Countering Stigma and Discrimination

Here is the link to an article on removing the awful stigma out there in society. It is about the plan by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to counteract the stigma concerning mental illness. It is a national plan to be carried out in every province and territory in Canada.

http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/Anti-Stigma/Operational%20Plan%20SD%202008%20sept2908.pdf

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia: Kings County Chapter Announcement

We will not be having a meeting in December this year. We will be having a get together in January with food, music, and the opportunity to socialize. When I have the details I will post them on this blog.

Christmas Oratorio

For those of you who love good classical music

Acadia School of Music presents
J.S Bach’s
Christmas Oratorio

Tickets are now on sale for the Acadia University School of Music’s production of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the Acadia Box Office.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or reserved by phone by calling the box office at 542-5500 or toll free at 1-800-542-8425.

When: Sunday, November 29^th, 3pm
Where: Festival Theatre Building, Acadia University
Tickets: $20 Adults / $15 Students & Seniors

This production features the Acadia University Chorusdirected by Michael Caines and the Acadia String Ensemble directed by Laura Veeze. Soloists include School of Music Voice faculty Christianne Rushton and guest soloists Susan Boddie, Ryan Billington, and Ross Thompson. The production will also feature members of Symphony Nova Scotia as well as students and faculty from the School of Music.

Kick off the holiday season this fall by experiencing this musical masterwork! One performance only – get your tickets early before they sell out!

Christmas Craft Show

Kim and I will be selling our product at this craft show.

Christmas Craft Show

Hantsport Fire Hall

December 4th 10 am - 6 pm

December 5th 10 am - 4 pm

Door Prizes Daily.

Chance to win $5.00 voucher to be spent at the craft show.

Draw for Christmas basket at the end of the show.

Come for last minute Christmas shopping and some great gift ideas.

If a crafter would like to book a table contact:

Kathleen Macdow

(902) 684-9898

The table cost $25.00 for both days.

Apology

I greatly apologize for the comment I published on my link to the CBC article on stigma. I didn't realize that the link he put on the comment was inappropriate. I tried the link myself and the web page didn't come up. When I checked it tonight it did come up. I didn't know how to delete the comment so I deleted the whole post.

I am a moral person and I think that the site that the link was to wasn't appropriate.

Once again I apologize.

Tony

RE: Obsessed With Religion

In a previous article I discussed my obsession with religion. I have been successful at putting all thoughts of religion out of my mind. I have not been reading about it, discussing it, or even thinking about it. I have given myself a break from it and I feel a lot better because of it. It is nice to get my obsessions with religion out of my mind for a while. It makes me feel relieved. My mind is at peace with itself. It is one thing to be religious but it is another thing to be obsessed with it.

I am seriously thinking about taking a permanent break from religion. Although I want to get away from religion it is still important to me to have some sort of spiritual beliefs and spiritual life for myself. I personally believe that it is my spiritual beliefs that have helped me recover from my mental illness, addiction, and alcoholism. Without my spiritual beliefs I would not be recovering from any of these things.

The question is: How can I still have my spiritual beliefs without becoming obsessed with religion? In my mind there is a difference between the two. A person can become spiritual without becoming overly religious. I must confess that spirituality is very important to me. Without it I would not be able to survive and live a life of meaning and purpose. There are many things that give me meaning and purpose in life. One of them is my spiritual beliefs. As human beings we need to be whole. For meaning and purpose I need my marriage, work, hobbies, spiritual beliefs, psychological stability, and emotional stability. All these different aspects of my life are important to make me a whole person. We cannot just treat part of the person we need to treat the whole person.

So, I need to figure out what spiritual beliefs I want to believe and practice in my life. I want to avoid all the dogma and doctrines of organized religion. No matter what religion it is. I personally believe that I have made the right decision concerning these matters. I am thinking about deleting all my blogs I have on religion and philosophy. Or should I just leave them there for now? I might change my mind down the road. That is one of the symptoms of OCD. Changing one's mind all the time and going round and round in circles.

For now I feel good about my decision not to give up on my spiritual beliefs but forsake the religion thing altogether. Wish me luck.

Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia: Kings County Chapter Meeting Announcement

Time: Wednesday November 25 2009 at 7:00 pm

Place: St. Josephs Catholic Church

Location: Belcher St. Kentville, NS.

Speaker: Jennifer Longley of Care Givers N.S. She will also be answering questions.

For more information call 678-8458

Psychiatry: A Specialty Relegated to the Basement

Here is an eye opening article on the stigma attached to doctors that want to specialize in Psychiatry. In my opinion the stigma in the medical profession is worse than it is in the general population. This shouldn't be. My readers should read this article. I personally believe that this article is truly factual and something needs to be done to rectify this situation.

To read the article click on the link below.

http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081124.wmhstigma1125/BNStory/mentalhealth/

Are Mental Health Professionals Immune to Stigmatizing Beliefs?

Here is an interesting article about stigma held by mental health professionals. Is stigma just found in society or is it also harbored in the minds of mental health professionals as well? I think that my readers will find this article enlightening.

To read the article click on the link below.

http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/56/5/610