Tomorrow, I’m expecting a phone call. During this call, if I can convince Isobel to watch a show and not yell about taking ownership over the conversation, I’ll be interviewed by a reporter for the Georgia Strait. This is a big fucking deal to me.
She was looking for people with mental illness experience – you know I’ve got a little bit of that, right? *wink* So it seems that I might be her gal, at least for an hour. How did I end up signing up for this?
I’m going to be speaking at a conference here in Vancouver, Mental Health Camp. The purpose of this all-day event on Saturday, April 25th is to explore the complex relationship between social media and mental health, be it in relation to blogging, using Twitter, healing others or becoming healthy – about reducing stigma via various two-way methodology on the Internetz.
My topic is an obvious (if you’ve been here for a little while) one: mommy blogging and mental illness. I’ll be discussing the social interpretation of mommy bloggers and how reputations can precede us. About how being known as one with a mental illness and a mommy blogger can get hackles raised, CPS called and how that can effect change in our lives. Or in my case, not.
I started blogging, and continue to do, so for mostly selfish reasons – I get to vent all over your screen and whether you want to or not, or even if you weren’t here, I feel support. As a result of this, from my hands-on candidness and boldness in relating both mine and Isobel’s angst, I’ve gained friends made of gold, stayed up late at night when someone’s heart or head was ailing, and I’ve gotten to know myself (and the world around me) much better.
This blogging schtick, even at its lowest points, even in its ugliest moments, even when visions were painted clearly that made you (and me) wince, is working for me. I do it, because even if it doesn’t seem like it, I get a little temporary healing from each word, post, comment, email, tweet, virtual (and real) hug, and on and on. It helps me.
Apparently, there’s a reason some of you do it, too. Some of you out there are also bold and honest about your own struggles with sanity. Some of you mommies are not picture perfect in Manolos, pearls and the newest Juicy lipgloss. Some of you have also blogged about your medication, suicide attempt, PPD, depression, ADD, eating disorder, social anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.
You are who I want to talk about at this conference. If you’re going to be in the Vancouver area on the 25th, please consider attending, but even if you’re not, or you have other plans, or you just aren’t that big a fan of Gastown, please consider this:
Part of my talk at Mental Health Camp will focus on mommy bloggers, yes. But not so vaguely. Part of my babbling will mention you, how you blog, about what, why, where, etc. I want to know who you are, out there, the ones that choose to do like I do – let it bleed it on the page.
Please leave me a comment with a link to your post on your mommy blog relating your own issue, struggle, purpose and M.O. about your mental health – I want to discuss in 10 days what, as a community, we’ve done to virtually erase the stigma of moms with mental issues, and use you as an example of what change can look like.
Alternatively, you can email me at mommy is moody {at} gmail {dot} com. If you know that I’m already familiar with you and you don’t want to be referenced, please do let me know that, too.
One more request: can you please pass this on? I know there’s a lot of ladies out there who deserve to have their backs patted for spotlighting the elephant in the room. Stumble, Digg, Tweet, share in your readers, email the link, Facebook it – please help me get the word out.
I want to mention how awesome you are.
