Best of 2011 & Using Your Voice in 2012

Happy New Year!

Let’s rap a little about Mental Health Talk in 2011 and get down-and-dirty with what 2012 is going to look like… and I am inviting you to give your input along the way!

My vision for 2012…

2011 was our first year, and for me, it was a great year with Mental Health Talk:

I found my tribe;
I made new friends;
Received enormous love and support from old friends–one friend tirelessly tweeted and promoted the blog and the Matt Watts interview to people who I never dreamed would land here;
Did my first live presentation in 5 years to pitch the blog (and I did not faint!)
And ruffled a few feathers along the way.

Now on to what I envision for 2012:

Re-branding of the web site. Nothing too drastic, I promise. There is nothing more frustrating then to visit a web site where you are used to where everything is and then have it all changed!

I want to add a little bit more colour, rearrange the layout a bit, change-up the content, make it less and less about me, and…

enhance the logo to include butterflies (like the one in the image above–minus the party hat of course!)

When I was thinking how I wanted to introduce the blog via video, I had a vision of butterflies done in tribal art. I thought: butterflies? Aren’t they kinda girlie?

It wasn’t until after my vision that I stumbled upon the symbolism:

Butterflies often represent:
- rebirth
- renewal
- perseverance
- rejuvenation
- the soul
Tribal often represent:
- a person’s identification with a cultural heritage, belief, or practice.
- an allegiance to a specific social group or culture.
Celtic cultures consider butterflies to represent rebirth and growth. Since butterfly larvae transform within the cocoon and emerge as a beautiful creature people who have gone through tough times and emerged better and stronger.

The symbolism represented exactly how I felt this year and aligned with what I believe and want to express perfectly.

So I went with the butterflies and you will start to see them popping up on the site and in the newsletter in the months to come.

Venturing into video. Yep, I am going to attempt to become the Mental Health Talk video personality (let’s hope I don’t suck!) I will be doing video Superhero interviews and adding it as an option to the guest blogging process (to do a video interview or a vlog–we will figure out a way to edit the video if the Superhero wishes to remain anonymous). I am also starting a YouTube channel to help promote your stories and drive more people to the blog.

Increase traffic to the site. This year I will be focusing on getting more hits on the site. I feel deeply committed to getting as many visitors as I can to Mental Health Talk so that our stories are read, our wisdom is heard, and we have the opportunity to help others feel less alone, misunderstood and lost. I will be doing this through the YouTube Channel, guest blogging, and PR (my intention is media exposure).

New Partnership in 2012 (Most exciting!)

I am in dire need of Superhero guest bloggers. Recruiting is taking so much of my time that I am not getting the chance to do the promotion I want to do for the site. So I thought if I can’t get people with mental health experience to come to me, I will go to them.

In December 2011, I pitched a project to the Krasman Centre.

The Krasman Centre is a community mental health drop-in centre, with locations in Richmond Hill and Alliston Ontario. It is an organization that is governed, led and staffed by consumer/survivors and family members. They work with consumer/survivors and families to improve lives through information and education, self-help, mutual support and partnership. They promote wellness and recovery, and foster supports to help people stay well.

I really dig what the Krasman Centre is doing and it was my intention to create the opportunity to work with them.

I proposed that starting in April, they will become a regular contributor to Mental Health Talk. I would volunteer one-on-one with the storytellers to support them in telling their stories and sharing their wisdom on this blog.

I decided to draw my presentation instead of using bullet points in PowerPoint. I gave everyone at the presentation two 13×19 pieces of paper.

I would like to share one of these pages with you here:

superheroes

(I’m the one in the glasses… I kind of look like ET if ET were human and had big hair!)

Well the day following my pitch, I heard from the Executive Director giving me a “yay” (versus a “nay”) on moving forward with my proposed project. Yippee!

I am very excited to be working with this group of people. My peeps.

Your feedback is priceless to me

First of all, I want to invite you to use the comments below to give your feedback on Mental Health Talk version 2011.

What type of posts were most helpful?
Is there a different format that would encourage you to read the post?
Is the current bi-weekly newsletter format the best way to help you decide if the post is applicable to you?
What didn’t you like about your visits to Mental Health Talk?

And if I also may invite you to use the comments below to give your feedback on Mental Health Talk version 2012.

What are your expectations for Mental Health Talk in the future?
What can I do to make Mental Health Talk a better experience for you?
Is there a topic you would like to see a personal story about?
Any suggestions/enhancements to my vision for 2012?

If you don’t feel comfortable with leaving your feedback in the comments, please do not hesitate to email me at trish@mentalhealthtalk.info.

I want to hear it all because truthfully, sometimes I try something new and have no idea what kind of impact it is going to have on the Mental Health Talk community.

I do know that it is my intention this year and in the years to come to create an experience for my subscribers and readers that just gets better and better.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your feedback.

Want to be a Superhero?

I had a great time working with the Superhero guest bloggers and I learned something about myself from each of them.

As the year progressed, I found that I began to attract more and more Superheroes who were willing to not only share part of their story, but to share the wisdom they’ve learned so far on their journey.

Awesome!

Last night I was reading one of my favourite books: The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.

The book is in day book format so each day of the year has an entry. Technically I should have been reading the entry for December 31st but in reality, I was reading the entry for October 15.

Regardless, it was the perfect entry to support this post because Mr. Nepo describes beautifully what I advocate for and what I ask of all my guest bloggers:

For to carry the smallest crust of bread or truth that we can offer others always reminds us of two essential facts: that we do no live this life alone, and that no matter the severity of our own circumstance, we have something to give others. The fact of this does not invalidate our pain, but affirms our worth, that even in pain we can be of value.

We all have something to share from our experience with mental health, regardless of where we are in the journey.

Is 2012 your year to share your experience and your wisdom? I would love to work with you as a Superhero guest blogger. You will find the guidelines here.

Wrapping up

Now it’s time to end this post with my gratitude:

Thank YOU.

Thank you to all my Superhero guest bloggers. There would be no blog without you.

Thank you to all my supporters, including my husband who is the technical wizard behind this site and my sounding board. He makes me look good.

Every blog has a “Mom” and this blog is no exception. Thank you to my Mom for reading all the posts, listening to my dreams for this site, and supporting me in the way that only she can (read her post–it is #6 on the list above!)

May I say thank YOU to you again?

Wishing you all the best in 2012.

Love & peace,

Trish

p.s. don’t forget to check out what’s coming up in the months ahead here.

This just in…

[added about 1 1/2 hours after publishing] I just heard that Mental Health Talk is a runner-up for the 2011 TWIM Best New Blog Award! I am truly honoured and thank you to everyone who voted (and spammed Pandora over at TWIM).

Congratulations to all the winners and runner-ups!

Artwork credit: Trish Hurtubise

Comments

Alain

January 1, 2012 at 2:49 pm


Keep up the great work Trish! I love you very much and proud of your achievements this past year! Here ‘s to another awesome year! XoXoXo
- Trish
  
  January 2, 2012 at 9:55 am
  
  
  Thank you pookey bear–for sharing your feelings so publicly on the blog! xoxo
Sahar

January 1, 2012 at 6:26 pm


You’ve accomplished so much in such a short period of time! I think it’s amazing!! I can’t wait to read more of the guest blogs, especially through your new partnership. Congrats on receiving runner up and happy new year! 🙂
- Trish
  
  January 2, 2012 at 9:57 am
  
  
  It’s funny but I would say I haven’t done enough. So I thank you for putting into perspective how much has been accomplished since February 2011. You were a part of that too–congrats on your article being #1 on the Top 10 for 2011!
MOM

January 3, 2012 at 9:31 am


Trish, of course I had to comment. As usual it was very well written with lots of humour. My job is to support you which is very easy. You are the one that does all the work and very well done .Lots af baby steps taken this year and even a giant step. I am sure lots more for next year.
Looking forward to another succsessful year. LOVE YOU MOM.
- Trish
  
  January 3, 2012 at 9:45 am
  
  
  Thanks Mom! xoxo
My Mercurial Nature

January 3, 2012 at 5:08 pm


I cannot comment on how things worked here in 2011, as I just happened upon this blog (skipping through other blogs). I will most certainly be watching and participating where I can, as I think the direction you’re looking to take the blog is a positive one for mental health.
- Trish
  
  January 4, 2012 at 9:57 am
  
  
  Welcome My Mercurial Nature! It’s nice to see you here as well as on twitter. Thank you for your feedback on your first impression of the blog. I am looking forward to hearing from you again.
The Bipolar Project

January 4, 2012 at 2:00 am


Hi Trish,

Congratulations on all the wonderful news. You definitely deserve it! Mental Health Talk Info is a valuable website with a lot to offer it’s readers. I am so pleased I came across your site, and am incredibly excited about all the wonderful developments for the coming year. I am honoured I can be a part of the superhero guest blogging process in 2012 and hope that I will do you proud. You are an exceptional woman doing exceptional work!

Much love,
Sara
xxxx
- Trish
  
  January 4, 2012 at 10:16 am
  
  
  Sara!!!! Thank you for your wonderful comment–you always make my day! I am already so proud of you (look how far you have come in 2011!) and honoured to have you as a part of the Mental Health Talk community. And deeply grateful to call you my friend.
Mark

January 4, 2012 at 10:55 am


Happy New Year, Trish.

Congrats and Thank You for this site. It has been a healing experience both to read and to contribute here.

I love the symbolism of the tribal butterfly! It is very, very positive and supportive, which is exactly my impression of Mental Health Talk, so the imagery is a perfect fit. Thank you also for the quote from Mark Nepo. This motivation comes through in what you do and what many of your contributors have written, and is an inspiration for me.

I will email you a more detailed response to your specific questions, but for know I just want to echo what others have said: you have accomplished a great deal in a short time, which I hope encourages you in 2012.
- Trish
  
  January 4, 2012 at 11:14 am
  
  
  Mark you have such a way with words that I am truly feel affirmed by your comment that my message is getting through to others. Thank you for your support this year and a big CONGRATS on being the writer of one of the Top 10 posts of 2011! I look forward to receiving your email.
Barbara Daoust

January 4, 2012 at 1:16 pm


Hi Trish,

Congratulations on all your successes! You have accomplished so much in so little time. I am inspired by your intentions, your focus, and your desire to create a community for mental health conversation. The universe responds to clarity with clarity. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and hit each target along the way. I too, am inspired by butterflies. The front cover of my book, “True Love, True Self”, coming out next month, has a butterfly on it. To me, it represents transformation and embracing change as an opportunity for greatness. Here’s to discovering every opportunity we can to ‘feel’ into our greatness! Have a transformative year!
Trish

January 5, 2012 at 1:09 pm


Thank you Barbara for your kind words and motivation. I look forward to your book.
Earla Dunbar

March 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm


Trish, I love your site. My logo for my support group is a butterfly for the obvious reasons but I love how you explained it.

thanks so much
- Trish
  
  March 18, 2012 at 8:56 am
  
  
  Thank you Earla. Your opinion means a lot to me. Yes, I have noticed the butterfly is used quite often… for me I had a vision of butterflies when I was thinking about how I wanted to introduce MHT in video format and then we started using them around this site to add a bit of colour and interest. I drew the butterfly myself–my vision was of a tribal butterfly.