Y\ SAY8 ,W\LD Y\ />T BAWL+ TO ?IS P]SON Y\ B>ELY KN[ & TELL !M ALL AB\T Y\R NEV]-5D+ NI<TM>E ( A LIFE8 ,?AT'D BE A REAL TURN ON4 ,NO4 ,NO4 ,\T ( ! QUE/ION4 

,! QUE/ION IS H[ TO COPE4 ,WELL ONE ?+ ?AT CAN HELP IS MUSIC & BOOKS4 ,!SE CAN BE V]Y !RAPEUTIC4 ,!Y DIDN'T MAKE ME HAPPY BUT !Y DID MAKE ME WANT TO LIVE4 ,!Y MADE ME FEEL ! BEAUTY BEH9D ALL ( MY PA94 ,:O C\LD D5Y ! BEAUTY ( A ,*OP9 ,NOCTURNE OR1 = ?AT MATT]1 A GREAT ,RADIOHEAD SONG8 ,I LI/5$ TO ?IS /UFF & ,I REALIZ$ ?AT DESPITE MY DEPRESSION1 DESPITE MY BE+ O/RACIZ$ ,I /ILL HAD SOME?+ QUITE WOND]FULLY HUMAN 9 ME4 ,! 
SADNESS EXPRESS$ 9 ! BOOKS ,I READ & ! MUSIC ,I LI/5$ TO HELP$ ME REGA9 MY HUMANITY4 ,!Y LEFT ME ) ! FIRM BELIEF ?AT ,I W\LD ONE DAY REGA9 SOME LEVEL ( SELF-RESPECT & MAYBE MAKE IT \T ( ?IS MADNESS ALIVE4 

,AFT] ,I F\ND \T AB\T AN>*I/-COMMUNI/ POLITICS1 ,I BEGAN TO REALIZE ?AT ! SPECTACLE ( MOD]N CONSUM]I/ SOCIETY TEA*ES US TO HATE \RSELVES = BE+ DEPRESS$4 ,\R SOCIETY IS RIFE ) MESSAGES ?AT 9SI/ ?AT SADNESS & LONEL9ESS IS A PROBLEM CREAT$ BECAUSE ( SOME SORT ( 9DIVIDUAL *>ACT] FLAW 9/EAD ( A /RUCTURAL ONE4 ,! SPECTACLE =CES EV]YONE TO DESP]ATELY TRY & MEET SOME /&>D ( HUMAN BEHAVIOR ?AT NOBODY CAN ACTUALLY ATTA9 & ?OSE ?AT DO ATTA9 IT >E (T5 QUITE MIS]ABLE4 ,IF Y\ >E DEPRESS$ RI<T N[ DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT IS Y\R [N FAULT4 ,I KN[ ?AT ME SAY+ ?IS WILL NOT COMPLETELY MAKE EV]Y?+ BETT]1 BUT />T TODAY BY ?9K+ AB\T H[ Y\ >E TOLD Y\ >E A CONTEMPTIBLE WOR?LESS NOBODY1 :5 9 FACT1 Y\ >E A HUMAN BE+ :O DES]VES TO BE TREAT$ ) C>E & COMPASSION4 

,Y\ MAY HAVE FUCK$ UP 9 Y\R LIFE1 BUT :O HASN'T8 ,?IS WORLD IS M]CILESS & CREATES 9SANITY 9 PEOPLE4 ,Y\ >E NOT TO BLAME4 ,IF Y\ ?9K !RE IS A P>T ( Y\ ?AT IS MORALLY REPREH5SIBLE TRY TO FIX ?IS BUT ALSO UND]/& ?AT NO MATT] :AT Y\ %\LD /ILL TREAT Y\RSELF ) RESPECT4 

,WE >E BOMB>D$ ALL DAY LONG ) MESSAGES ON ! TELEVISION1 ! 9T]NET1 MOVIES1 EV]Y:]E1 ?AT TELL US TO HATE \RSELVES4 ,WE MU/ DE/ROY !SE MESSAGES4 ,WE MU/ CREATE \R [N MESSAGES ( SELF-RESPECT & PRIDE 9 \R HUMANITY4 0,:AT ! SPECTACLE HAS TAK5 FROM REALITY MU/ N[ BE RETAK5 FROM ! SPECTACLE4 ,! SPECTACUL> EXPROPRIATORS MU/ BE EXPROPRIAT$ 9 !IR TURN40 ,DEPRESS$ COMRADES ( ! WORLD1 READ1 LI/51 SABOTAGE1 & DE/ROY6 O 

,P>T #d3 ,L9KS 

,H]E >E L9KS--SOME RADICAL1 SOME MORE MA9/REAM--:I* MAY BE HELP- FUL 9 A CRISIS SITUATION OR IF Y\'RE JU/ LOOK+ TO SEE H[ O!RS HAVE APPROA*$ !SE SAME QUE/IONS4 

!SURVIVORSM>K4TUMBLR4COM_/PO/_/#d#d#b#h#i#h#b#c#a#b_/HOTL9ES3 ,! ,SURVIVORS ,M>K IS A LI/+ ( V>I\S HELPL9ES COV]+ EV]Y?+ FROM SUICIDE PREV5TION TO DOME/IC ABUSE TO ADDICTION & TE5AGE PREGNANCY4 ,AL?\< PRIM>ILY FO- CUS$ ON ! ,U,S & ! ,U,K1 9T]NATIONAL HOTL9ES >E LI/$ AS WELL4 

!IC>USPROJECT4NET3 ,! ,IC>US ,PROJECT IS ONE ( ! LONGE/ RUNN+ & MO/ SUCCESFUL ( RADICAL M5TAL HEAL? PROJECTS4 ,) A SIZABLE ONL9E PRES5CE1 LOTS ( FANTA/IC >TWORK1 & LOCAL GR\PS >\ND ! WORLD1 ! ,IC>US ,PROJECT DESCRIBES !IR MISSION AS A 0COLLABORATIVE1 P>TICIPATORY ADV5TURE FUEL$ BY 9SPIRATION & MUTUAL AID40 ,*ECK 'EM \T4 

M9DFULOCCUPATION4ORG_/FILES_/BOOKLET_/M9DFUL.-OCCUPATION.-S+LES.-LATE/4PDF3 ,A L5G?Y PAMPHLET :I* CAME \T ( ! ,OCCUPY ,MOVEM5T & IS N[ BE+ PUBLI%$ BY ,A,K ,PRESS1 ,M9DFUL ,OCCUPATION IS TEXT DIRECT$ AT POLITICAL ACTIVI/S & ! SPACES & MOVEM5TS !Y CREATE4 ,:ILE ! POLITICS >5'T NECESS>ILY AN>*I/1 ?IS VIBRANTLY ILLU/RAT$ TEXT IS /ILL V]Y MU* WOR? A READ4 

ACTIVI/-TRAUMA4NET3 ,DESCRIB+ !MSELVES AS 0A BUN* ( ANTI-CAPITALI/ ACTIVI/S :O HAVE EI!R EXP]I5C$ OR BE5 CLOSE TO PEOPLE :O HAVE BE5 EFFECT$ BY ,P,T,S,D10 ,ACTIVI/ ,TRAUMA ,SUPPORT SEEKS TO HELP1 0POLITICAL ACTIVI/S :O MAY BE 9JUR$ DUR+ OR BY !IR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES & OR /RUGGL+ ) O!R M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES RELAT$ TO ACTIVISM40 ,AVAILABLE 9 ,5GLI% & ,FR5*4 

AN>*IA4FILES4WORDPRESS4COM_/#b#h_/#e_/\R-D>K-PASS5G]-V#b4PDF3 ,COM+ \T ( ,NEW ,ZEAL&1 ,\R ,D>K ,PASS5G] LOOKS AT ! 9T]SECTION ( ACTIVISM1 POLITICS1 & COMMUNITY4 ,ES!TICALLY /RIK+ & V]Y WELL WRITT51 IT IS FULL ( P]SONAL ACC\NTS4 ,BE C>EFUL1 H[EV]1 AS IT DEALS ) SOME V]Y 9T5SE SUBJECTS & COMES ) A ,T,R,I,G,G,] ,W,>,N,+ = ?OSE :O'VE SUFF]$ SUICIDAL ?\<TS4 

LIBCOM4ORG_/=UMS_/LIBCOMMUNITY_/V5T+-\R-DESPAIR-SUPPORT+-EA*-O!R-#a#a#a#b#b#a#a3 ,! ,LIBCOM ?READ :I* />T$ (F ?IS :OLE PAMPHLET4 ,CONTA9S PAGES ( ADVICE & TIPS ON DEAL+ ) NOT ONLY Y\R [N EMOTIONAL /RESS1 BUT SUPPORT+ ?OSE >\ND US :O MAY BE SUFF]+ FROM DEPRESSION4 O 

,P>T #e3 ,ADVICE FROM ,RADICAL ,M5TAL ,HEAL? ,PR(ESSIONALS 

,! FOLL[+ SECTION GIVES TIPS & ADVICE = NAVIGAT+ ! M5TAL HEAL? SY/EM1 RECEIV+ ! BE/ C>E = Y\1 & 5SUR+ Y\R VOICE & Y\R RI<TS >E RESPECT$ BY ! M$ICAL E/ABLI%M5T4 ,AL?\< ! CONTRIBUTORS >E BAS$ 9 ! ,U,K & ! ,U,S1 WE HOPE ! GI/ ( ! ADVICE WILL APPLY REG>DLESS4 

,!RAPY = ,AN>*I/S1 ,CLASS ,W>RIORS1 & ! ,RE/ ( ,US 

,DR4 ,*>LOTTE ,COOP] 

,9 ! ,U,K1 !RAPY HAS ROOTS 9 MIDDLE CLASS PHILAN?ROPY1 & IS (T5 ACCUS$ ( BE+ AN 9DIVIDUALI/IC RESPONSE TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS4 ,?IS IS (F-PUTT+ TO PEOPLE :O FEEL ?AT ! WID] SOCIAL CONTEXT IS RELEVANT TO \R LIVES4 ,BUT !RAPI/S >E A MIX$ BUN*4 ,SOME ( US SEE \R WORK AS P>T ( A BIGG] PROJECT ( SOCIAL *ANGE4 ,SOME ( US >E WORK+ CLASS TOO1 A FEW >E AN>*I/S1 & MANY BR+ O!R ID5TITIES & EXP]I5CE 9TO ! MIX4 

,HAV+ A C>+ SPACE 9 :I* Y\ >E LI/5$ TO2 UND]/&+ :AT'S GO+ ON & :Y Y\ FEEL SO AWFUL1 WORK+ ON MEAN+FUL & FEASIBLE WAYS TO ALLEVIATE ?AT PA9 >E ALL CRUCIAL /EPS = DEVELOP+ WELL-BE+4 ,I AM OBVI\SLY BIAS$ BECAUSE ,I AM A %R9K1 BUT ,I ?9K ?AT C\NSEL+ & PSY*O!RAPY 7,I USE !M FAIRLY 9T]*ANGEABLY7 >E PRIMO R\TES TO RESOLV+ LONG-T]M DEPRESSION1 ANXIETY1 & /RESS4 ,BUT GETT+ Y\R H&S ON SOME QUALITY1 POLITICALLY 5GAG$ PSY*O!RAPY :5 Y\'RE TOO DEPRESS$1 AFRAID1 OR ANXI\S TO MOVE IS ANO!R QUE/ION4 

,! HOLY GRAIL 

,! HOLY GRAIL3 ,V]Y *EAP OR FREE OP5-5D$ C\NSEL+_/PSY*O!RAPY 9 A /YLE ?AT IS COMPATIBLE ) Y\1 ) SOMEONE LOCAL :O IS CLU$-9 AB\T SOCIAL M>G9ALIZATION1 & HAS AT LEA/ SOME POLITICS & CONNECTION TO ! COMMUNITIES ) :OM !Y WORK4 

,OP5-5D$ MEANS ?AT Y\ DECIDE :5 Y\'RE READY TO F9I%4 ,HAV+ SOME- ONE CLU$-9 MEANS NOT HAV+ TO $UCATE ! !RAPI/ 9 ! BASICS ( Y\R 
LIFE1 & :]E !Y WILL HAVE A GRASP ( ! SOCIAL CONTEXT 9 :I* Y\ EXI/1 & HOPEFULLY SOME DESIRE = SOCIAL *ANGE4 ,A !RAPI/ :O HAS SOME CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY WILL BE LESS LIKELY TO PATRONIZE OR JUDGE4 ,IDEALLY ! !RAPI/ %\LD HAVE QUALIFICATIONS1 BE REGI/]$ & %\LDN'T HAVE TO WORK = NO?+ 9 HORRIBLE CONDITIONS 7! HOLY GRAIL IS ALSO AB\T RECOGNIZ+ !IR PR(ESSION1 DESPITE POPUL> CLI*ES1 AS IT CAN BE H>D WAY TO MAKE A LIV+74 

,! REALITY 

,IF Y\ DON'T HAVE ! MONEY Y\ CAN APPROA* ! !RAPI/ ( Y\R *OICE & ASK = A R$UC$ PRICE & TRY TO NEGOTIATE SOME?+ AF=DABLE4 ,NOT ALL !RAPI/S HAVE *EAP] PLACES1 !RE WILL PROBABLY BE A WAIT1 & Y\ MI<T F9D ?AT !IR V]SION ( AF=DABLE IS /ILL TOO EXP5SIVE = Y\4 ,Y\ MI<T HAVE TO TRY A FEW PEOPLE1 & ! PROCESS ( NEGOTIAT+ CAN BE QUITE 9TIMIDAT+4 

,= FREE !RAPY1 Y\ CAN SEE Y\R DOCTOR TO BE PUT ON A WAIT+ LI/ = A S]VICE AB\T :I* Y\ HAVE LITTLE SAY1 & :I* IS LIKELY TO BE TIME-LIMIT$ 7SIX SESSIONS IS COMMON74 ,IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE Y\'LL BE *ANNEL$ 9TO AN ,IMPROV+ ,ACCESS TO ,PSY*OLOGICAL ,!RAPIES PROGRAM4 ,:ILE ! S]VICE CAN BE HELPFUL = SOME PEOPLE1 Y\ WILL BE US+ A S]VICE :I* IS /ILL 9 ITS E>LY DAYS & HAS COME UND] A LOT ( FIRE = ITS SOME:AT SAUSAGE FACTORY APPROA* TO M5TAL HEAL?4 ,PLUS Y\ MI<T F9D Y\RSELF BE+ SE5 BY SOMEONE :O'S TRA9$ 9 ,I,A,P,T1 BUT NOT AS A !RAPI/4 

,Y\ MI<T ALSO F9D COMMUNITY C\NSEL+ AG5CIES1 BUT Y\ MI<T BE ASK$ TO MAKE A F9ANCIAL CONTRIBUTION1 & AGA9 !RE >E LIKELY TO BE WAIT+ LI/S & RE/RICTIONS ON L5G? ( S]VICE & TYPES ( !RAPIES4 ,9 COMMUNITY C\NSEL+ IT'S COMMON TO BE SE5 BY TRA9EES RA!R ?AN EXP]I5C$ !RAPI/S4 ,IT CAN BE H>D TO %OP >\ND = SOMEONE Y\ LIKE & ! S]VICE CAN BE A BIT HIT & MISS4 

,IF Y\ >E A /UD5T OR WORK = A COMPANY ?AT HAS AN ,EMPLOYEE ,ASSI/ANCE ,PROGRAM ?AT EXT5DS TO PSY*O!RAPY & C\NSEL+1 Y\ HAVE A BETT] *ANCE ( F9D+ FREE S]VICES1 BUT !SE WILL PROBABLY FALL %ORT ( ! HOLY GRAIL = MANY ( ! REASONS \TL9$ ABOVE4 

,! K9DS ( S]VICES ,I'VE M5TION$ H]E CAN BE REALLY GREAT1 BUT IT'S WOR? KN[+ !IR LIMITATIONS1 TOO4 ,C\NSEL+ & PSY*O!RAPY >E SOME:AT MY/IFI$ PR(ESSIONS1 TA9T$ BY ! /IGMA ( M5TAL ILLNESS1 :I* MEANS 
IT'S H>D TO NAVIGATE ! SY/EM & DET]M9E :AT'S BE/ = Y\4 ,ALL ( ?IS CAN BE REALLY EXHAU/+ :5 ALL Y\ WANT IS TO BE 9 A ROOM ) SOMEONE :O WILL LI/51 UND]/&1 & HELP Y\ TO FEEL BETT]4 ,ASK >\ND1 TRY NOT TO BE 9TIMIDAT$1 ASK QUE/IONS & KEEP GO+ UNTIL Y\ F9D :AT Y\'RE LOOK+ =4 

,O!R R\TES 

,! HOLY GRAIL ( !RAPY MAY BE \T ( REA*1 BUT !RE >E O!R ?+S Y\ CAN DO TO HELP %IFT Y\R DEPRESSION & ANXIETY4 ,H]E >E SOME SUGGE/IONS ?AT Y\ CAN MIX UP & ADAPT1 9 NO P>TICUL> ORD]3 

,!RAPY GR\PS EXI/1 BUT CAN BE QUITE H>D TO F9D1 & MAY BE CLOS$ TO NEW MEMB]S4 ,!RE >E MANY B5EFITS ( DO+ !RAPY 9 A GR\P1 NOT LEA/ ! S5SE ( COLLECTIVE WITNESS+ & 9=MATION-%>+4 ,!Y T5D TO BE *EAP] ?AN ONE-TO-ONE SESSIONS4 ,BUT Y\ ALSO NE$ A REALLY SKILL$ FACILITATOR TO HELP A GR\P FUNCTION WELL1 & BE> 9 M9D ?AT CLASS POLITICS & RADICAL IDEAS MI<T NOT BE AT ! TOP ( ! AG5DA1 OR ALWAYS WELCOME4 ,A NETWORK ( RADICAL !RAPY GR\PS W\LD BE A WOND]FUL ?+1 BUT DOES NOT CURR5TLY EXI/ 9 ! ,U,K4 

,CO-C\NSEL+ IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEM5T 9 :I* PEOPLE PAIR UP & %>E ! ROLES ( C\NSELOR & CLI5T1 TAK+ TURNS TO SPEAK & LI/54 ,IT'S FREE4 ,IT HAS ROOTS 9 A =M ( C\NSEL+ ?AT ,I ?9K IS SOME:AT CULT-I%1 BUT !RE IS NO REASON ?AT Y\ %\LDN'T ADAPT ! =MAT TO SUIT Y\RSELF4 ,= MORE 9=MATION1 VISIT WWW4CO-C\NSEL+4ORG4UK4 

,BIBLIO!RAPY IS A FANCY T]M = READ+1 SPECIFICALLY READ+ ! K9DS ( BOOKS ?AT MI<T HELP Y\ FEEL BETT]4 ,SELF-HELP LIT]ATURE HAS A BAD REPUTATION1 (T5 DES]V$LY1 BUT Y\ CAN /ILL DOVE 91 USE ! BITS ?AT Y\ F9D USEFUL & DISC>D ! RUBBI%4 ,Y\ CAN USE O!R TYPES ( LIT]ATURE TOO1 Y\ DON'T HAVE TO LIMIT Y\RSELF TO ONE G5RE2 LOOK = POETRY1 NOVELS1 COMICS1 POLITICAL TRACTS1 ETC41 ?AT MOVE Y\ OR PROVIDE SOME HOPE OR /RATEGIES = SURVIV+ & ?RIV+4 ,WRITE AB\T !M & KEEP READ+ & %>+ :AT Y\'VE F\ND1 ASK PEOPLE = RECOMM5DATIONS4 ,USE ! LIBR>Y1 READ & %>E ?+S ONL9E1 L5D & BORR[4 

,!RE >E DIFF]5T ME?ODS ( J\RNAL+ ?AT CAN HELP ) DEPRESSION & ANXIETY4 ,SOME PEOPLE KEEP J\RNALS TO REM9D !MSELVES ( :AT !Y HAVE1 Y\ CAN ALSO USE J\RNALS TO EXPLORE P>TICUL> EPISODES ( Y\R LIFE1 OR SIMPLY TO BE 9 ! MOM5T & TO REFLECT ON Y\R FEEL+S4 ,Y\ CAN *ECK \T '!RAPEUTIC J\RNAL+ TE*NIQUES' TO F9D A ME?OD Y\ LIKE4 

,MAKE /UFF1 DEVELOP PUBLIC CONV]SATIONS AB\T DEPRESSION & M5TAL HEAL? MORE G5]ALLY 9 ! GR\PS & COMMUNITIES Y\ >E A P>T (2 TRY & ?9K AB\T WAYS 9 :I* ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVI/S CAN BE ACC\NTABLE TO PEOPLE'S WELL-BE+4 ,GET POLITICALLY ACTIVE >\ND ?IS /UFF1 REFUSE TO SUFF] 9 ISOLATION & SIL5CE1 *ALL5GE ! /IGMA ASSOCIAT$ ) M5TAL HEAL? 4 

,5C\RAGE EXP]IM5TAL WAYS ( DEVELOP+ !RAPY4 ,ALT]NATIVE MEANS ( !RAPY CAN BE IMAG9$1 CU/OMIZ$ OR PUT 9TO PRACTICE4 ,I ?9K ?AT C\NSEL+ & PSY*O!RAPY WILL REMA9 A REM$Y = ! ELITE UNLESS WE 9T]V5E & DEM& & CREATE S]VICES ?AT MORE READILY ADDRESS \R LIVES & NE$S & DREAMS = SOCIAL TRANS=MATION4 

,F9ALLY444 

,KEEP GO+1 MAKE IT MOM5T-BY-MOM5T IF Y\'RE REALLY /RUGGL+4 ,TELL SOME-ONE4 ,MU/] SOME HOPE IF Y\ CAN1 & USE :ATEV] TOOLS >E AVAILABLE4 ,! WORLD NE$S Y\4 O 

,/RIV+ & ,?RIV+3 ,M5TAL ,HEAL? ON ! ,RADICAL ,LEFT 

,T9A ,PHILLIPS 

,I AM A P]SON ) LIV$ EXP]I5CE ) M5TAL ILLNESS1 DIAGNOS$ BIPOL> S9CE ,I WAS F\RTE5 YE>S OLD1 AS WELL AS A M5TAL HEAL? PR(ESSIONAL4 

,IT IS E/IMAT$ ?AT ONE HALF ( ALL PEOPLE WILL DEVELOP M5TAL ILLNESS 9 !IR LIFETIME4 ,CURR5TLY #e MILLION PEOPLE 7#a 9 #e7 HAVE A DIAGNOS$ M5TAL ILLNESS 9 ,AM]ICA 7NOT TO M5TION ALL ?OSE :O >E UNDIAGNOS$74 ,DESPITE SU* PREVAL5CE1 M5TAL ILLNESSES COMES ) A LOT ( /IGMA4 ,AS ACTIVI/S WE NE$ TO FI<T SU* /IGMA4 ,! BE/ WAY TO DO ?AT IS TO TALK AB\T IT4 ,AS A FELL[ SOCIAL WORK] & %AME & RESILI5CY RESE>*]1 ,B]NE ,BR[N SAYS1 0,%AME NE$S ?REE ?+S TO GR[ EXPON5TIALLY 9 \R LIVES3 SECRECY1 SIL5CE1 & JUDGM5T40 ,AS PEOPLE ) M5TAL ILLNESS WE NE$ TO TELL PEOPLE \R /ORIES & HELP NORMALIZE IT4 ,IT TAKES C\RAGE & BRAV]Y TO PUT \RSELVES \T !RE1 BUT IT IS NECESS>Y4 ,WE ALL NE$ TO BECOME M5TAL HEAL? ADVOCATES :O COMBAT SOCIAL /IGMA IF WE WANT ?IS SITUATION TO GET BETT]4 

,POLITICALLY1 A LIFE-LONG COMMITM5T TO SOCIAL JU/ICE CAN BE A S]I\S UND]TAK+ & MEANS A LIT]AL /RUGGLE4 ,IT COMES ) MANY P]SONAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL SACRIFICES ?AT HAVE BO? PSY*OLOGICAL & EMOTIONAL CONSEQU5CES4 ,( C\RSE !RE >E POSITIVE M5TAL & EMOTIONAL B5EFITS ( BE+ AN ACTIVI/1 BUT ! COMMITM5T TO ! MOVEM5T COMES ) BO? REW>DS & *ALL5GES4 

,M5TAL ILLNESS IS BIOLOGICAL1 G5ETIC1 5VIRONM5TAL1 & SOCIO-CULTURAL4 ,H[- EV]1 ,I BELIEVE IF WE LIV$ 9 A TRULY SOCIALI/ SOCIETY WE C\LD SEE A DRA/IC R$UCTION 9 M5TAL ILLNESS & C\LD EV5 PREV5T IT4 ,FUR!RMORE1 WE KN[ CAPITALISM CREATES SOCIAL ALI5ATION & 5ORM\S AM\NTS ( 9T]P]SONAL1 RELATIONAL1 & SOCIAL /RESS ON 9DIVIDUALS & FAMILIES4 ,NOT ONLY MU/ WE WORK H>D1 (T5 AT JOBS ) L[ PAY & LONG H\RS1 WE HAVE MANY O!R RESPONSIBILITIES ON TOP ( IT4 ,WE HAVE FAMILIES1 P>TN]S & *ILDR5 ?AT WE NE$ TO HELP TAKE C>E (4 ,WE HAVE TO DO *ORES1 FE$ \RSELVES & O!RS1 & RUN ]R&S4 ,!RE IS SO MU* TO DO2 WE (T5 NEGLECT \R [N HEAL?4 

,ALL WE CAN DO 9 ! IMM$IATE IS TRY TO MANAGE ! /RESS1 BY F9D+ COP+ SKILLS & DECOMPRESS+ ACTIVITIES4 ,! COP+ SKILLS CAN 9CLUDE >T1 EX]CISE1 SLEEP_/ 
NAPS1 SOCIALIZ+ ) FRI5DS & FAMILY1 EAT+ A SL[ COOK$ MEAL1 READ+ A BOOK1 YOGA1 M$ITATION1 RELAXATION TE*NIQUES1 DEEP BREA?+1 FOCUS+ ACTIVITIES1 TAK+ A LONG WALK OR HIKE OR GO+ SWIMM+1 AMONG O!R ?+S4 

,IT CAN BE V]Y *ALL5G+ TO OV]COME ! PRESSURES ( EV]YDAY LIFE1 LET ALONE ?OSE ( BE+ P>T ( AN ACTIVI/ MOVEM5T & COMMUNITY4 ,IT IS IMPORTANT AS AN ACTIVI/ ?AT ONE TAKES C>E ( ONESELF & ?AT \R COMMUNITY SUPPORTS US4 ,BURN\T IS COMMON & ALL TOO (T5 WE FEEL \R H>D WORK BR+S TOO LITTLE TANGIBLE RESULTS4 ,?IS CAN LEAD TO DISAPPO9TM5T & FRU/RATION4 ,WE HAVE TO CELEBRATE EV]Y VICTORY & RECOGNIZE PEOPLE'S EF=TS4 ,APPRECIATION ( O!RS IS SO IMPORTANT 9 CREAT+ SELF-E/EEM & MA9TA9+ LONG-T]M COMMITM5T4 ,WE CAN ALSO /AVE (F BURN\T BY TAK+ BREAKS FROM \R ACTIVISM & SUPPORT+ EA* O!R ?R\< H>D TIMES4 

,SO :AT IS TO BE DONE8 ,\R M5TAL HEAL? SY/EM IS F> FROM P]FECT1 TOO OV]- BURD5$ & TOO EXP5SIVE = MO/ PEOPLE4 ,?AT IS P>T ( :Y WE WORK AS LEFT RADICALS TO *ANGE ?IS SY/EM 9TO ONE ?AT WORKS = ALL PEOPLE4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 9 ! MEANTIME WE HAVE TO DEAL ) H[ ?+S >E N[4 

,ONE ?+ ,I ADVOCATE IS !RAPY1 BUT IT IS (T5 CO/ PROHIBITIVE4 ,IF ONE CANNOT F9D L[ CO/_/SLID+ SCALE_/9COME-BAS$ !RAPY1 ,I ALWAYS RECOMM5D WORK- BOOKS4 ,!Y TEA* PEOPLE /EP-BY-/EP AB\T ! CONDITION :I* !Y MAY HAVE & (F] A V>IETY ( TE*NIQUES SU* AS M9DFULNESS TO COPE ) EMOTIONAL /RESS & IMPROVE OV]ALL QUALITY ( LIFE4 ,MO/ !RAPI/S W\LD TEA* !SE TE*NIQUES 9 !RAPY BUT Y\ CAN LE>N !M ON Y\R [N = A FRACTION ( ! CO/4 ,& IF ONE TE*NIQUE OR WORKBOOK DOESN'T WORK = Y\1 TRY ANO!R4 

,ANO!R ?+ !RAPI/S PROVIDE IS ! TIME & SPACE DEVOT$ SOLELY TO Y\ & A TIME TO TALK_/V5T & BE LI/5$ TO4 ,Y\ CAN'T F9D ?IS 9 A BOOK4 ,BUT Y\ CAN F9D ?IS 9 O!R PEOPLE--FRI5DS1 FAMILY1 C[ORK]S1 & COMRADES ALIKE4 ,F9D SOME TRU/$ 9DIVIDUALS :O >E WILL+ TO HE> Y\ \T1 PROVIDE EMPA?Y 7NOT JU/ SYMPA?Y71 & VALIDATION 7TELL+ Y\ :AT Y\ >E FEEL+ & ?9K+ IS REAL74 ,JU/ PROVID+ A S\ND+ BO>D ( UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT CAN MAKE A WORLD ( DIFF]5CE4 

,I ALWAYS RECOMM5D ! RULE ( ?REES4 ,F9D ?REE RELIABLE PEOPLE Y\ CAN GO TO 9 A CRISIS OR :5 SOME?+ HAPP5S ?AT BR+S Y\ D[N4 ,TELL Y\R /ORY TO ?OSE ?REE PEOPLE1 ?REE DIFF]5T TIMES4 ,AT ! 5D1 Y\ WILL HAVE RELEAS$ & EXPRESS$ ?OSE FEEL+S & ?\<TS1 WILL MO/ LIKELY FEEL BETT]1 & 
HOPEFULLY HAVE COME UP ) SOME SOLUTIONS4 

,( C\RSE !RE IS ONE ?+ A !RAPI/ CAN PROVIDE O!RS CAN'T--& ?AT IS $UCATION1 TRA9+1 & EXP]I5CE 9 TREAT+ & HEAL+ MAJOR TRAUMA & PSY*IATRIC *ALL5GES4 ,!RE REALLY IS NO SUB/ITUTE = ?IS4 ,SO IF Y\ NE$ ?IS1 TRY Y\R BE/ TO GET IT4 ,(T5TIMES ! EXP5SE PAID TO GET ?IS IS WOR? ! NECESS>Y SACRIFICES4 

,ANO!R AV5UE TO 9CREASE M5TAL HEAL? IS US+ M$ICATION4 ,!RE IS MU* DEBATE AB\T ! USE ( PSY*OTROPIC M$ICATION4 ,AS SOMEONE :O HAS BIPOL> DISORD]1 ,I KN[ MY M$ICATION SAVES MY LIFE1 BO? LIT]ALLY & QUALITY-WISE4 ,EV]Y 9DIVIDUAL HAS TO MAKE !IR [N *OICE :E!R TO TRY M$ICATION & SEE IF IT HELPS4 ,NOT EV]YONE HAS TO TAKE M$ICATION LONG T]M1 BUT SOME DO4 ,I HAVE TO TAKE M9E ! RE/ ( MY LIFE1 BUT ,I AM GLAD !RE IS SOME?+ \T !RE ?AT PR(\NDLY HELPS ME4 

,YES1 M$ICATIONS >E (T5 OV]-PRESCRIB$ & DEVELOP$ BY BIG PH>MACEUTICAL COMPANIES1 :I* >E PR(IT-MOTIVAT$4 ,YES1 DOCTORS CAN SOMETIMES BE PU%]S BECAUSE !Y >E GETT+ KICK-BACKS4 ,?AT IS :Y F9D+ A GOOD DOCTOR TO PRESCRIBE ! RI<T M$ICATION IS IMPORTANT4 ,?IS W\LD (T5 BE A PSY*IATRI/1 :O USUALLY DOES NOT COME *EAP4 ,IF Y\ CAN1 TRY TO F9D A L[] CO/ PSY*IATRI/1 BUT IF Y\ CAN'T1 A G5]AL PRACTITION] CAN PRESCRIBE MANY ( ! SAME M$ICATIONS4 ,! CAUTION IS !Y >E NOT TRA9$ AS WELL 9 PSY*IATRIC CONDITIONS & W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO MONITOR Y\ AS WELL AS A PSY*IATRI/ C\LD4 

,ANO!R OPTION ?AT C\LD HELP & IS (T5 MORE AF=DABLE1 IS H]BAL REM$IES & ,EA/]N_/ALT]NATIVE M$IC9E4 ,!RE >E MANY HELPFUL REM$IES \T !RE WOR? LOOK+ 9TO FROM VITAM9S1 SUPPLEM5TS1 TEAS1 ESS5TIAL OILS1 TO ACUPUNCTURE1 ACUPRESSURE1 BIO-FE$BACK ETC4 ,AS WELL AS LOOK+ AT *ANGES 9 DIET1 SLEEP1 & EX]CISE4 

,9DIVIDUALS ALSO NE$ SOCIAL SUPPORT4 ,IF Y\'RE 9 A RADICAL LEFT ORGANIZATION1 DEVELOP 9T]NAL SY/EMS TO PROVIDE ?IS SUPPORT4 ,WE NE$ TO BE ABLE TO TURN TO EA* O!R 9 TIMES ( NE$4 ,?IS PREV5TS BURN\T & CAN BE A P[]FUL S\RCE ( 9T]V5TION 9 TIMES ( CRISIS4 ,WE NE$ TO GET MORE 9VOLV$ 9 PEOPLE'S LIVES1 PAY MORE ATT5TION1 & BE WILL+ TO HAVE SOMETIMES UNCOM=TABLE CONV]SATIONS ) PEOPLE4 ,WE NE$ TO FOCUS MO/ ON COMPASSION1 UND]/&+1 & EMPA?Y4 

,ANO!R POSSIBLE /RATEGY RADICAL LEFT ORGANIZATIONS CAN IMPLEM5T IS CONFLICT- MANAGEM5T1 NONVIOL5T COMMUNICATION1 & PE] C\NSEL+4 ,IF \R ORGANIZATIONS US$ !SE TE*NIQUES & TAU<T !SE SKILLS TO ALL ( !IR MEMB]S !Y W\LD BE BETT] S]V$ BY DO+ SO4 ,LE>N+ H[ TO COMMUNICATE ASS]TIVELY & NOT PASSIVELY1 PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVELY1 OR AGGRESSIVELY IS V]Y IMPORTANT = ANY 9DIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION4 ,\R SUCCESS IS WRAPP$ UP 9 \R ABILITY TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS & RECONCILE DIFF]5CES4 

,NO ONE GETS ?R\< ?IS LIFE ON !IR [N--WE >E ALL 9T]DEP5D5T SOCIAL BE+S4 ,SO LET'S LIVE \R RADICAL VALUES 9 ! H]E & N[ & TRANS=M \R- SELVES & \R ORGANIZATIONS TO S]VE EA* O!R'S NE$S4 ,\R ORGANIZATIONS CAN BECOME A MODEL GO+ =W>D = SOCIETY & BE A S\RCE ( /R5G? TO MAKE US MORE EFFECTIVE ACTIVI/S4 ,9DE$ ?IS CAN BE A PROTECTIVE FACTOR = ?OSE ) MANY RISK FACTORS = SELF-H>M1 HOMELESSNESS1 & SUICIDE4 ,WE CAN BE ! DIFF]5CE & WE >E RESPONSIBLE = IMPLEM5T+ !SE SUGGE/IONS N[4 O 

,DEAL+ ) ,M5TAL ,HEAL? ,S]VICES3 ,ADVICE FROM AN ,AN>*I/ ,M5TAL ,HEAL? ,WORK] 

,M$ICAL PR(ESSIONALS CAN BE HIT OR MISS4 ,IF Y\'VE TALK$ TO Y\R P]SONAL DOCTOR AB\T M5TAL HEAL? DIFFICULTIES & FEEL HE_/%E IS BE+ DISMISSIVE OR ISN'T TAK+ Y\ S]I\SLY1 Y\ HAVE ! RI<T TO ASK TO BE REF]R$ TO SPECIALI/ M5TAL HEAL? S]VICES = AN ASSESSM5T4 

,! NATURE ( M5TAL HEAL? PROBLEMS >E SU* ?AT IT CAN SEEM DIFFICULT TO ASS]T Y\RSELF & IT CAN BE EASY TO FEEL DISEMP[]$4 ,?IS IS ESPECIALLY SO :5 DEAL+ ) PEOPLE :O MI<T APPE> TO BE 9 POSITIONS ( AU?ORITY1 LIKE PSY*IATRI/S1 SOCIAL WORK]S1 OR COMMUNITY BAS$ M5TAL HEAL? WORK]S4 ,IF Y\ FEEL ! NE$ TO APPROA* M5TAL HEAL? S]VICES1 HAVE ASK$ Y\R DOCTOR = A REF]RAL1 OR 9 SOME O!R WAY Y\ COME TO !IR ATT5TION1 ! FOLL[+ PO9TS MI<T HELP Y\ TO GET ! MO/ \T ( IT4 

,REMEMB] ?AT S]VICE PROVID]S >E HUMAN BE+S LIKE ! RE/ ( US4 ,Y\ >E !IR EQUAL1 & Y\R TIME IS AS VALUABLE AS !IRS4 ,Y\ %\LD EXPECT TO BE TREAT$ AS AN EQUAL1 ) RESPECT & DIGNITY4 

,TRY & BE AS CLE> AS POSSIBLE :5 TALK+ AB\T Y\R PROBLEMS4 ,Y\ %\LD GET ! MO/ HELP & ! MO/ B5EFIT IF ?OSE Y\ >E ASK+ = HELP UND]/& :AT'S WRONG & :AT SORT ( HELP Y\ FEEL Y\ NE$4 ,IF !RE >E SPECIFIC ?+S ?AT HAVE HELP$ Y\ 9 ! PA/ 7A C]TA9 M$ICATION1 TALK+ !RAPIES1 GR\P WORK ETC471 MAKE ?IS KN[N1 & TRY & ?9K AB\T O!R ?+S ?AT Y\ FEEL W\LD HELP4 

,ALSO MAKE SURE ?+S >E EXPLA9$ CLE>LY TO Y\1 9 A WAY Y\ UND]/&4 ,IF A C\RSE ( M$ICATION IS SUGGE/$1 ASK QUE/IONS AB\T IT1 & TRY & MAKE SURE ?AT POT5TIAL NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS >E EXPLA9$ AS WELL AS HOP$- = POSITIVE EFFECTS4 ,IF Y\ >E GIV5 A DIAGNOSIS1 TRY & 5SURE ?AT ! SYMPTOMS1 *>ACT]I/ICS1 PROGNOSIS & IMPLICATIONS >E CLE>LY EXPLA9$4 

,IF Y\ FEEL ?AT SOCIAL CIRCUM/ANCES 7POV]TY1 ?REAT ( EVICTION1 ISOLATION1 SUB/ANCE USE ISSUES1 ETC47 >E CONTRIBUT+ TO Y\R M5TAL ILL-HEAL?1 MAKE ?IS KN[N4 ,S]VICES HAVE A DUTY TO SUPPORT Y\ ) !SE PROBLEMS IF Y\R M5TAL 
HEAL? IS SU* ?AT Y\ CAN'T DO IT Y\RSELF4 ,BE+ GIV5 ANTI-DEPRESSANTS & S5T BACK TO ! ROOT PROBLEMS ?AT CAUS$ ! DEPRESSION1 = EXAMPLE1 IS NOT GOOD 5\<4 

,REMEMB] ?AT Y\ HAVE ! RI<T TO COMPLA94 ,IF Y\ DISAGREE ) ANY DECISION1 DIAGNOSIS1 C\RSE ( ACTION OR TREATM5T PLAN OR Y\ FEEL Y\'RE NOT BE+ LI/5$ TO OR TAK5 S]I\SLY1 TALK TO ! PEOPLE 9VOLV$ & LET !M KN[1 IF Y\ FEEL CONFID5T DO+ SO4 ,A TRU/$ FRI5D OR FAMILY MEMB]1 OR AN ADVOCACY WORK] CAN HELP Y\ H]E1 TOO4 ,IF Y\'RE /ILL UNHAPPY1 Y\ CAN MAKE A =MAL COMPLA9T1 Y\ CAN ASK = A SECOND OP9ION1 OR Y\ CAN REQUE/ A *ANGE ( DOCTOR4 ,HEAL? BO>DS HAVE A DUTY TO PUBLI% COMPLA9TS PROC$URES1 & COPIES %\LD BE AVAILABLE AT LOCAL COMMUNITY M5TAL HEAL? TEAM RES\RCE C5T]S1 & NORMALLY ONL9E AS WELL4 

,Y\ %\LD BE AT ! C5T] ( ANY DECISION MAK+4 ,DO Y\R BE/ TO MAKE SURE ?AT Y\R VIEWS >E TAK5 9TO ACC\NT4 ,TAK+ SOMEONE ELSE 7AGA91 A FRI5D OR FAMILY MEMB]1 OR AN ADVOCACY WORK]7 :O UND]/&S Y\R SITUATION ALONG TO APPO9TM5TS CAN HELP ) ?IS4 

,REMEMB] ?AT NO?+ CAN BE IMPOS$ ON Y\ AGA9/ Y\R WILL UNLESS Y\ >E SUBJECT TO M5TAL HEAL? LEGISLATION1 & C]TA9 /EPS HAVE BE5 TAK5 ALL[+ DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY PR(ESSIONALS4 ,EV5 9 ?IS SITUATION1 Y\ DO /ILL HAVE C]TA9 LEGAL RI<TS1 :I* %\LD BE CLE>LY EXPLA9$1 & Y\ %\LD /ILL BE AT ! C5T] ( DECISION MAK+ AS MU* AS ?IS IS POSSIBLE4 

,IF Y\ F9D Y\RSELF SUBJECT TO M5TAL HEAL? LEGISLATION 7DETA9$ 9 HOSPITAL1 GIV5 M$ICAL TREATM5T AGA9/ Y\R WILL ETC471 MAKE SURE1 AS BE/ Y\ CAN1 ?AT ! PROCESS IS EXPLA9$ CLE>LY 9 A WAY ?AT Y\ UND]/&1 9CLUD+ :AT Y\R RI<TS >E4 ,S]VICE PROVID]S & ?OSE RESPONSIBLE = ! COMPULSORY MEASURES HAVE A LEGAL DUTY TO EXPLA9 ?IS TO Y\4 ,AGA91 HAV+ SOMEONE ELSE :O IS ON Y\R SIDE 7A FRI5D1 FAMILY MEMB] OR ADVOCACY WORK]7 CAN HELP4 ,IF Y\ >E UNHAPPY1 Y\ >E 5TITL$ TO FREE LEGAL ADVICE & REPRES5TATION1 & 9 MO/ CASES HAVE ! RI<T TO APPEAL4 

,REMEMB] ?AT M5TAL HEAL? S]VICE PROVID]S >E !RE TO HELP Y\4 ,ANY?+ !Y DO %\LD B5EFIT Y\1 & %\LD BE 9T5D$ TO GET ! BE/ \TCOME POSSIBLE = Y\4 ,IF Y\ >E UNHAPPY AT ANY PO9T1 Y\ CAN SEEK ADVICE & SUPPORT FROM FRI5DS1 FAMILY1 O!R S]VICE US]S & 9DEP5D5T ADVOCACY & M5TAL HEAL? ORGANIZATIONS4 O 

,P>T #f3 ,ESSAYS & ,ORGANIZATIONAL ,CULTURE & ,M5TAL ,HEAL? 

,BE ,GOOD TO ,Y\R ,COMRADES3 ,:Y ,BE+ A ,PRICK IS ,C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y 

,IS IT JU/ ME OR DO AN>*I/S HAVE A T5D5CY TO BE A BUN* ( PRICKS8 

,ACTUALLY1 ,I KN[ IT'S NOT JU/ ME4 ,BECAUSE ,I'VE HAD ?IS CONV]SATION1 9 :ISP]$ TONES1 ) A FEW O!R AN>*I/S4 ,& !Y AGREE4 

,LET ME BACK UP4 ,AN>*I/S CAN ALSO BE SOME ( ! NICE/ PEOPLE ,I KN[4 ,MANY P\R !IR TIME & 5]GY1 SWEAT & TE>S1 9TO BUILD+ REVOLUTION-- DRIV5 BY ! DEEP DESIRE TO MAKE ! WORLD A BETT] PLACE4 ,ON ! :OLE !Y >E C>+1 ALTRUI/IC1 G5]\S1 & GIV+4 ,BUT MY GOODNESS1 CAN !Y ALSO BE H>%1 CONDESC5D+1 & SOMETIMES D[NRI<T BULLIES4 

,?IS HURTFUL BEHAVIOR MO/LY >ISES 9 POLITICAL DISAGREEM5TS4 ,:I* MEANS IT >ISES QUITE REGUL>LY4 ,BECAUSE AN>*I/S GET 9TO A LOT ( POLITICAL DISAGREE- M5TS4 ,NOT LEA/ ( ALL ) EA* O!R4 

,I HAVE A FEEL+1 DE> COMRADE1 ?AT Y\ WILL BE ALL TOO FAMILI> ) :AT ,I'M TALK+ AB\T4 ,Y\ SEE IT 9 Y\R [N ORGANIZATION4 ,Y\ SEE IT ON ! 9T]NET =UMS4 ,MAYBE Y\'VE SE5 IT 9 Y\RSELF4 

,:Y IS ?IS TYPE ( BEHAVIOR SO COMMON8 ,IS IT BECAUSE AN>*I/S >E US$ TO HAV+ \R IDEAS ATTACK$ SO IT'S PUT US 9 ! HABIT ( LA%+ \T DEF5SIVELY8 ,IS IT BECAUSE MANY AN>*I/S >E ?ICK SK9N$ 7A HELPFUL ASSET :5 Y\ BASE MU* ( Y\R LIFE ON AN UNPOPUL> VIEW7 & SO WE DON'T REALIZE ?AT WORDS & TONES :I* W\LDN'T PHASE US WILL HURT \R ?9N] SK9N$ COMRADES8 ,IS IT BECAUSE WE'RE SO FULL ( BITT]NESS AB\T ! CURR5T /ATE ( ! WORLD ?AT WE TAKE IT \T ON O!RS8 ,= SOME ( US1 MAYBE IT'S ?AT WE HAVE SU* DI/A/E = HIPPIES ?AT WE /RIVE TO BE AS UNLIKE !M AS WE CAN1 9CLUD+ BY DISREG>D+ ALL CONC]N ) 7GAG7 0FEEL+S08 

,:ATEV] ! REASON1 IT'S GOT TO /OP4 ,IT HURTS PEOPLE4 ,IT CAN W\ND & EV5 
SC> PEOPLE4 ,I KN[ TWO AN>*I/S :O >E S]I\SLY DEPRESS$ 9 L>GE P>T DUE TO ! PATT]N ( 9T]P]SONAL BRUTALITY 9 !IR ORGANIZATION4 ,ONE FREQU5TLY CONSID]S QUITT+ BECAUSE ( IT4 ,I KN[ ( TWO O!RS :O REFUSE TO JO9 ! ORGANIZATION BECAUSE ( BULLY+ !Y EI!R EXP]I5C$ OR WITNESS$4 

,& SO IT IS ?AT 9T]P]SONAL MEANNESS BY AN>*I/S CAN1 %\LD1 & MU/ BE RECOGNIZ$ = :AT IT IS3 C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y4 ,:Y8 ,BECAUSE IT SABOTAGES \R EF=TS TO CREATE REVOLUTION4 

,:5 AN>*I/S ACT LIKE PRICKS !Y DRIVE O!RS AWAY FROM REVOLUTION>Y ORGANIZ+4 ,NOBODY LIKES BE+ >\ND PEOPLE :O MAKE !M FEEL LIKE CRAP4 ,= ?OSE NOT DRIV5 AWAY1 ?IS SUBTLE BULLY+ CAN BEAT US 9TO A PIT ( DEPRESSION & 9JUR$ SELF-CONFID5CE1 & IT'S DAMN H>D TO MEET ! RESPONSIBILITIES ( REVOLUTION>Y ACTIVITY :5 Y\'RE DEPRESS$1 OR %>E Y\R IDEAS 9 MEET+S OR VOLUNTE] = *ALL5G+ TASKS IF Y\R SELF-CONFID5CE IS 9 ! TOILET4 

,MEANNESS CAUSES \R NUMB]S TO BE FEW] & \R COMRADES TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE4 

,SUCCESSFUL REVOLUTION REQUIRES ?AT ! VA/ MAJORITY ( ! WORK+ CLASS EMBRACE AN>*ISM4 ,?IS WON'T HAPP5 IF ! EXTREMELY T9Y M9ORITY :O CUR- R5TLY HAVE AN>*I/ POLITICS PU% EV]YONE ELSE AWAY BECAUSE WE DON'T KN[ H[ TO HAVE A POLITICAL DISAGREEM5T )\T RESORT+ TO HUMILIATION OR 9TIMIDATION1 OR BECAUSE WE RIDICULE & O/RACIZE ?OSE ) POLITICAL VIEWS WE 7RI<TLY OR WRONGLY7 LOOK D[N ON4 

,?IS DOESN'T MEAN WE %\LD NOT EXPRESS CRITICISM OR DISAGREEM5TS4 ,?IS IS ! ONLY WAY TO *ANGE M9DS4 ,BUT ALWAYS BE FRI5DLY & RESPECTFUL EV5-- NO1 ESPECIALLY--DUR+ DEBATE4 

,ONE WAY TO DEAL ) ?IS PROBLEM IS ! AN>*I/ PR9CIPLE ( COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY4 ,IF MEMB]S ( AN ORGANIZATION SEE ?AT SOMEONE IS BEG9N+ TO SPEAK OR ACT 9 A DISRESPECTFUL WAY1 IT %\LD BE AN OBLIGATION TO 9T]V5E BY PO9T+ ?IS \T4 

,?IS NE$ NOT HAVE ANY PURPOSE EXCEPT TO BR+ IT TO EV]YONE'S ATT5TION4 ,BUT =MAL CONSEQU5CES CAN BE US$ IF DESIR$4 ,P]HAPS ! SECOND TIME SOMEONE IS CALL$-\T !Y %\LD BE REQUIR$ TO /OP SPEAK+ & BE BUMP$ D[N A SPOT ON ! SPEAK]'S LI/ 7GIV+ !M A *ANCE TO CALM D[N & REFLECT BE=E F9I%+ :ATEV] PO9T !Y W]E MAK+74 ,A ?IRD W>N+ C\LD REQUIRE 
BE+ BUMP$ D[N TWO SPOTS1 & SO ON--AL?\< AT SOME PO9T1 IF IT ISN'T LETT+ UP1 P]HAPS !Y %\LD BE ASK$ TO LEAVE ! MEET+4 

,IF CONSEQU5CES >E US$1 !RE MI<T BE A RISK ?AT CALL+-\T ! DISRESPECTFULNESS ( O!RS BE US$ DI%ONE/LY JU/ TO 9T]RUPT :AT SOME- ONE WAS SAY+4 ,9 ?AT CASE1 A RULE CAN BE MADE ?AT AT LEA/ ONE O!R P]SON MU/ AGREE ?AT DISRESPECT IS PRES5T4 

,IT HELPS IF SOMEONE IS ASSIGN$ ! PRIME RESPONSIBILITY ( BE+ WAT*FUL ( ! RESPECT LEVEL DUR+ A MEET+4 7,?IS P]SON %\LD BE SOMEONE O!R ?AN ! *AIR1 BECAUSE *AIRS HAVE O!R ?+S !Y NE$ TO PAY ATT5TION TO47 ,BUT ANYONE 9 ! MEET+ %\LD CALL-\T DISRESPECT AS SOON AS !Y SEE IT4 ,&1 LIKE ANY ROLE ( IMPORTANCE1 ! ROLE ( RESPECT-WAT*] %\LD BE ROTAT$4 

,?+S BECOME MORE DIFFICULT \TSIDE ( MEET+S DUR+ 9=MAL HANG-\TS1 ESPECIALLY IF !Y 9VOLVE ALCOHOL4 ,) ! RESPECT-WAT*] (F DUTY1 ! COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY ( ! GR\P TO MAKE SURE 9T]ACTIONS >E FRI5DLY & RESPECTFUL MU/ BE AT ! =EFRONT ( EV]YONE'S M9D4 

,IF SOMEONE HAS A PATT]N ( 9TIMIDAT+ OR HUMILIAT+ O!RS & IT DOESN'T %[ SIGNS ( GO+ AWAY EV5 AFT] ONGO+ 9T]V5TION1 ?IS P]SON %\LD BE EXPELL$ FROM ! ORGANIZATION OR AT LEA/ SUSP5D$4 ,:ATEV] ASSETS !Y BR+ TO ! ORGANIZATION1 IT DOES MORE H>M ?AN GOOD TO KEEP A BULLY >\ND4 

,?IS COLLECTION ( >TICLES IS MEANT1 9 P>T1 TO HELP GUIDE US 9 H[ WE1 AS AN>*I/S1 CAN SUPPORT \R COMRADES :O MI<T BE DEPRESS$ OR O!RWISE DEAL+ ) M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES4 ,I BELIEVE ! NUMB] ONE ?+ WE CAN DO IS SIMPLY BE GOOD TO EA* O!R4 ,LET'S /OP GIV+ \R COMRADES YET ANO!R REASON TO BE DEPRESS$4 O 

,A ,PROPOSAL = ,COLLECTIVE ,ACCOMMODATION 

,I AM ONE ( MANY CLASS /RUGGLE AN>*I/S ) M5TAL ILLNESS4 ,I AM A MEMB] ( AN AN>*I/ POLITICAL ORGANIZATION & HAVE BE5 = ! PA/ FIVE YE>S4 ,9 REC5T MON?S1 WE HAVE BEGUN DISCUSS+ DEVELOP+ A 'CODE ( CONDUCT' >\ND MEMB] BEHAVIOR4 ,BECAUSE MY P>TICUL> M5TAL ILLNESS 9VOLVES SOME PRETTY DISRUPTIVE & 9APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AT TIMES1 ,I W\LD LIKE TO EXPLORE SOME IDEAS ON H[ ORGANIZATIONS CAN ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE LIKE ME1 :ILE ALSO MA9- TA9+ ! FUNCTION+ ( ! ORGANIZATION4 ,9 MY EXP]I5CE1 ?IS IS G5]ALLY NOT DONE WELL4 ,SO1 = ?IS PIECE1 ,I W\LD FIR/ LIKE TO LAY \T SOME ( ! PITFALLS ,I HAVE NOTIC$ ORGANIZATIONS HAVE COME UP AGA9/ 9 ADDRESS+ ?IS4 ,I W\LD !N LIKE TO MAKE A PROPOSAL = 'COLLECTIVE ACCOMMODATION' & EXPLA9 :Y IT MI<T (F] A BETT] /RUCTURE = SUPPORT4 

,FIR/ ( ALL1 ,I W\LD LIKE TO BE V]Y CLE> ?AT ,I 9 NO WAY WI% TO RE9=CE ANY /]EOTYPES >\ND PEOPLE ) A M5TAL ILLNESS BE+ DISRUPTIVE OR HAV+ BEHAVIOR ?AT IS PROBLEMATIC TO O!RS4 ,= MANY1 MANY PEOPLE1 ?IS IS NOT ! CASE4 ,= ME1 H[EV]1 ,I AM DIAGNOS$ ) BORD]L9E P]SONALITY DISORD]4 ,BRIEFLY1 ,B,P,D 9VOLVES V]Y EXTREME EMOTIONS1 :I* T5D TO LA/ V]Y %ORT P]IODS ( TIME4 ,DUE TO PA9FUL & 9T5SE EMOTIONS1 & (T5 A T5D5CY T[>D IMPULSIV5ESS1 MANY PEOPLE ) ,B,P,D /RUGGLE ) ISSUES SU* AS SELF-9JURY1 SUICIDE IDEATION1 DRUG_/ALCOHOL ABUSE1 ETC4 ,= ME1 MANY ( 
! ISSUES & CONFLICTS ?AT COME ) BE+ 9 AN ORGANIZATION CAN BE V]Y DIFFICULT1 & AT TIMES ,I HAVE US$ !SE TYPES ( NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS AS WAYS ( COP+1 ) DETRIM5TAL EFFECTS ON O!RS4 ,SO AGA91 ,I W\LD LIKE TO BE CLE> ?AT ! IDEAS ,I'M PROPOS+ >E 9 NO WAY RELEVANT TO EV]YONE :O DEALS ) M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES--BUT >E TO ME1 & POT5TIALLY TO O!R SITUATIONS 9 V>I\S ACTIVI/ GR\PS4 

,9 MY EXP]I5CE1 AN>*I/_/ACTIVI/ GR\PS G5]ALLY DO A PRETTY POOR JOB ( DEAL+ ) DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR1 P>TICUL>LY :5 SOME ASPECT ( M5TAL HEAL? IS 9VOLV$4 ,G5]ALLY1 ! TRAJECTORY ,I HAVE SE5 IS ?AT GR\PS T5D TO />T \T )\T ANY =MAL /&>DS >\ND BEHAVIOR1 BUT MORE ( AN IMPLI$ NORM ?AT EV]YONE IS EXPECT$ TO FOLL[4 ,:5 ISSUES DO EM]GE1 GR\PS T5D TO GO ONE ( TWO WAYS4 ,ONE IS TO CREATE SOME SORT ( 'CODE ( CONDUCT' SETT+ \T EXPECTATIONS >\ND BEHAVIOR4 ,(T51 !SE CONV]SATIONS >E PRES5T$ AS G5]AL1 BUT >E REALLY 9 REF]5CE TO A FEW MEMB]S :O >E SE5 TO DEMON/RATE SOME SORT ( BEHAVIORAL ISSUE DISRUPTIVE TO ! GR\P4 ,:5 A M5TAL HEAL? ISSUE IS RAIS$1 LITTLE REAL SUPPORT OR UND]/&+ SEEMS TO BE AVAILABLE4 

,ANO!R WAY IS TO 0ACCOMMODATE0 MEMB]S :O HAVE DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR BY ALL[+ !M TO REMA9 9 ! GR\P4 ,(T51 ?IS ACCOMMODATION LOOKS LIKE TOL]AT+ SOMEONE )\T TRULY 9CLUD+ !M 7POLITICALLY &_/OR 9 ! SOCIAL LIFE ( ! GR\P7 OR LI/5+ TO !IR IDEAS4 ,AT TIMES1 IT TAKES A V]Y NEGATIVE DIRECTION1 :5 9DIVIDUALS :O ACT 9 AGGRESSIVE1 DEMEAN+ WAYS T[>D O!RS >E ALL[$ TO CONT9UE TO SO1 SIMPLY BECAUSE !SE BEHAVIORS >E ATTRIBUT$ TO A M5TAL HEAL? ISSUE4 ,9 ! WOR/ CASES1 ,I HAVE SE5 9DIVIDUALS ATTEMPT TO EXCUSE OPPRESSIVE 7SEXI/1 RACI/1 ETC7 BEHAVIOR AS A M5TAL HEAL? ISSUE1 & GET A PASS--:ILE ALI5AT+ & OPPRESS+ O!RS 9 ! GR\P4 

,9 MY VIEW1 BO? !SE APPROA*ES >E FLAW$4 ,RA!R ?AN ADDRESS+ ! COMPLEX BALANCE ( GR\P & 9DIVIDUAL NE$S1 !Y TAKE AN ALL OR NO?+ APPROA*--EI!R ! 5TIRE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON ! 9DIVIDUAL TO MEET ! /&>D OR IT IS ON ! GR\P TO ACCOMMODATE4 ,!Y IGNORE ! COMPLEXITY ( 9T]ACTIONS--?AT ! GR\P ITSELF MAY BE A /RESSOR1 OR ?AT 9DIVIDUALS MAY HAVE O!R COMPLEX ?+S GO+ ON 9 !IR LIVES4 ,:ILE DIFF]5T1 BO? !SE APPROA*ES T5D TO HAVE ! SAME RESULT ( FAIL+ TO (F] REAL SUPPORT & ACC\NTABILITY4 

,I PROPOSE ?AT1 AS AN>*I/S1 WE CAN DO BETT]4 ,AL?\< IT CAN BE DIFFICULT AT TIMES1 ,I ?9K ?AT 'LETT+ ! POLITICS LEAD' ) REG>DS TO :AT 9ITIALLY APPE> LIKE P]SONAL TOPICS--SU* AS M5TAL HEAL?--CAN BE USEFUL4 ,9 ?IS CASE1 ,I W\LD DRAW ON MUTUAL AID & COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROPOSE A =M ( 'COLLECTIVE ACCOMMODATION'4 ,! MODEL ,I PROPOSE W\LD BALANCE P]SONAL & COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT MEMB]S :O /RUGGLE ) SELF- REGULATION TO MEET /&>DS ?AT >E REALI/IC = !M4 ,IT W\LD ALSO TAKE 9TO ACC\NT ?AT ! ORGANIZATION ITSELF & O!R MEMB]S MAY ACT AS /RESSORS1 & ?AT A P]SON'S BEHAVIOR IS NOT ALL ON !M4 ,F9ALLY1 ,I BELIEVE IT (F]S AN ULTIMATELY POSITIVE VIEW ( PEOPLE :O /RUGGLE ) M5TAL ILLNESS1 AS IT IS BO? COMPASSIONATE TO !IR /RUGGLES & RESPECTFUL ( !IR /R5G?S4 

,SO1 RA!R ?AN A CODE ( CONDUCT APPROA*--OR P]HAPS1 WRITT5 9 ) IT-- ! GR\P W\LD ALSO ALL[ 9DIVIDUALS TO TAKE LEAD]%IP 9 DEF9+ & GETT+ SUPPORT = !IR [N P>TICIPATION4 ,?IS W\LD ALL[ MEMB]S TO SET REALI/IC GOALS ?AT DON'T EXPECT P]FECT BEHAVIOR & ACCEPT & WORK ) COMPLEX FACTORS SU* AS M5TAL HEAL?4 ,SOME EXAMPLES ( ISSUES ?AT C\LD BE 9CLUD$ MI<T BE3 

#a7 ,UND]/&+3 ,H[ DOES ! 9DIVIDUAL UND]/& !IR [N BEHAVIOR & SITUATION8 ,:AT IS IMPORTANT = O!R MEMB]S TO KN[8 ,I ?9K EXPLA9+ :AT IS BEH9D C]TA9 BEHAVIORS MI<T HELP O!R MEMB]S BE MORE S5SITIVE TO POT5TIAL TRIGG]S1 AS WELL AS UND]/& G5]ALLY :AT IS AT PLAY4 

#b7 ,MEET+ /RATEGIES3 ,MEET+S CAN (T5 BE DIFFICULT4 ,:AT >E \R EXPECTATIONS >\ND CONDUCT 9 MEET+S8 ,:AT CAN ! GR\P PUT 9 PLACE TO BETT] ACCOMMODATE MEMB]S :O MI<T BE MORE EASILY OV]- :ELM$8 ,= EXAMPLE1 *ANG+ MEET+ /RUCTURES TO ALL[ = BREAKS DUR+ /RESSFUL TOPICS4 ,IT IS IMPORTANT H]E TO TALK AB\T RESPONSIBILITY--IS ! 9DIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE = DECID+ :AT !Y CAN OR CAN'T DEAL )8 ,:AT ROLE DO O!R GR\P MEMB]S HAVE8 

#c7 ,EXPECTATIONS >\ND CONFLICT3 ,CONFLICT CAN BE V]Y TRIGG]+ = MANY PEOPLE4 ,:AT CAN BE PUT 9 PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE >E ADDRESS+ ! REAL POLITICAL_//RATEGIC ISSUES1 )\T CREAT+ AN UNHEAL?Y OR UNSAFE SITUATION = MEMB]S8 ,:AT RESPONSIBILITIES DO DIFF]5T MEMB]S TAKE ON 9 5SUR+ CONFLICT IS H&L$ 9 PRODUCTIVE WAYS8 

#d7 ,EXPECTATIONS >\ND POLITICAL WORK3 ,SOMETIMES ?OSE ) REAL B>RI]S TO P>TICIPATION1 SU* AS M5TAL HEAL? CONC]NS1 >E P]CEIV$ AS 'FLAK+ \T' :5 !Y DON'T COMPLETE TASKS4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 HAV+ TO PICK UP EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES OR DEAL+ ) ! REP]CUSSIONS ( IMPORTANT WORK NOT GETT+ DONE CAN BE /RESSFUL = O!R MEMB]S4 ,H[ DO WE MANAGE ?IS8 ,:AT *ANNELS >E AVAILABLE IF WE NE$ TO %IFT ?+S >\ND8 ,H[ DO WE MAKE SURE EV]YONE ISN'T /RET*$ TO !IR LIMIT1 SO !RE IS SOMEONE EXTRA TO TAKE ?+S ON IF IT IS TOO MU*8 

,!RE MAY BE MANY O!RS1 DEP5D+ ON ! P>TICUL> 9DIVIDUALS & SITUATIONS 9VOLV$4 ,G5]ALLY1 H[EV]1 ! PR9CIPLES W\LD BE TO BE REALI/IC & NOT EXPECT P]FECTION2 TO TRY TO UND]/& & ACCOMMODATE 9DIVIDUALS2 & TO TALK AB\T %>+ RESPONSIBILITY--ACCOMMODATION DOESN'T MEAN MAK+ 
EXCUSES1 & HAV+ A M5TAL ILLNESS DOESN'T MEAN ?AT PEOPLE >E 9CAPABLE4 ,IT MAY JU/ MEAN WE NE$ SUPPORT TO P>TICIPATE4 ,IMPLEM5T+ ?IS MODEL W\LD ALSO MEAN HAV+ DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS >\ND \R LIMITATIONS--POT5TIALLY SUGGE/+ PEOPLE SEEK PR(ESSIONAL SUPPORT IF NE$$1 AS WELL AS LOOK+ AT :AT BEHAVIORS--SU* AS ?OSE ?AT >E OV]TLY OPPRESSIVE TO O!RS--WE REALLY CAN'T TOL]ATE1 REG>DLESS ( FACTORS 9VOLV$1 & W\LD REQUIRE US TO ASK PEOPLE TO LEAVE4 

,9 MO/ CASES1 H[EV]1 ! GOAL W\LD BE TO (F] SUPPORT SO ?AT MEMB]S NOT ONLY REMA9 9 POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS1 BUT ?RIVE 9 !M4 ,DESPITE SOME UNIQUE *ALL5GES ?AT COME AS AN AN>*I/S :O DEAL ) M5TAL ILLNESS1 WE ALSO BR+ A :OLE LOT ( RESILI5CE1 9SI<T1 S5SITIVITY1 D$ICATION1 & BRAV]Y FROM \R LIFE EXP]I5CES TO \R GR\PS & \R POLITICAL WORK4 ,& ALL AN>*I/S HAVE A LOT WE CAN LE>N FROM CREATIVELY SUPPORT+ & ACCOMMODAT+ EA* O!R1 LESSONS ?AT WILL HOPEFULLY C>RY OV] 9TO BROAD] /RUGGLES4 O 

,P>T #g3 ,TIPS & ,DISCUSSION ,TOPICS = ,GR\PS & ,ORGANIZATIONS 

,DEAL+ ) M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES %\LD BE A MATT] ( BASIC SOLID>ITY4 ,IT'S SOME?+ WE CAN DO TO HELP EA* O!R & IT'S GOOD = US A MOVEM5T1 TOO3 COMBAT+ BURN\T & CREAT+ A HEAL?Y CULTURE ( DISCUSSION1 OP5NESS1 & SUPPORT4 ,! FOLL[+ LI/ IS F> FROM EXHAU/IVE & IS1 9 FACT1 MORE A S]IES ( SUGGE/IONS ?AT GR\PS MI<T CONSID] 9 =MULAT+ A POLICY & PRACTICE ( ADDRESS+ M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES & SUPPORT+ MEMB]S DEAL+ ) DEPRESSION1 ANXIETY1 & OV]ALL EMOTIONAL /RESS4 

,:ILE !RE >E PROBABLY NO DEF9ITIVE ANSW]S = H[ TO BUILD SU* A CULTURE1 HAV+ DISCUSSIONS & CREAT+ /RUCTURES >E NECESS>Y FIR/ /EPS4 ,) ?AT 9 M9D1 H]E'S A LI/ ( POT5TIAL DISCUSSION PO9TS :I* RELATE TO POLITICAL ACTIVITY1 ORGANIZATION1 & M5TAL HEAL?3 

#a7 ,>E \R GR\PS OP5 AB\T M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES8 ,DO MEMB]S FEEL COM=TABLE DISCUSS+ !IR EMOTIONAL HEAL? OR TAK+ A %ORT M5TAL HEAL? BREAK8 ,IF NOT1 :Y NOT8 ,DO WE CASUALLY USE WORDS ?AT >E D]IV$ EXPRESSIONS :I* D5IGRATE ! M5TALLY ILL8 

,DO WE HAVE NETWORKS_//RUCTURES 9 PLACE TO SUPPORT ?OSE :O NE$ IT8 ,W\LD A SORT ( BUDDY SY/EM BE B5EFICIAL8 ,%\LD !RE BE A NAM$ P]SON OR PEOPLE :OSE ROLE IT IS TO 5SURE M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES >E ADDRESS$ BY ! WID] ORGANIZATION8 

,( C\RSE 9 ALL ( ?IS1 !RE'S A F9E L9E TO BE WALK$4 ,! REALITY IS ?AT !RE'S A /IGMA ASSOCIAT$ ) M5TAL ILLNESS4 ,?IS MEANS ?AT NOT EV]YONE WILL FEEL COM=TABLE TALK+ AB\T SU* ?+S1 EV5 9 :AT'S HOPEFULLY A SYMPA!TIC SITUATION4 ,?AT'S TO BE EXPECT$1 BUT IT %\LDN'T BE AN EXCUSE = US NOT CREAT+ A CULTURE ( OP5NESS & SUPPORT :5 IT COMES TO ISSUES ( M5TAL 7AS WELL AS PHYSICAL7 HEAL?4 

#b7 ,>E \R MEET+ PLACES & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES CONDUCIVE TO ?OSE :O MAY BE DEAL+ ) EMOTIONAL /RESS8 ,F> TOO (T51 ! B>_/PUB IS ! DEFAULT PLACE = \R MEET+S4 ,?IS IS NOT GO+ TO HELPFUL TO ?OSE :O'VE SUFF]$ FROM ADDICTION 9 ! PA/ OR :O MAY WANT TO AVOID CR[DS = :ATEV] REASON4 ,IF WE'RE GO+ TO BE AN OP5 MOVEM5T1 IT'S IMP]ATIVE WE 
HAVE OP51 ACC\NTABLE MEET+ SPACES4 

,ORGANIZATIONALLY1 >E WE CLIQUI%8 ,DO WE USE A LOT ( ALI5AT+ J>GON8 ,>E NEW MEMB]S CONSCI\SLY 9TEGRAT$ 9TO ! 9T]NAL LIFE ( ! ORGANIZATION8 

,AS A MOVEM5T :AT CAN WE DO TO ALLEVIATE ! /RESS ( \R MEMB]S :O HAVE MORE ON !IR PLATE ?AN JU/ POLITICS8 ,IS *ILDC>E AVAILABLE AT MEET+S8 ,DO MEET+ SPACES HAVE DISABILITY ACCESS8 ,>E \R MEET+S %ORT1 CONCISE1 & /RUCTUR$ OR DO !Y DRAG ON 9T]M9ABLY8 

,SIMIL>LY1 DO ALL \R SOCIAL FUNCTIONS REVOLVE >\ND ALCOHOL OR A P>TICUL> MUSICAL SUBCULTURE8 ,A V>IETY ( SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WILL ATTRACT A V>IETY ( P>TICIPANTS4 ,REG>DLESS ( :E!R SOMEONE IS SUFF]+ FROM DEPRESSION OR NOT1 IT'S GO+ TO BE REALLY HELPFUL IF !RE'S A *OICE ( SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ON (F]4 ,IT WILL HELP PEOPLE OP5 UP & FEEL LIKE !Y'RE P>T ( ! L>G] GR\P1 CREAT+ ! BONDS ?AT ALL[ US TO TACKLE ISSUES LIKE M5TAL HEAL?4 

#c7 ,DO WE PROACTIVELY UND]TAKE ACTIVITIES :I* >E GOOD = ! M5TAL HEAL? ( EV]YONE8 ,?IS CAN BE SIMPLE ?+S LIKE 9CORPORAT+ PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 9TO ! SOCIAL LIFE ( ORGANIZATIONS4 ,WE CAN HAVE REGUL> SPORT+ EV5TS OR (F] SELF-DEF5SE CLASSES4 ,OR WE CAN 5C\RAGE MEMB]S TO USE !IR CREATIVITY TO B5EFIT ! MOVEM5T4 ,EV]Y?+ FROM POETRY1 >T1 MUSIC1 & !AT] CAN BE !RAPEUTIC & !RE'S NO REASON SU* ACTIVITIES CAN'T BE A P>T ( :AT WE DO4 ,!Y >E NOT ONLY GOOD = ?OSE ( US SUFF]+ M5TAL ILLNESS1 BUT = ALL ( US1 NOT LEA/ BECAUSE !Y REM9D US ( ! GOOD1 %>$ HUMAN ?+S = :I* WE >E ALL FI<T+4 O 

,CR$ITS3 ,AB\T ,\R ,CONTRIBUTORS444 

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,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#i1 #bba 3 ,CLASS ,/RUGGLE & ,M5TAL ,HEAL? -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #g1 #bbb 3 ,CLASS ,/RUGGLE & ,M5TAL ,HEAL? -- ,UPDAT$4 

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