Too often we forget that people that we talk and write about are real people, with real lives and real voices.

Last fall, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a conference that was sponsored by the Department of Mental Health. And while I should not have been, I was surprised by the audience. In my estimation, over half of the invited guests in attendance were people who suffer from mental illness.

Presenter, Dr. Joan Gillece, focused on the correlation between trauma and mental health issues. Her competence and compassionate delivery were very impressive, but I was blown away by her ability to engage with those who posed questions and shared their stories.

Being well versed about their illness, their care and their treatment, they told us what worked for them and how they were able to overcome the obstacles presented by the trauma they had experienced as well as their mental health concerns. I couldn’t help but think of other groups who have been marginalized in our society. They, too, could tell their stories and explain what they need to improve their situations. As an educator, I am thinking particularly about students who underachieve and or drop out of school.

If we’re going to improve the lives of those that we serve and advocate for, we have to work to ensure that their voices are heard and their faces seen.

As I observed those around me and reflected on the good that was done just that day, I was proud, very proud, to be doing the work that I do along with others who have been in this line of work for decades.

Let us hold fewer conferences about the mentally ill, the poor, the underachievers, the students at risk, etc. and include them in the conferences and seminars that are intended to help service providers do better jobs. 

Thank you Mr. Steve Baron for making the invisible visible. Thank you indeed.