Updates, Thoughts, Call to Action
As we enter into the last quarter of the year that has no words to describe it, I've been working on reminding myself how far I've come in my work as a mental health advocate.
Despite not working at an official job for over 6 months now, I've been keeping busy with reaching out and helping others where I can.
In the middle of September, my interview with a local online news outlet was published (you can check it out on my website's homepage, under the Testimonials/Articles page). I was quite pleased with how it turned out and was happy with the positive response.
One of my sticking points is always the thought, "Am I doing enough if I don't hear from others?" I really have to "get over it", but I just wish it was easier said then done.
So the article was a big help for me as far as people knowing now that I'm serious about what I do.
With that said, I've been reaching out to area businesses/organizations to further promote by efforts. I'm looking forward to working with other area entrepreneurs to work on my speaking skills and to start to formulate ideas as far as an actual business would go. I know I need to get exposure, which is difficult enough in of itself and especially when you are still social distancing. But I found an organization that works with local entrepreneurs that are or have started up, so will see what I can learn from them. I'm also in talks with a well-known mental health facility about how I can help them spread the word on mental health. The person I've spoken to is very interested in my concept idea that I've shared with them.
Other than that, NAMI had their annual NAMI Walks fundraising event this past Saturday. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to participate in person and I tried fundraising, though I wasn't too successful. Our local chapter is going through some staff turnover, so I'm curious to see how it all pans out. I still haven't been able to work as a volunteer peer support specialist as I've been unable to be connected to someone. I was contacted about a month ago, but due to a couple of circumstances, it didn't work out. Hopefully, I will be able to connect with someone in the future.
That's about all I have as far as my advocacy work.
With the pandemic seemingly never ending, our country is exhausted. There's no doubt about that.
The political climate has reached critical mass. I'm personally getting tired of being inundated with political texts, emails, and calls.
With that said, I feel compelled to do a Call to Action.
Vote!
Please vote this fall.
I know some of you may feel that voting doesn't matter. I use to think the same way. Then I realized something.
How many other people (talking in the millions) have that exact same thought?
I know there's a lot of distrust in our government. No matter who wins this November, we have a lot of work to do.
I'm going to be real with you for a moment.
You only have two options.
The others on the ballot are decoys, to take away votes from one particular party.
As my partner has often told me during this pandemic, it's no longer become about politics, but about humanity.
Think about those important people in your life, including yourself. Think about it in terms of mental health and the effects it has played in your life.
Personally, we as a country need to be able to respectfully discuss the important issues we all face. Who do you think would offer a better possibility of it?
I rest my case...
