Welcome...
Submitted by Icarus Project on Thu, 09/13/2007 - 9:46pmWelcome to Icarus
The Icarus Project is creating a new culture and language that resonates with our actual experiences of madness and “mental illness” rather than trying to fit our lives into a conventional framework.
We are a website community, support network of local and campus groups, and media project created by and for people living with dangerous gifts that are commonly diagnosed and labeled as "mental illnesses." We believe that when we learn to take care of ourselves, the intertwined threads of madness and creativity can be tools of inspiration and hope in a repressed and damaged world. Our goal is to help people like ourselves feel less alienated, and to allow us—both as individuals and as a community—to tap into the true potential that lies between brilliance and madness. (Read about our vision and goals.)
We hope that this site provokes you to think, supports you to heal, and inspires you to collaborate. So please — submit your writing, art, and photos; add your thoughts to our discussion forums; suggest links and resources; recommend health care providers; and don’t hesitate to join in with this project. If these efforts are helpful to you, remember that we are non-profit and entirely donation driven; your financial contributions keep us going. And for latest news and info, check out the Icarus organizational blog.
We also hope the site helps you to connect. There is a growing network of radical mental health groups across the US and beyond who are exploring extreme states of consciousness outside the conventional maps of disease and disorder. And if a group doesn't yet exist in your area, we're here to help you get it started.
This is the third, latest version of our website, lovingly migrated to the Drupal open source platform by Icarus staff and a team of devoted web design volunteers. If you need help getting around, take a look at our How To Guide. We’re still getting the bugs out, adding features, and tightening up the site organization -- and we need your help. Please feel free to ask questions, send us suggestions, and alert us to any site problems. Email us admin(at)theicarusproject (dot)net and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
oh i also wanted to say
oh i also wanted to say here. we are not all "anti-meds" here either. many are, but maybe at least half the people here take meds and are supported. some are doing an integrative approach. we just want to make things better and for people to have more choices and not be abused by the mental health system and mistreated anymore. we are for human and civil rights and the way to find what works best for each of us, because we all are very different in how we need to heal in some ways, tho we find a lot of common ground.
peace, nancy
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
--Buddha
Just want to say, in case
Just want to say, in case anyone did not notice, we are RADICAL here. Radical is not a bad word. Things radically wrong require a radical approach. If you agree with the mainstream demonization of what radical is, then you may not like this place. Welcome to new people. Don't be scared of what is radical. It is natural, like a tree roots. If that does not fit with you, well don't try to change this place for what it is, because it is not going to change the course it's on. It is growing always, welcoming new ideas, but definitely very radical. It \has radical roots and it is growing up even more. It is part of a broader movement too. We are everywhere. It is good for us here, and we don't like excluding anyone at all, but don't come in and be insulting and disrespectful to my friends. I just felt I had to say that lately. We do a lot of healing here this way, and in the groups offline too. A lot of good things we all do here. Blessings, Nancy
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
--Buddha
Red Dye #40 (COAL TAR) and ADHD OCD AND ODD
Hello there folks.
I am mad at the way the food industry introduces toxic ingredients such as Red Dye#40 (coal tar) into everything we eat and then we are labeled as mental when our bodies start crying out for help.
Red Dye #40 is one of those indefensible food additives that have been banned in more sensible countries, in particular because of its harmful effects in children.
Look for it in pink and red juices, red m&ms and even foods you wouldn't expect such as waffles.
It has been linked to the growth of tumors, irritability and allergies. In children some diagnoses of ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder and oppositional defiance disorder have been linked to food additives such as Red dye#40 in the diet.
In Maryland they are trying to ban a list of toxic food additives (including red dye #40,) and label them until they are fully banned. They are also proposing to ban them in school foods.
hospitalization
cosette
I am new to this site. i am looking for advice. We recently moved to the San Francisco Bay area because my boyfriend took a new job. He took the job with the understanding he would be able to work from home. His first week on the job they told him he would have to commute 45 minutes to be at work by 8:00AM. The move along with the stress of a new job and the commuting has caused him to become very ill. Rapid cycling, mixed states, suicidal ideation and off his meds. When he is lucid he agrees that he needs to be hospitalized but is afraid of losing his job. After disclosing at work, his workplace has become hostile and he is afraid he will damage his career. Any advice would be most appreciated.
discussion boards
hello, i'm having trouble accessing the discussion boards, when i click on the "register" link it says i'm not authorized. if someone could please help i'd appreciate it, my email address is brassygrrl@hotmail.com. Thanks!
I step out on hope, but
I step out on hope, but sometimes I fear quicksand...