The Mental Illness Awareness Week blog, sharing stories of recovery, personal experiences, and mental health/mental illness news.

5/31/10

Stigma-free alternate world beckons

Even when the tickets were sold out, people kept phoning, hoping a spot would open up. Clearly, Toronto's first mental health camp met a need.

The day-long “unconference” — as organizers described it — was an opportunity for people with mental illness, those who care for them, and those who care about them, to explore the benefits and dangers of social networking.

It's a new frontier for those trapped and stigmatized by their diagnosis.

“People have found a place where they are able to be themselves,” said organizer Anne Ptasznik, who has worked in the mental health field for 15 years. “You're a Facebook friend first, who happens to have a mental illness.”

Do you feel there is less stigma of mental illness in the online community?

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