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Walk My Way The "Walk My Way" Consumer Advocacy Journal was established in response to the high levels of stigma and discrimination that exist around psychiatric disability and to meet the needs of mental health care users, empower them to advocate for themselves and to encourage them to share their daily experiences from their own perspectives.Initiated by Central Gauteng Mental Health Society, the Journal was compiled by contributions from people with psychiatric disability, contributions received through advertisements posted at contact points such as primary health care clinics, the Gordonia Institute for psychosocial rehabilitation, support groups and general libraries. The Journal was put together by a team that comprises a 75% user contingent, designed by a person living with psychiatric disability and is envisaged in time to become completely "user owned". The broader public is encouraged to subscribe to the Journal on an annual basis to contribute to its sustainability as well as to broaden the network of sharing information, raising awareness and hopefully, eradicate stigma and discrimination. "… Current research shows that members of the public are less likely to hire people labelled as mentally ill, less likely to lease them apartments and less likely to freely interact with them." (Reference: Stigma Solutions: Contact and Education: Patric W Corrigan Psy.D). The mentally ill have the freedom to enjoy the same rights as the general South African public namely, freedom of expression, equity, the right to a livelihood, shelter, education and health care. They have the right to human dignity. Only through eradication of stigmatisation can society improve the human rights status and health of the mentally ill. We would like to request that as health care professionals involved with mental health care users to subscribe to the Journal for a long-term period of e.g. 2 – 5 years. The mental health care users that make use of your professional services can read the Journal and through this involvement can share their skills and network with other mental health care users. Thus, your professional services to mental health care users can be broadened. Your annual subscription as a health professional is only R100.00. You also have the opportunity to advertise your services in the Journal at a minimal fee of R100 per business card size advertisement or to sponsor an entire page at R1000 where your details will be displayed at the top and bottom of the page and include a business size advertisement on the back page. These amounts are charged per edition. SPECIAL OFFER! Subscribe now for two years (2008 & 2009) or more, and get a free business card advertising space in the Journal. Attached, please find the "Walk My Way" Journal subscription form. We hope to receive your subscription. Kind regards, CHARLENE SUNKEL PRO: Central Gauteng Mental Health Society Coordinator: The "Walk My Way" Journal Coordinator: The Consumer Advocacy Movement Tel: 011 – 614 9890 Fax: 011 – 614 5503 E-mail: charlene@witsmhs.co.za
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