Have you ever been in a gathering where you could pretty much say what word was going to come out of the next persons mouth, I have and they happened May 8th and May 9th, this week.
I've attended two events this week, the first was on Wednesday May 8th, 2013 called
Equality Care, presented by
Rainbow Heights Club, their third conference. "Over 300 mental health providers gather for the free one-day conference to develop skills and discuss updated policy so that their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender mental health consumers could be better served."
One session I wanted to sit in on was:
Providing effective and affirming services to LGBT clients with mental health diagnoses who also have substance abuse and/or alcoholism problems. Presented by
Antonio Ruberto, Jr., LCSW, CASAC and Daisy Boyd, LMSW. This workshop will offer care providers in mainstream settings an understanding of how to support all aspects of clients’ recovery.
At the beginning of the session the presenter asked for a show of hands of who's who and I paused and waited til they said anyone else at which I raised my hand and said a consumer, Antonio said nice to see you hear, I hadn't seen him in over six years.
I watched the slides, the studies, findings, they talked about substance abuse, mental health, on meth, housing, stigma, HIV, in short they were talking about me, I was one of the statistics and I at times got teary eyed.
Questions were being asked about Crystal Meth, and I raised my hand, stood up and said hello, my name is Stephen Puibello, I identify as a Gay man, living with HIV and Bipolar Disorder, in recovery 7 plus years minus two relapses, I mentioned I was working part-time, that I live in public housing, and then thanked the panel and the audience of mental health providers letting them know that all you are learning today, all that you do in the community works as I'm proof of that. I also added that I was awarded a SAMHSA 2013 Voice Award Fellowship and wanted to share my story. The applause from the crowd got me ready for the next day's event, that being
Is This My Beautiful Life? Perspectives from Survivors of the AIDS Generation
This evenings event started with a clip of the movie
How to Survive a Plague ,"HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE is the story of two coalitions—ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group)—whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time. With unfettered access to a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage from the 1980s and '90s, filmmaker David France puts the viewer smack in the middle of the controversial actions, the heated meetings, the heartbreaking failures, and the exultant breakthroughs of heroes in the making."
I watched this alone in my studio, you see I isolate as a way to stay sober but also because I feel okay when I'm by myself, when I'm outside as a dual diagnosed HIV+ and Bipolar man I feel out of joint, disconnected from my gay community, anyway I watched it alone and was in amazement. I had know of ACT UP and TAG, what they did, but not the history, the people, the faces, live footage and tonight I well some of the very first activist were on hand to talk with the community, I read this in an article in POZ Magazine written my
Carly Sommerstein long time friend of
Spencer Cox who died last December. I went was because I read the "
community discussion was on improving the mental health of AIDS survivors.
Again I heard talk from the panel, and from the audience on Crystal Meth, Isolation, Mental Health, words like co-morbid, suicide, people spoke about this being an election year in NYC and good time ACT UP, everyone panelists and audience and those who wanted to be heard, it was moving, for me it was the first time I heard mental illness being spoken about from others.
I waited, I said I have no questions as I'm here as a Mental Health Consumer, dual diagnosed both HIV and Bipolar and that I have resources to offer. I spoke about organizations like
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance and
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, I said all any of us have to do is start an affiliate, submit the paperwork and you now are part of a program that is Peer 2 Peer based, offers monthly talks, fellowship. I also pointed out what the community is missing are
Double Trouble in Recovery 12 Step Programs. I added my experience when I first went to a CMA meeting, after weeks of getting the nerve up to ask for a sponsor I was told, "go deal with your Bipolar first and then come back."
I went there like I did the day before to share my story and to be able to offer my self, my story and resources for the all HIV+ and AIDS long term survivors with mental health concerns. I added that there are 11,000 GLBT mental health consumers in NYC alone.
I wanted to say it, but forgot. Spencer your activism lives on, I felt you in Mason Hall tonight, RIP.
RESOURCES:
Callen-Lorde
Callen-Lorde Mental Health Services
For patients receiving medical care at Callen-Lorde, our Mental Health and Social Services Department offers individual and group counseling to support your emotional and physical well-being. Callen-Lorde is committed to providing services that are affirmative, sex-positive, culturally sensitive, consistent with risk reduction principles, and that promote patient self-determination.
Friends In Deed
Friends In Deed is a crisis center providing emotional and spiritual support for anyone with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, cancer or other life-threatening physical illnesses… any caregivers, family and friends of those who are ill… and anyone dealing with grief and bereavement. All of our services are free of charge.
GMHC
GMHC - Team 119 Mental Health Services
Rainbow Heights Club
Rainbow Heights Club, located in Brooklyn, New York, is an advocacy program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender consumers requiring mental health services. We provide socialization, support, peer advocacy, and a safe place to take the next step on your road to emotional recovery and wellness.