In the wake of tragedies like the shooting in Newtown, people debate alternatives to how we care for people living with a mental illness. How we react to these tragedies can either support those living with a mental illness, or further stigmatize and perpetuate negative images of individuals suffering with a mental condition. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness about the recovery movement in mental health, and that many of our friends and neighbors are in mental health recovery. VOCAL Virginia is a nonprofit that is comprised of people who are in recovery from a mental health condition, and they help people recognize that a mental health diagnosis does not mean the end, but rather a key to how to move forward with treatment, recover, and be a fully productive member of the community. Bonnie Neighbour, Network Director for VOCAL, with talk about VOCAL's work, and share her own personal story of recovery. For more information, visit http://www.vocalvirginia.org/.
