VOICES of RECOVERY- VT

Community Education about Recovery from Mental Illness and Addictions

Since its start in 2001, the Mental Health Education Initiative’s  speakers bureau (MHEI) has been spreading awareness and understanding about mental health.  Since its founding, the organization provided speakers for community groups in the Chittenden County area. Now that group has merged with another speakers bureau that educated the public in all parts of Vermont about addictions. The new and more inclusive speakers bureau is called Voices of Recovery- Vermont.

The goal is to promote understanding of recovery from both mental illness and addictions, and to inspire hope for people’s recovery.

The program provides speakers for a variety of groups and organizations. Speakers have made appearances at libraries, retirement communities, colleges and graduate schools, hospital psychiatric wards, spiritual organizations, civic groups, the UVM medical school, and more.

People who experience a disability are the most effective speakers and are extremely influential in helping others overcome misunderstandings and stigmatizing attitudes. It has proved tremendously beneficial for people training to become professional service providers to hear the stories of individuals who have combated mental illness or who are still in the recovery process. Hearing these first hand accounts gives suffering and recovery a human face.  An audience member wrote, “The speakers conveyed new hope and encouragement. I gained insight on persistence, determination, and creativity. Our speaker was an excellent example of life expressing itself despite obstacles.”

The recovery process is complex and is unique for each individual. A person who is ruled by uncontrollable emotions thoughts, and cravings must have hope that a new life is possible. Medication and meeting with a therapist is never the solution in its entirety. The professionals and the patients must work hard together to overcome fear and grief over loss of self-power. The patient must work hard as well. “We must take some risks,” said Joan Knight, founder of MHEI, we must “dare to move in a new direction, even when we don’t think we can.” The recovery process is one of trial and error; a lot of self-help is involved.

Going outside, exercising, talking with others, getting more sleep, as well as proper nutrition can aid the body and the mind. Everyone’s experiences and lives are different, and therefore each person’s road to recovery is unique. ”Voices” is trying to help others understand this concept in order to aid more people in finding the best way to build a new and satisfying life with freedom from severe addictions.

Awareness is everything. These speakers inform people about a subject that does not get the attention it should. Fear can hinder understanding and recovery. “Jane was very casual, comfortable and inspiring. She has a calm, gentle style of speaking and her message of hope comes through every word.” Speakers open the door of hope with information that had before been closed to many. Audience members discover they are not alone.

In a typical year speakers give about 50 presentations to twenty different audiences. Each presentation is followed by open dialogue and feedback. The group is always looking for more venues for presentations. Your inquiries are welcome.