The discussion on the «Bipolar NOS» thread inspired me to google Mary Ann Copeland. I did that because that discussion made me think about how important it is to not be too hung up in diagnoses and then forget about the unique person behind the diagnose. Diagnoses can be a stigma and there is still a long way to go before people without diagnoses are ready to accept people with diagnoses. Even professional people inside the Mental Health System do sometimes still have prejudices against us. (Not that the discussion I refer to (the "Bipolar NOS" thread) had any hints about that the person behind the diagnose wasn't important. It just made me think more).

I have read articles by Mary Ellen Copeland before and admires what she has done. She is the daughter of a mother with Mania. Mary Ann Copeland was herself hospitalized with Manic Depression and was told that she could not recover. To make a long story short, she had her «feeling well moment», found her own way and then started to gather stories from other persons with Mental Disorders and what it was that had helped them. So she made a study and based upon these stories she developed her WRAP; that is «Wellness Recovery Action Plan».

On the WRAP website we can read:

«Discover your own simple, safe Wellness Tools

• Develop a list of things to do every day to stay as well as possible
• Identify upsetting events, early warning signs and signs that things have gotten much worse and, using Wellness Tools, develop action plans for responding at these times
• Guide you through the process of developing a Crisis Plan or Advance Directive
• Introduce you to Post Crisis Planning

WRAP is for anyone, any time. It will support you in being the way you want to be and doing the things you want to do."

“When the group developed WRAP, I was so impressed that I went home and wrote one for myself. As I began to live WRAP, my life changed dramatically. Over time I felt better and better and better. WRAP is a way of life for me—a great life.” Mary Ellen Copeland.

I think that that view: «... a way of life for me-a great life» is a beautiful and respectful way of expressing that we all are unique and valuable and that we learn to cope with our problems as we walk.

If anyone of you need inspiration, google her articles or take your time to view her at Youtube. It might inspire you to keep going ...

Good wishes to all (myself included )!

Thanks for sharing! Wonderful information.

"Even professional people inside the Mental Health System do sometimes still have prejudices against us."

^ I agree with that. The people who should be helping us the most (considering we're paying them loads of money!) are sometimes our worst enemies. It's a crying shame. We can never escape the stigma.

[Wild Coyote]

Thanks so much for sharing this!
I truly appreciate the time and effort you've put into sharing.

WC

Yes, you are right, bluebicycle! Some of the persons inside the system who should have been our helpers are not! We must hope that when all the very old doctors are shifted out, younger ones with new and more modern thoughts will do it in a better way. BUT, and there is a 'but', we can never prevent that persons with authoritarian traits will become doctors. I hope that does not frighten people who are new to Mental Disorders. If they go to therapy and feel that the/those persons treating them behave like 'one up/one down', and have tried to communicate how they feel and have not been taken seriously, it's time to find a new therapist ... There are lots of good ones as well.

[Nammu]

The key to WRAP is self awareness and self desire to heal, no magic pill or person from the outside of us can make nearly as much difference as we ourselves can make.

[Sunflower123]

Thanks for sharing this information. I will be researching it. Best wishes.

Originally Posted by Nammu

no magic pill or person from the outside of us can make nearly as much difference as we ourselves can make.

Agree! If the illness is treatable, the one who has to do the most is the one who search treatment, ourselves, as you say.

[Unrigged64072835]

Thank you for sharing!

By the way, I found this link to the Copeland Center:

https://copelandcenter.com/

[HALLIEBETH87]

I was trained in how to do the WRAP at peer support training. Good stuff

[wildflowerchild25]

I believe nami offers WRAP courses at some locations.

[Crook32]

A PHP I went to used WRAP.

[Wild Coyote]

A BIT

Ms. Copeland has also authored a comprehensive book on Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Trigger Points., just FYI. We have several members on this forum living with FMS. (I am one of them.)


WC

[Miss Laura]

I have a WRAP. Did it with my Peer Support Worker and find it useful. Think everyone should have one :-)