Baltimore was our final stop and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the tour. Being in a city gives us an opportunity to reach a wider population than college students. Even though Active Minds is a college based organization, we know that mental health affects everyone and our city displays give a chance to reach out to more than students.
When we are doing our displays, it is amazing to notice the open and comfortable atmosphere we are creating for people to share their experiences. Being in Baltimore was an opportunity for us to hear stories from all walks of life. When people see what we are doing and the way we are opening a dialogue about mental health, they seem to be more open about their past with mental illness and ways they can continue to help themselves.
Most of the Active Minds staff was in Baltimore helping throughout the day. I continued to hear so many different stories that were shared with them by people coming to see the display. Many people that I spoke with said that they usually didn’t talk about what they had been through. People stated that they were able to share with us because we could understand they had struggled and they were in an atmosphere where they were comfortable. I think that it is amazing that we are able to create such an atmosphere where people feel that they can share experiences with strangers.
Most of the places where we set up the display are outside and they cover a huge area. They are public settings, and we invite anybody to come through and learn about suicide and mental health awareness. I am still amazed at every stop at what people are able to share in such a public setting. I think that it is remarkable that we are able to help people in the process of healing and story sharing in such a public place.
This concept is something important to remember in our everyday lives when we are talking with people from strangers to acquaintances to family members. When people know that others care, they are more willing to open up and share their feelings and struggles. Being in an atmosphere that is free of judgement sends a message that it doesn’t matter what someone is going through, there is someone there to listen. Sometimes that is all that anyone needs.
It was a wonderfully touching day in Baltimore. The display was wonderful and some of the stories shared by people who came by reminded me how incredibly meaningful and important your work is. I’m so proud of all of the hard work went in to the work – it really does pay off. So thanks for bringing it to Baltimore! I know it really reached a lot of people.
I stopped by the baltimore display and when finding out what all of those backpacks represent was quite sombered to think of so many lives lost. My friend and I spoke with some folks for a long time and then we moved on to continue to celebrate my birthday, I also have suffered some difficult times in life and it is by God’s grace that I managed to get through. So keep up the good work. There is a movie callled To Save A Life that should be of interest to you it regards the matter of a high school student that commited suicide ans how one of his friends in time formed a program to help with such things that students may face.
Also the pictures of the baltimore visit are too compressed the images need to be proper adjusted.
Greetings from NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore,
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, Inc (NAMI-MB) is a grassroots, family-oriented support, education and advocacy organization founded in 1981. NAMI offers opportunities for family members and individuals with mental illness to gain balance and rebuild lives devastated by mental illness. Through peer support groups, education, and advocacy we promote a greater understanding of mental illness.
NAMI Metropolitan-Baltimore is in need of your help. We have two exciting opportunities for volunteers living with mental illness to facilitate consumer recovery support groups in homeless shelters in Baltimore City and County. This is a unique opportunity to help the Baltimore metropolitan area’s most vulnerable citizens. We are currently looking for new NAMI Connection consumer recovery support Group Facilitators.
Our support groups are peer-led and they offer the opportunity to share common issues and discuss possible solutions to problems. Support groups do not replace professional therapy but they can be incredibly helpful. They are free and are offered throughout the year!
NAMI Metro-Baltimore is looking for individuals who are:
· good listeners
· have a mental illness
· can facilitate a 90 minute group 2- 4 times a month
· Want to help other consumers help each other!
We ask that you facilitate 2 or more times a month. Consumer support groups meet once a week for 90 minutes. Please note that there will be an intensive three day facilitator training beginning on Friday morning and ending on Sunday evening. This year, the training is at NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore on September 9-11, 2011. No overnight stay is needed. Don’t worry— you don’t need any experience–in fact we’d almost prefer you didn’t have any experience running support groups! We hope that you can make this commitment and can help others that are in need of support.
Deneice Valentine
Peer Education and Support Program Coordinator
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore
dvalentine@nami.org
410-435-2600