Greatest Wish:reducing the Stigma of mental illness

[RationalMuse]

I am 42 yrs old, mother of two wonderful daughters, actually happily married, teacher and diagnosed with major depression 22 yrs ago. I have had the on again off again love/hate relationship with meds but have been stable on what I consider my magic cocktail of Effexor, Welbutrin, Cipralex and Seroquil for over a decade. Biggest battle these days is dealing with situational stress/anxiety from work and the realization that I haven't been free from workplace bullying except for brief periods for over the past ten years. Anyone else have workplace bullying impact their lives? It royally sucks and is a killer to prove. Kind of like depression. One of my biggest dreams is to eliminate the stigma of depression so that my daughters and students won't have to face the uphill battle of seeking help, staying with a doctor and/or meds if they ever need them and have the ability to be free from all the extra special judgement that so many of us face. Finding a podcast and forum that acknowledges all the shitty stuff but also the actual absurdity and even humour of dealing with depression or anxiety is something I have always hoped I could create and I am glad I found it here. Hell if I couldn't make sick jokes about my incredibly convoluted thinking (once I am not thinking that way) and the absurd ideas that float in and luckily out if my brain I would be crazy beyond the help of any combo of meds or therapy out there.

[meh]

Hi RationalMuse!

Ditto on the humor. Sick twisted humor definitely helps. If I couldn't laugh at the voices and twisted logic that runs through my brain, I'd be a lot worse off.

As far as the stigma goes... I have a bad feeling it's going to get a lot worse thanks to Adam Lanza.

[Johanna]

Glad you are here, RationalMuse,

Even though I'm retired, I'd be interested in discussions of workplace bullying. Oh, yes, and humor should permeate all aspects of our lives.

Welcome

[gfyourself]

Regarding the bullying, the best thing would be to get a new job. Assuming that's not in the cards, I'd suggest documenting each instance for a period of time (say 6 months) and then go to one of your boss or human resources department and lay it out. If you think that would make it worse (eg. backfire on you / not change anything) then I would consult an employment lawyer before doing it.
It would help the discussion to know what your workplace is like (eg. who is doing the bullying, what type, how often, size of company, is there a true HR department) etc.

[RationalMuse]

I live in Alberta Canada and our Lt Governor (Queen's representative, figure head no meaningful power) has started a program called The Circle with money dedicated to supporting people and organizations that are working to reduce the stigma of mental illness. He has suffered with PTSD. Finding people or the opportunity to organize something meaningful isn't that simple. I am trying to come up with something for my high school but finding the right people to put something like this together isn't easy either.

I teach high school with our public school board which is essentially a monopoly as an employer for me - there is almost no place I could get another job or career change that would provide me with the same income and benefits. Plus I am making 2/3 of our family income. Our teachers' association isn't terribly effective at standing up against workplace rights especially bullying since it represents teachers, administrators, dept heads and principals equally. Quitting isn't an option although with recent incidents with a tyrant of a principal I was in a position that meant that choosing to stand up for what is right and legal put me at risk of being fired (unjustly but without a job until a legal hearing).

I am planning on becoming an advocate for bullying prevention programs in all schools and challenge school boards to provide all staff with the same protection as everyone believes students deserve. It is like the oxygen masks on an airplane and the adults having to put on their masks before helping children or other people. I have learned a lot from the Workplace Bullying Institute and am establishing connections via twitter with bullying prevention programs. Being in a school, I have the chance to help students which is the best reward.