Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com welcomes as a guest
Sheryl J. Stevens, author of Operation Soul Recovery (from the default purpose ).
Sheryl Good afternoon and thank you for agreeing to participate in our conversation.
norm:
Sheryl, can you tell our readers something about yourself and what motivated you to write Operation Soul Recovery (from the default purpose )?
Sheryl
Throughout my life I was faced with mental illness in many different levels, including my parents and other family members.
Although it was never discussed, their quiet desperation is kept indoors from time to time clear, although from the outside, they were able to lead an honorable, hard-working life.
a stable nurturing environment of the whole community seemed to wield anything bad or uncomfortable. So my childhood was one of satisfaction, when I left that part of my life. After that, I also struggled with anxiety and depression, seeking help from many sources, but failed to find.
There was no choice other than learning how to live with conflicts, and expand your knowledge about the disease.
When my youngest daughter was 14, her battle with depression began. This is manifested first as bulimia, then escalating to other addictions and destructive behaviors, including numerous suicide attempts.
During a period of 20 years, she also sought help from all that is available - the countless patients and out-patient treatments, anti-depressants, counseling, 12-step programs, religious experiences, with no lasting results.
During Kelly's struggles, my desire to understand the confusing power of addiction and mental illness has intensified. Pain in many forms, is becoming a driving force for the sequel, which led to realizing that my daughter was far from an isolated case in the failure to find effective treatment. In fact, millions are struggling in despair of the "system" with no end in sight.
At one point in the process I have witnessed the extra-ordinary vision. It was filled with many of my own learning experiences, including a number of parallels gentle farm community. Now I understand the wisdom far beyond my awareness that it is all clearly came into focus. Amazing, but basically, it's a phenomenon that I knew for some can heal hearts and minds of desperate people everywhere.
Although it is difficult to put pictures in words that others will understand, I felt compelled to find a way to describe it. I finally managed. After that, the vision has become a central motivation for writing the book.
norm:
What challenges or obstacles you encounter while writing your books?
Sheryl
Gathering my thoughts are often a challenge in itself, but writing has always been my best way of expression. In this case the subject is at times very emotionally exhausting, trying to find words that best describe the different ideas I felt were important.
the biggest obstacle I faced was the fear that the book will be rejected. What I noticed during my trip is that most people are afraid even to think "outside the box", although some of the best things in life are beyond all rigid confinements. And this book is definitely outside the box.
majority was actually written before the 11th September, but I allowed the fear of failure that kept me from finishing it until that moment, twitching, which has become my determination to finish the book. I realized that I lived way too much of my life trying to please people, like crumbs of love are better than nothing at all. But it's not worked well. I knew it was time to face the fear and write straight from the heart.
norm:
How do you plan to market your book and has a specific target audience you want?
Sheryl
So now I play it by ear, sending press releases through a distribution service, as well as using them as promotional material I have personally sent an e-mail or other potential sources and individuals.
One of my next projects will be sending an e-mail, together with the latest news release (April 21) to 40 + members of Congress to find out what their response or the level of support can be provided, if any.
Getting reviews is another task. I've now got a few five-star hotel, which is very encouraging. The book has also entered into three different categories of the 2005 Nautilus Book Awards in New York, 2nd June
I have recently ordered John Kremer's book 1001 ways to market their books. I'm new at this and need all the good advice they can get.
To classify the audience is a little difficult - perhaps mental health professionals, religious / spiritual leaders and followers, a nonprofit organization
.But most of the dreamers, the visionaries, those who think big, bold challenges, and are passionate about changing our troubled world. The question is, where to find them? I might add that the operation Soul Recovery is also in progress is established as a nonprofit organization.
norm:
I once asked a relative of mine who is a psychiatrist, which in its evaluation of the biggest advances in the treatment of mental illness? His answer was an invention for a tranquilizer. Would you like to comment?
Sheryl
Personally, I've tried many anti-anxiety and anti-depressants over the years, but found the side effects have been much worse than dealing with negative feelings without drugs.
I also watched my daughter under medical care and prescription passing through a terrible experience, while on certain medications.
However, currently located at 6 different species, making a total of up to something useful. Although over time, one or more of them lose their impact, and then its back to square one again, trying to find a balance.
I admit that some people do not benefit from certain drug therapies, but it seems that there is not, or at least do not find lasting success. I'm most worried about the extreme cases, such as Andrea Yates who killed five children, and Christopher Pittman, 12-year-old who killed his grandfather and grandmother. Both were afflicted with mental disorders, even though they committed the crimes were completely out of character for their personality. Also, both were under the influence of antidepressants for quite some time before, during and incidents.
Who will ever know what part drugs played in this tragedy, and countless others we never hear about? Perhaps because the power of drug companies (and the rest of the system) will never let it be known?
Another consideration is that Americans are known for being impatient, pill-popping society. We want a quick fix for everything from headaches to depression, not to mention thousands of other advertisements that promise to make our lives better. So we believe them and buy them because we are gullible. When it comes to mental and emotional disorders seems to be a 'miracle drug' in most cases, simply dealing with symptoms rather than causes.
Furthermore, if the pills really magic cure, why mental illness is steadily rising at shocking levels, while the use of antidepressants has tripled in the last ten years? However, while complete transformation in the treatment of disorders of the mind and spirit, there will be those who actually need them, and those who at least believe they have found refuge in them.
norm:
Do you have statistics as a percentage of individuals in the U.S. who suffer from one kind or another mental illness?
Sheryl
According to the National Mental Health Association, nearly 20% of Americans are indeed suffering from some form of mental illness.
Indeed, mental disorders are more common today than cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Because of the hidden nature of these diseases, we can only imagine that those people who are in denial, the percentage would be considerably higher.
Also, the National Center on Workforce and Disability confirms that mental illness is fast becoming the leading cause of disability. NMHA recent survey of women showed that women found depression to be greater barriers to professional success than other barriers, such as child and elder care responsibilities, pregnancy and sexual harassment.
Other NMHA survey said that the U.S. loses $ 113 billion a year from untreated and mistreated mental illness. These are just some of the grim statistics.
norm:
What do you think are the most evident shortcomings of the health system in the U.S. treatment of mental illness?
Sheryl
I think that the core weaknesses in the system boils down to lack of funds and resources available for getting proper treatment.
The vast majority of those who suffer from addiction and / or mental illness can not afford the high cost of psychotherapy, medications and more prominent treatment centers who have a higher success rate.
If the people in need are lucky enough to even have insurance, but many do not, insurance companies have largely not want to bear the burden as they do in physical ailments, that a refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of these disorders are deserving .
Next is the ability to meet the criteria for government assistance, which automatically turns off another great group of people whose options have suddenly become nothing. So the rest, who were rewarded in terms of owning anything, they can reap some benefit at the mercy of the state.
The problem is that funding for these programs (treatment centers, and out-patient therapy) is constantly being lowered and weakened the political power of ignorance, until these additional funds have significantly lost their effectiveness.
Because of the huge overload of needy people and understaffed, underpaid workers in these facilities, the chances of getting the kind of treatment required for a successful recovery is quite awesome.
Therefore, a large number of those who fall into the latter category will remain locked in the system can not find the help they need, which can not move forward with their lives. Seemingly oblivious to the situation of the whole situation, they still go back to therapy many times over, only too often to reinforce the ever mounting failure syndrome, believing that it is their fault, when it probably is not.
I talked to a mental health counselor, since writing the book, which are in total agreement with a grade of 'system' as I see it, if not more. They are the ones who on a daily basis, are faced with overwhelming poverty of the people, and are very aware of the little time they were able to each individual. They feel as if their hands are tied, a combustion period for them also becomes shorter because of the depressed state.
the whole system, as it is, it seems like a waste of everyone's time and money, along with proof that a second rate health care, or none at all is far more expensive than the first rate. Surely this is the case in the treatment of mental illness.
norm:
What is the reward for you in writing your book?
Sheryl
the highest award in writing the book was able to create an expression on a topic that has been burned in my heart for decades, just like putting together many pieces of the puzzle.
For so many years, what seemed like millions of thoughts and feelings churning around inside the water, to the point I was sure they could ever be separated.
Although the book reflects not only highlights what I feel, it was enough to relieve the pressure of trying to contain the passion. Furthermore, it is not quantity of words in each concept that is important for me, but that many ideas are brought to light. Until finally I could easily say: "I've done my best - the picture is finished!" However challenging, the reward is immeasurable.
norm:
Did you use the internet in their research, and whether you use the internet to promote your book?
Sheryl
Yes, I use the Internet to research, although my computer skills are somewhat limited and can not find an overwhelming amount of information that would be pretty daunting at times.
I often watch Larry King Live on CNN and other shows like Oprah that are relevant to my interests, where I obtained many excellent sources of information from a variety of guests. Most of them have websites, which I usually refer to later.
I also read lots of books (or used to that), and I'm an avid people watcher and listener. Learning is everywhere we turn in this day and age. I now spend much time on the Internet promoting my books in one way or another, always looking for new methods and ideas.
norm:
Are there any other ideas or thoughts that you want to share with our audience that you have not been covered?
Sheryl
The book is just the beginning of the award I hope to see them. His goal is not self-help book of ideas to be implemented here and there, nor is it meant to be just a story about her daughter, or about me and my beliefs to draw sympathy for either one of us, nor is it intended to simply bash a lot of current attitudes and system as a civil right to liberty, to end there. Instead it is an easy call for attention and action on a huge problem with the hope a solution.
I think that is the key to treating mental illness as primarily getting back to basics, which consists of many factors, including the reconnection of the inner child is where our best resources are located. Without this foundation there is nothing to build on the firm.
I've been blessed in countless ways for which I am most grateful, and decided to share a small portion of them in the book. I also thought to emphasize that safe and secure childhood is no guarantee that we will live happily ever after. That has not happened to me, but it is still a constant source of strength
I believe God sometimes allows us to wander in the desert of human suffering, in order for a higher purpose to be achieved. In this case it does not matter who I was, only that "Any ideas constantly held before the mind has come into existence." Still Vision can not express the reality of their own witnesses, no matter how passionate.
I am well aware of its limitations, is also power. It will take a lot of opportunities, influential, visionary, much prayer and careful organization, and more volunteers to strengthen the plan in existence. Would it be worth? Absolutely! America desperately needs this place, at the end of each locality. My hope and prayer that this little book will begin to ignite a forest fire that is unstoppable!
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