LETTER TO THE EDITOR: NY DAILY NEWS

So, one of my new endeavors is to contact various media sources about their discriminatory stories involving mental illness. I would like to share with you my first letter to the editor. 

I was in line at the super market when my eye caught the cover of NY Daily News. The headline read in big letters, " NO END TO THE STAE OF SHAME: ALBANY TURNS INTO MADHOUSE" I of course pick up the paper to read further. It didn't take long to locate the discriminatory comment. The first paragraph read:

"Yesterday's coup d'etat revealed Albany for the madhouse it has become, with the lunatics firmly in charge of the asylum." Now sure, people may tell me that I am too sensitive but if this editor used a different stereotype to compare to the NY State Senate, I am sure he or she would be forced to apologize for this insensitivity. 

Here is my letter to the editor. I am hoping that I hear back:)

"I would like to comment on the editorial, "No end to the State of Shame: Albany turns into madhouse". Not so much for the content, rather the offensive comparison that was made. The stigma of mental illness is still alive and well. Due to lack of awareness, many news stories continue to portray mental illness in a discriminating nature. This article compares New York's Senate to a MADHOUSE, ASYLUM full of LUNATICS. I am tired of these derogatory comparisons because they discriminate and stereotype real people who are dealing with mental illness. Did you know discrimination against mental illness is about 20 years behind all other forms of discrimination? 

And why must the media sensationalize situations involving violence and mental illness? These stories only create public fear and personal shame. Did you know that 95% of all homicides are committed by individuals with NO mental illness? And 90% of people with a mental illness are NEVER violent? I think the public would be shocked to hear these statistics.

I am an advocate who is working to raise awareness because my brother suffers from schizophrenia. I can tell you first hand that the strength and courage required to overcome mental illness is nothing short of miraculous. Families are also subject to paralyzing, emotional pain as they watch their loved ones struggle to reach recovery. I would love for the Daily News to run a positive story about mental illness and discuss my cause. I think many people, who are otherwise misinformed, may gain insight into the reality of mental illness. Society plays a role in recovery because shame is one of the main reasons why people will not seek treatment. Could you imagine a cancer patient not seeking treatment because he or she is ashamed of their illness? The cancer patient could die from their illness whereas some one with an untreated mental disorder could die from suicide. You can learn more about my cause at the following links (my blog has many supportive followers):

Web:  www.gaining-insight.com (check out the PAINTINGS page)
Blog:  www.gaining-insight.blogspot.com
News:  www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=750776

Feel free to contact me if you would like to run a story. We need to replace fear with empathy and shame with courage. I will soon have an educational video documentary about this topic. I hope to show this video in high-schools and universities across the nation." 

FIRST TV APPEARANCE

I was asked by Art Rage Gallery if I would be interested in doing a little interview with Syracuse.com. I guess all the news is on the internet now:) Anyway, I seem a little nervous, but I am thankful for any opportunity to raise awareness. The video is directly below. Also, here are two little news articles (article 1 & article 2) which were written for the Syracuse Post Standard. The photo above was taken by the interviewer and made PHOTO OF THE DAY in the same paper. Yikes, it is strange to see my face in the paper. Guess it comes with the territory but still strange because I am shy. I am excited to collect all publicity as I continue to raise awareness about mental illness. I hope to show it to my brother when he gets better so he knows how much he has inspired me. I don't know where this road leads but thank you for all of your support! 

RAISING AWARENESS 

ONE GALLERY AT A TIME

So, I didn't know how busy May would be for me but I am even more inspired to continue to fight stigma than ever before. My very first gallery show opened at Art Rage-The Norton Public Gallery in Syracuse, NY at the end of April. This particular gallery has set out to exhibit progressive art that inspires resistance and promotes social awareness; supports social justice, challenges preconceptions and encourages cultural change.  

This show was very symbolic to me since I grew up and attended college in Syracuse. As people gathered during the show's reception, I couldn't shake the fact that my brother was in a state hospital about three miles away. But Josh was definitely there in spirit. His strength was seen in the posters that greeted guests. The response I received was overwhelming! I met a few artists who deal with mental illness first hand. Their art was both inspiring and honest. The gallery included a photo essay titled "Nothing to Hide". I am sure some of you have heard about this traveling show, if not, you can learn more here. At the exhibit, I met a few individuals who could help me raise awareness on a much larger scale. 

About three days after my return from Syracuse, I attended The Saratoga County Citizens' Committee for Mental Health (SCCCMH) annual dinner. I am a new board member so I felt a little out of place:) The committee was honoring a local psychiatrist for his contributions and loyalty to Saratoga County. I was moved to tears when two of his patients honored the doctor with a speech and artwork. It was the first time I was able to see how inportant a doctor can be in one's recovery. As the doctor got up to accept his award, you could see tears in his eyes. He proceeded to say that he should not accept the award because the true heroes are those who struggle with mental illness as well as their families. I was excited to introduce my husband to the committee and specifically a young woman who I has the same illness as my brother. She is quite an inspiration and gives me hope that my brother could get better some day. 

One day after the dinner, I attended the Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. for their Spring Reception and Silent auction. A young woman contacted me about displaying my art at the show. Unfortunately, my art was still being shown in Syracuse but I had a better idea. I was already working on my documentary so I offered to show the opening because it included images of my artwork. They projected the short video as a back drop to the reception. I also donated two of my giclée art prints (one of the framed prints is seen above) for their silent auction. I never guessed that the art prints would raise almost $300 for charity! The man who bid on both prints said they would be displayed on the walls of a new mental health facility. He hopes they will make an impact on patients who pass by. After I told this man more about my cause, he asked me to speak at an upcoming event. I was so surprised:)

I tried to show my support by bidding on artwork, and I won! The piece (seen below-left side) was created by an eighty year old woman after the death of her partner, Jack. I was surprised to learn how old she was since the artwork is childlike in nature. Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." The piece to the right (below) was created by an artist who was showing at the gallery along with my work. His artwork is beautiful and even more meaningful when I learned about his fight with mental illness. I will blog more about him in the future.

I will post about the final leg of the art exhibit tomorrow. I am excited to tell you about my educational video which I presented for the first time last weekend! I will also tell you about an inspirational speaker who has recovered from bipolar disorder after returning from Dessert Storm!

SORRY FOR THE DELAY

I have so much to tell you about but have been too busy to find time to write a post:) Check back soon!

QUESTION EVERYTHING

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of viewing Shepard Fairey's art exhibit in Boston. You know him best for his Obama poster (see below). At the exhibit, I read a letter from President Obama which commended Shepard for his help. Obama encouraged him to continue with his creative efforts. I didn't really know much about Shepard's art but I was blown away. He even uses one of my favorite sayings, "QUESTION EVERYTHING". His work is very political and graphic. He is heavily influenced by Warhol, punk design and communist propaganda (posters). I became very inspired to continue with my mission and to never hold back. Mental illness stigma has yet to be dealt with but it is very necessary if we want to see progress. By the way, this was Shepard's first show after 20 years of work. Being a graphic designer, it is nice to see this type of art is being recognized. Visit this site if you would like to learn more. 

MY ART PRINTS ARE FINALLY FOR SALE!!

I am very happy to announce that my art prints and posters are FINALLY UP FOR SALE!! The proofing process took longer than expected so I apologize for the delay (I am a perfectionist). Payments are handled though the very secure PayPal. I would like to remind everyone that 75% of ALL print sales will be donated to various mental health charities. I am excited to contribute in some way, especially with research. Hopefully we will see new and improved treatments in the future (my hope is for a cure)!

If you have any questions, please let me know. The larger art prints are the closest in size to my original canvas paintings. Very vibrant prints! I have listed framing suggestions with each print. I will include this with each print order as well. Thank you again for your continued support and kind words. I hope my artwork will act as a reminder of how much courage is needed to overcome this illness. Please forward this email to as many people as you can.

Click here to go directly to the online store.

PUBLIC HEALTH IN ANCIENT TIMES

A man contacted me soon after my website went live. He was interested in my cause and recently completed his masters in Public Health. He submitted a paper to his dean about an incident that occurred in Nevada among the Anasazi. I hope you have the chance to read his paper below. His paper reminds us of how far we have come with mental health resources and knowledge. However, I think there are shocking similarities between stigma then and now. We owe it to the millions affected by mental illness to educate the public.

Petroglyph Symbols Tell a Story of Public Health

"In Nevada there are many sites where petroglyphs have been carved into stone. Petroglyophs are pictures or symbols that have been etched into stone, often to tell a story. They were created by ancient Native Americans between 300 BC and 1150 AD. Clans of Native Americans known as the Basketmakers and the Anasazi lived in the area during those years, at different times, and are responsible for recording this story of a Public Health tragedy.

The Clan occupied the area of the Virgin and Muddy River Valleys in southeast Nevada. They had at least two base villages, neither of which supplied all their basic requirements and they made yearly migrations between the sites and into the mountains for hunting and seed gathering, as well as for comfort. The higher elevations of the mountains provided cooler temperatures during the summer and the valleys below were warmer during the winter.
Year after year they followed the same routes after establishing where life sustaining water could be found. At a halfway point was an outcropping of rock with depressions worn into places by water and weather in the past. These depressions held water after the rains fell, and in the spring clan members would watch for storms that would fill the depressions as a signal that it was time to begin their migration up the mountain.

They heavily depended on the water in the natural cisterns to quench their thirst and to refill their handmade water containers. A sad tale is recorded in the petroglyphs nearby. 

One man who had an antisocial mental condition which he probably could not control polluted the depressions of water with his own waste. Some of the members of the clan became very sick, and some later died. A leader of the group chastised the man, who they labeled the Evil Man, but he was unwilling or unable to listen.

A mediator was brought in but his attempts to assist the two men in communication were a total failure. The clan members attempted to dispose of the contaminated water so that others could avoid drinking it, but the Evil Man continued to offend them by dousing them with his wastes from higher on the cliff.

Great turmoil resulted. Those who were sick were isolated from the rest, and their discomfort from intestinal disease was recorded. A number of individuals died.

At least two council meetings took place where the problem was assessed and it was determined there was no easy solution. They did not know how to treat the mental condition or how to correct his behavior. They determined that the evil offenses had to be brought to an end, and the only way to do that and save their clan was to “chop off” his life. The Evil Man was bound, hands and feet, and he was placed in a controlled environment. He continued to use verbal threats against the clan members. They took him to a nearby high cliff, and despite the Evil Man’s continued protests, without guilt (as a result of their joint reasoning) threw him over the edge of the cliff. 

The council members talked about how their Spirit God was angered toward the Evil Man, and were sure that their God rendered punishment, in addition to his death.

The clan had to continue their journey without water, and because of this, began one morning early before daybreak. Their trip was slowed by the individuals who were ill, and trail became known as the Ill Trail.

Some of the members of the band of Indians survived, we know, because years later the story was recorded. Then sometime later, the story was re-recorded, with better organization and detail.

This story certainly is a tale of public health. The environmental crisis potentiated by this one man had the capacity to wipe out the entire clan of Native Americans. The leaders recognized this and realized that the man had a mental condition that could not be controlled. They reasoned together and came to the only solution that would give their group a chance of survival.

The petroglyphs that tell this story are fascinating, and can be seen in The Offense of the Evil Man. The information used for this paper comes from The Offense of the Evil Man (and its consequences) by Verl Frehner, published by Rocky Mountain Printing in 2003."