stagepromo,

I agree with you.  I was astounded when I heard of Joey's situation as a man who has been in the industry for DECADES with a proven track record and huge fan base!  At work, I would not come forward with my diagnoses, but yes in theory it is illegal to discriminate, HOWEVER, it is also a business' right to chose whom they want to hire, and they don't have to justify it really.  They can always say (especially in these tough times) there are 10 equally great candidates, yada.

It is my firm belief however, and I believe this is where Joey is headed, and where NAMI and other organizations are already promoting ... many brain dis-eases are neurological, they are MEDICAL.  I think in years to come psychiatry will be subsumed under neurology.  In many places it's also called neuropsychiatry.  I am infuriated with the lack of knowledge on my condition -- chronic depersonalization/derealization which comes with migraine, stroke, head trauma, epilepsy, etc.  Not saying I have any of those, but there is obviously a common pathway.

Anyway, I think I hijacked this.  Some of this should be forum discussions? I haven't figured all of this out, lol.

"Mental" yes, is an odd term.  But it separates out mood and cognitive disorders from neurological disorders.  However, I think this next DSM will BE the last DSM.  I am very angry with psychiatry, and have much more faith in neurology.  I believe I have a neurological disorder, though I don't go to a neurologist, I go to a psychiatrist.

Hmmm.

Legally, They're NOT supposed to discriminate against you because of brain disease, but,it's a crapshoot out there now. As Joey himself has described, he sometimes can't get his underwriters so he can work.

And, one other thing is, WE have to quit labelling ourselves as "mentally" anything. We're ill; thats it. "MENTAL" seems to be such an ambiguos term anyway- makes it all seem somewhat ethereal, y'know? (i love the twirly guy!)

Sorry the NAMI link got lost in there: National Alliance on Mental Illness is

http://www.nami.org  Lots is happenng in October - Mental Health Awareness Month.  I hope you have a local NAMI affiliate near you.  There are over 1,000 nationwide, a great place to start, even if you just follow what they're up to and do what you can.  Sometimes that's all I can do, offer something small, but that's all that matters.

Truejeepermom,

I'm 100% with you, and have been participating in things like this as much as possible for many years. It's really been "the age of the internet" that has helped us.  I didn't find I was completely alone with my particular disorder until I was 40 ... I thought I was one of 3 people in the world!

I found Joey through NAMI, the National Alliance On Mental Illness, which does amazing things, and one can participate in many ways at the national, state, and local level.  Check out http://www.nami.org  For instance there is a local Walk-a-Thon near me at the end of September, and a Walk-a-Thon spanning the Mackinac Bridge over Labor Day!  (I can't go, but I bought the T-shirt as support.)

Also, there is an amazing thing happening in October, Mental Health Month -- "Minds on the Edge" -- an active peoples' "town meeting" so to speak on PBS.  It looks awesome.  They are looking for people to submit their own stories of mental illness up on YouTube, and be involved in so many ways.

http://www.mindsontheedge.org/

Also, Joey is such a hero to me as he has done on a grand scale what I have only been able to do through my personal website re: my particular disorder.  But check my Advocacy link.  I have found so many wonderful groups one can participate in, or assist in any way.

http://dreamchild.net/Advocate/advocate.html

Also, Joey holds the key I think -- talking about our issues, showing people we are not "freaks" or "lazy" -- that we have medical disorders/brain dis-ease, that we deserve insurance parity, but most important we do not deserve to be stigmatized in so many different ways.  I have an anxiety disorder and depressioon, so?, I'm still a good person.  Just like saying, "Oh, yeah I have diabetes."

I'm with you.  Have a look at the advocacy groups I've been collecting -- some are specifically related to my illness -- others/many are well-established groups that ARE out there.  So, spread the word as well!

Cheers to all of US, and all of the World -- anyone who is struggling.

Sandy