Self-Determination

Self-determination is about:
• knowing oneself,
• making choices, taking control,
• believing in oneself, and
• taking action to reach one’s goals.

My favorite definition of self-determination is the "ability to identify and achieve goals based on a foundation of knowing and valuing oneself" (Field & Hoffman). I believe that this is a critically important skill for everyone but perhaps even more so for people with a chronic health condition, including a mental illness. Skills leading to self-determination must be taught. I teach my graduate students about self-determination, hoping they will soon teach their own students in schools where they will work. I continue to believe in the importance of self-determination but I now know there is something beyond being self-determined. Advocacy and empowerment are the next steps and, in my opinion, a critical part of health, stability and perhaps even recovery.

Bring Change 2 Mind was initiated with the goal to eliminate stigma towards those living with mental illnesses. Stigma is reduced or eliminated when we “know” someone who has a mental illness. It changes our idea of what it means to be mentally ill. Yet why should someone with a mental illness who is living well reveal that they have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, or any of a long list of disorders and illnesses that can stop a person in their tracks? I had the honor and privilege to write a book with my daughter Linea. It was a huge learning opportunity for me and she has taught me so much. She opened her life to the world by sharing her very personal journals as she moved through the beginning symptoms, through the terrifying illness and into the eventual diagnosis of bipolar disorder. I have watched her progress from developing the skills of self-determination to becoming a wise and thoughtful advocate. I have watched her become empowered to make a difference in her world and for others.

Bring Change 2 Mind has been an important part of this journey. Finding BC2M and BC2M finding us is a part of our story. We were part of this organization shortly after it began. We were privileged to work with a small and mighty group who had the drive, vision and ambition to move a personal discussion between family members about mental illness to a national and international campaign to eliminate stigma around mental illnesses. We found the commonalities between families affected by mental illnesses (and one that included the actress Glenn Close’s family) and our own family. We found a group of volunteers who quickly became friends as we worked together to move the vision of BC2M forward. We had many life-changing experiences as we worked together for a common cause.

Linea sat at a table with Glenn and her sister Jessie and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and found familiar issues of mental illness and a shared drive to make a change. I found a group of people who not only “got it” but wanted to do something about it. In addition to the work of the campaign I found a support group who understood where we had been and friends who were with me as I moved into an unknown future. I found that healing was part of the process as I found my voice and added it to an organization working to change not only the perception of mental illnesses but to increase support, information and resources for people and their families and friends touched by mental illnesses.

I urge you to share your own stories, find your voice and push hard to change peoples’ minds about mental illnesses. A critical mass of powerful people can work to eliminate stigma as well as affect the amount of resources available and the research to find the best treatment for mental health conditions.