Words Are Hard 2024

Words Are Hard was originally published as photo essay in January 2021, for people who deal with mental health challenges as well as their families. It was designed to help them overcome the daily stigmas regarding mental illnesses. Using pictures to illustrate my own personal journey the goal is to communicate thoughts that words are just too limited to explain. In May 2022, we started an annual event based on the photo essay as a way to create a discussion centered around increasing the understanding of mental health recovery, showing the differences between mental health vs. mental illness and helping others understand how to better support those who are struggling. This was our 3rd year doing the event and the goal of  was to bring the much needed awareness to the blindness of society regarding the stigma that people living with mental illness face on a daily basis. At the same time, offering suggestions of an approach that identifies people as people and not their diagnosis. The event was recorded live, the video of which will be available on YouTube in the coming weeks, and this is the audio of the discussion we had.  Unfortunately we forgot to take the handheld microphone out into the audience so some of the sound quality may be a little rough in spots but we still wanted to provide those who were not able to make it the opportunity to be a part of the discussion.   If you have questions, would like more information about the Green Phoenix or if you'd like to join me as a guest on a future episode  please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. ⁠Contact Us⁠.