Newspaper Page Text
Hans-Peter Dietrich, a member of the
Board of Directors for the Mental Health As
sociation of Northeast Georgia, has put to
gether the 5th Annual Mental Health Benefit.
The events began Jan. 28 with an art show
opening at the Globe. Feb. 3, Fuzzy Sprouts,
Hazel Virtue and Asa Nisi Masa and special
guests will perform at the 40 Watt. Feb. 4,
Hayride, Germans and Five-Eight with spe
cial guests will play at the 40 Watt and the
whole event ends with the benefit art auc
tion of donated works at the Globe Feb. 11,
beginning at 5 p.m.
Here are testimonials of several of Ath
ens' musicians who have been involved with
mental health issues locally We hope their
advice and stories will aid anyone who may
be considering mental health issues for
themselves.
Hillary Meister
Uu Maj*rsky
Some common aspects of depression in
clude lack of energy and feelings of worth
lessness. These feelings can make it hard
to actively seek out help when you need it.
Sometimes it's best to confide in a person
you trust to make the initial phone calls to
mental health professionals.
It’s important not to give up on treatment
if the first therapist you consult doesn't suit
you. It’s a very personal relationship, and you
have to look for someone you feel you “click"
with — it’s a little like dating. I. myself, would
advise avoiding therapists with religious,
New Age or occult leanings — you just want
someone who can help you live sanely in the
real world.
Also, if you need medication, don’t be
discouraged if the first one you try doesn't
help or gives you unacceptable side effects.
Psychopharmacology is an inexact science
at best, and you must be willing to work with
your doctor to find the right dosage, type or
combination of medicines.
Self-medicating ’with street drugs is a very
bad idea. Modern anti-depressants work in
a very specific and helpful way in the brain,
and lack the very dangerous side effects of
cocaine, heroin, or excessive alcohol and
pot.
Mental illness is neither shameful nor ro
mantic. It’s an illness that needs medical
treatment, and your life is important.
I highly recommend the Northeast Geor
gia Mental Health Clinic and the Center for
Personal Counseling at Aderhold Hall on
campus. They’re both available to the pub
lic and feature a sliding scale for payment.
Mik« Mantlon*-Hoim«s (Ftv«-Elght)
It’s the first week in February and it’s time
for the 5th Annual Mental Health Benefit. Five-
Eight has played each of the last four ben
efits, and I feel a personal commitment to the
cause.
I play the benefit for three reasons: to raise
money for the cause, to help remove the
stigma attached to the mentally ill, and to
vainly showcase the songs I've written about
being confronted with mental illness.
I remember the power I felt when I first
put down in song the feelings I had about
depression. It was power in the admission,
and there was power in the singing of my own
battle. I take it for granted that writing and
singing songs about my problems and
struggles with mental illness has saved my
life. I also take for granted that if I never went
into therapy honestly and openly I never would
have written any of those songs.
I remember what got me into therapy each
time. At 16 years old I was in the back seat of
my parents 1969 AMC Rambler station wagon
describing to them the condition of the hole
inside my chest and the pain it was causing
me. At 22 years old I took a five-hour bus ride
home from school after dropping out of all my
classes. By the end of that bus ride I was
convinced I was in hell and that I was the Anti-
Christ. At 24 me and my father sat face to
face in family therapy trying to figure out hon
estly for the first time some very difficult is
sues.
At 26, after moving to Athens, slowly an
other depression began creeping in and once
again I sought help. That was a while ago and
I make this personal revelation to encourage
others to seek help as often as they need it. I
think it takes guts to ask for help. And I also
think it takes guts that I'm happy now and love
the life I have with my wife and family. I en
courage anyone who thinks they need help
to seek it out. In Athens I found an excellent
therapist who works on a sliding fee scale.
Isn't that what this whole Mental Health
Benefit is about anyway? — trying to get
people to crawl out from under the rock of
depression or mental illness — and to listen
to great rock bands like Hayride!
Kemp Jones
Everyone feels beaten down at times and
everyone gets weak sometimes. By the same
token, we can assume we all might benefit
from a little counseling sometimes. It may very
well come by way of a close friend, but if one
is not there, you might want to seek out some
one who specializes in listening and reflect
ing. You can turn thoughts over in your mind
and read "I’ve been there too“ books, and
that’s all good, but there is no substitute for
that back and forth, give and take.
CftbnuuHj, 1, 1995
When I was at UGA, a 1.7 and 1.9 under
my belt, a draft board breathing down my
neck, and broken-hearted over losing my girl
to a guy (for real now) named Steve McQueen,
I needed to let someone know how I felt about
all of that. For whatever reason, I did not turn
to a friend. I rang up the Mental Health De
partment at the University and asked for a
counselor. We talked twice and I liked him,
and it was good to talk it out and get impartial
feedback. ‘And though it’s been said many
times many ways../
‘Everybody’s got something they can’t
hide.
Everybody’s got something on the in
side..."
Eric Britt ft David Hydrick (Haxal Virtue)
At about 10:30 p.m. on March 11,1994...
I choked back the tears over a conversation
with my mother. I fought conversation with my
mother. I fought vigorously to find the words
to relay the day to her. ‘Just tell me what hap
pened, Eric," she smoothed out over 300
miles of telephone wire. The comfort of her
voice made it easier to tell her that the UGA
police had just called my house. The officer
said he had found my friend Paul in the Sci
ence Library. His eyes were rolled back in his
head. He claimed aliens had taken his sight
and was completely out of reality. Paul was
hospitalized for about a month.
Although this was the second break Paul
had experienced, the doctors offered no real
diagnosis. In a period of a few weeks my
friend became himself again. My mother, a
psychiatric nurse, offered possible explana
tions. I wanted an answer. I wondered why
no one could tell me what the hell had hap
pened. Why couldn’t they figure it out?
Advocates of mental health have worked
for decades to provide education and solu
tions for mental conditions and diseases. As
individuals, we can make ourselves, our fam
ily and our friends aware of the problems sur
rounding mental illness by learning about
common disorders. Do you or any one of your
friends have problems with depression, ma
nia or anxiety? There are medications that can
treat most conditions. Lithium, for example,
is a psychiatric drug prescribed frequently for
manic-depression. This natural element has
brought smiles back to thousands affected
by Bipolarism (manic-depression). Have there
been events that traumatized you? There are
counselors involved with the Psychology De
partment at the University of Georgia with
whom you can talk for next to nothing. They
will lend an ear and give advice.
No w Serving Athens
• Ample seating & parking
• Multiple T.V/s
• Live Entertaiment ewed.-sunday)
• Outdoor Patio
• Children’s Menu
And what made us the best is
our food and margaritas,
mode fresh doily.
2455 W. Broad St. • 548-5663
( Next to Howard Johnsons)
/tthewi lin&U a&met Salad fla/u,
Jiol baked Polaioei., Wa/un Soup.,
and Jfoutemade Mujjmi.
229 E. Broad -208-8286