I just passed my anniversary date of being released from the mental health wing of St. Joe's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The Friday after Thanksgiving of 2008, I entered the ER feeling despondent and severely anxious.  I was feeling financial pressures and my mother was dieing of Alzheimer's. The ER doctor sent me to the mental health wing on a 72-hour hold.  I needed the help, but I also needed to make myself available for more job hunting. 

What was most therapeutic about the experience was the interaction with the other patients.  To help each other in group therapy to reason things out, to enjoy games together, and other sharing was very therapeutic for me.

I do see a psychologist, but one needs also to interact with others, who are going through similar experiences, in a very proactive way.  So, I came up with a collection of proactive techniques to help propel my life forward.  Of course, I can't do this by myself, so I put this project up on the Internet in order to get some input.  I hope this will evolve into a personal growth and recovery network.

Having to struggle so much to get the community resources I needed to heal myself was a very painful journey.  I know there has to be many people out there who are in a similar situation as I.  I know there has to be many others who are struggling to make a life for themselves, but can't qualify for the help they need because of the tools and intelligence they have to keep making it from day to day.

I believe that each of us can't just acquire a psychiatrist  and flow of prescriptions to solve our problems.  We need to form community.  I believe we are all interconnected.  I believe this global recession is not just about economics, and the greedy reckless decisions of few.  I humbly submit that this global recession is a reflection of a collective illness in our societies. 

I also believe that people going through differing journeys can find common ground to help each other to heal and prosper.  I do belong to a 12 step group, which has been very helpful.  However, I think people from different groups meeting together and sharing would be very beneficial and propel the healing and growth communities to greater heights.