He shared some of his background and experience with all of us, and spoke of his time working as a employee of mental health in Santa Clara county. He organized a self-help group there and continued to expand to other counties through-out Northern California. He spoke of different levels of client empowerment, dignity toward yourself and others, quality of your own life, and contact with your being throughout the madness. He believes that going toschool for some consumers can change the quality and direction of their life.
On a positive note Self-help Groups are effective and beneficial for consumers. It can give them that spark to make the transition to the next level in their life.
We need to teach responsibility and independence through workshops and education for our clients, so they can make decisions for their own lives. In fact, volunteer work is a start, consumers working with consumers whether volunteer or paid positions. It was indeed a pleasure attending this meeting, you could feel the human touch and a common bond throughout the meeting. Andrew tells it from the heart.