217.-friends-make-the-best-medicine.pdf
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Roce hc eer

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P.O. Box 721
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rganizing Gui
We need your collaboration!
This Icarus guide for community support around madness and mental health
is a work in progress. A first draft. We thank all the dangerous and brilliant
madones, the website members, writers, visionaries artists, activists, organiz-
ers, healers, and other Icarus co-conspirators who have offered the compost
that made this first draft grow. Now we are asking everyone to get involved:
send us feedback, ideas, critique, praise, additions, subtractions and multi-
PlicationsWe are.all.experts on our own experience, so collaborate with us
‘on the upcoming, official First Edition, which will have even more content.
Contact support@theicarusproject.net or visit aur website community. Lees
tear down the walls!

Dandelion Visions and Wind-Borne Seeds

Bare ground does not stay tare. dominated society. reaching into the
Tenacious plants called pioneer species fertile underground darkness of madness,
find ways to spread and extend roots and breaking chrough with new inspira-
deep into the earth, providing homes for tion and movements for change.

all kinds of other creatures, and enriching
the sod with their cycles of fe and death,
We are taught to see many of
‘the most common pioneer












species as "weeds:” plants
like the dandelion,
‘whose strong taproot
wcends far below

topsoil to
reach the minerals
hidden in deap,
‘of subsoil The dandelion 5
pulls these minerals up and 'We see this litte book as one
incorporates them into is leaves ‘Way the Icarus Project is sharing
and flowers. When it dies and seeds, releating messages from
decomposes, all che nutrients Iden worlds that just might travel
‘that were locked are {far and wide and to reach and nourish
released, joining the upper layers of Hall the patches of damaged soil. We
soil and making nourishment avaiable Hf hope that by working together with a
tothe next generations of plants, shared vision, we can help keep each

dandelions:
nourishing the depleted soll of corporate and community al over dhe wortd..
Table of

Contents



i Dandelion Visions

2 Underground Roots: Visions for
Resisting Monoculture and Building
Community

6 Breaking Down The Walls
Around Madness and Mental
Illness: A Guide to Organizing Icarus
Groups and Workshops

13 Organizing Public Events

18 Mutual Aid Groups and
Listening Spaces

25 Icarus Toolkit
29 Icarus Project Vision Statement
30 Icarus Gathering Preramble

32 A Glimpse of Icarus Now

33 Contact Icarus


Underground Roots:

Visions for Resisting

Monoculture and Building Community

You can se

all from the highway:
‘enormous monocrops of identical corn
plants that reach for miles bordered by
an endless toa of strip mall parking lots,
and tract housing. You can see it on our
kicchen counters and in our,:g
classrooms: the same can of,

s0di on the table in Cairo

and Kentucky the same

definitions of progress’

and Yreedom’ in textbooks f

around the world, Mono-

culture — the practice of

replicating a singe plant,

product or

huge area— is about the

‘most unstable, unsustain=

able, unimaginative form of

organization that exists, but in the shore
termnit keeps the system running smoothly
and keeps the power in the hands of a
small number of people.


















bn the logic of our modern world, whether
{es in she farmer’ field or in the tigh
school clasroom, diversity is ineficiene and
bard to manage. Powerful people figured
‘out awhile time ago that t's a lot easier to
control things f everyone's eating the same
foods listening to the same music, reading
the same books. warching the same TV
shows, and speaking the same langvage:This
ks what we call the monocult,and while
‘everyone is supposedly more and more
‘connected by this new “global culture



‘we're more and more isolated from each
‘other. Things feel more and more empry,
and so many of us end up lonely and
rootless, wondering why everything feels so

‘Out in the wild
B things are very
different. tn old forests
from the mots and lichens
to the ferns and brambles
to the birds and beetles.
In our hurnan minds we
‘Separate ll the parts of
the forest into separate
pieces when a lot of
the time it can be more helphl to view
the forest 2s one giant organism with
‘Separate parts all working together: The
‘utes ofa forestinterewine ther roots
and actually commuricate with each other
underground. You see it most visibly along
‘wines and creck beds where a cut-away
hi ‘reveals totally asymmetrical tangle
‘of roots that no scientist could ever have
imagined or planned out with ell his laws of
physics Something in chat tangle explains
how those trees can lean out a all kinds of
sravity- defying angles and hang thee necks
into the strongest winds and stil survive,
bending but not breaking, adapting with
tunprediceabie curves and angles to the way
the world breathes ard shines and




7)

‘

ha?

rains and burns. Concrete can't do that There are a lot
Of lessons ta be learned from the way life evolves at
865 stronger in the wild Something about the living
architecture of chaos and time, multi-tiered forests and
‘microscopic algae, outlasts any of the straight lines and
‘square institutions we're told to believe in.

We believe that people do not belong in grids
and boxes of rootless lonely monocultures.
Humans are adaptable creatures, and vile a lot of
people learn to adape rome of us can'handle the
‘modern world no matter how many psych drug: oF
years of school or behavor modification programs
‘we've been put through. Any realistic model of mental
health has to begin by accepting that there is no
standard model for «mind and that none of us are
single units designed for convenience and efficiency. Na
Imatter how alienated you are by the world around you,
‘no matter how out of step or depressed and scare
nected you might feet: you are not alone Your life is:
supported by the ives of countless other beings from
the microbes in your eyelashes to the men who paved
your street. The world is so much more complicated
and beauefl than i-appears on the surtace

There are so many of us out here who feel the
world wich thin skin and heavy hearts, who get
called crazy because we're too full of fire and
Pain, who know that other worlds exist and
aren't comfortable in this version of reality.
We've been busting up out of sidewalks and blooming

all kind of misfit flowers for as long as people have been
‘walking on this Earth. So many of us have access to
secret layers of consciousness — you could think of us
like dandeton roots that gather minerals from hidden
layers of the sod that other plants don’t reach. I we're
lucky we share chem with everyone on the surface
because we feel things stronger than the other people
round us.a loc of us have visions about how things
could be diferent. why they need to be diffrent and

‘ts painful to keep them silent. Sometimes we get call
sick and sometimes we got called sacred, but no matter

how they name us we are a vital part of making this
planet whole.



3
Its time we connect our underground
roots and tell our buried stories, row
‘up strong and scatter our visions all over
the patches of scarred and damaged soil
In asociery that s 30 desperacey in need
of change.









Language is a place to begin.
Words can be powerful seeds. The
retical authorities offer ut all kinds of

help us look back on
four lives with a new
way of understan

she the hell was tog
‘on.but to0 often these
‘words end up putting
Us in sad, separate
boxes where we feel
like there's something
rong with us and we
car't connect to anyone]
else.

Language is powerful It

‘can open the world up

like sunrise and it ean,

block out the sky like prison walls.

Language is Magic. Back in she days
before mass media techno culture, and
fluorescent bght - when i got dark at
‘igit and peaple sat around fires and
‘told stories oF sat alone and wrote by
candlelight ~ there was 2 respect for the
spoken and written word, for the story
for myths passed down through genera-
tions and adapted through time,

Whether we realize it or not we cast
spells with cur words.Thete days
were supposed to believe science has

explained away any need for supernatural
Powers, but spels are being cast around
‘us constantly: spells are in the billboards
‘whose messages eat their way into our
iminds;theyre in the television's hypnotic
share making us forget our owm dreams
and replacing them with infomercials,
advertising convenience and apocalypse;
they're in the books explaining one side
of history at school and in the pop-
up windows overtaking our computer



‘We have other peoples
fanguage in our heads
and on our tongues.
Werds tke “disorder”
and" disease” offer us
‘one set of metaphors
for understanding the
vay i feels to experi.
ence our lives through
ur particularly volatile
minds and souls, but fe
1s such a limited view.

a

ic
fe ed

Neca ei

ficering ll our per=
ceptions through

the available structures of words and
‘metaphors in our brain = in many senses
the available metaphors create our reality.

Looking around these days it's pretty
clear we are experiencing a serious lack
‘of imaginaton. is like were under the
spell of the Monocul — a spell af numbed
‘out distraction from the fact that things
could be so much better and beautiful
The spell controls how we articulate
‘our dreams and understand our bodies
and minds. It control how we feel about
‘oursehes and whether we connect with
‘other people. tleaves us with strange

4
words in our mouths and on our tongues and horrible catel

hy commercial jingles and
stereotypes about our neighbors implanted in our mirds,

Perhaps if we can change the metaphors that shape
our minds, we can change the reality around us,

and ‘healthy.
rears and scheme up ways © make them happen We reed
[Oshare everything we've figured out about how to be a heman bony

love ourselves




‘Think ofthis manual in your hands asa book of magic spl. le could help you

A over dee pa YOU Want to see. We've cutined a bunch of ideas gechered from


Breaking Down The Walls

Around Madness and Mental Illness
A Guide to Organizing Icarus Groups

Introduction

Society puts up walls around “mental illness” Labels and language, fear and sharme
isolate us from each other. Without a voice of our own and spaces for ourselves, we
rely on authorities and the media to define who we are.The larus Project’ goals to
break down mainstream culture's walls and concrete and rechim our experiences, so
that anew vision of who we are and what we can become will take root and flourish.

‘We can organize events filled with inspiration and creativity plan actions that demand
‘change, educate our allies, stare skills and resources, and help each other feel less
alone. It is up to us to define what we experience in words that make sense. and to
create support that meets cur needs.In this laboratory of resistance we discover
new ways of thinking and relating and begin to participate in our own iberation,

Because we struggle with the extremes of madness, we often have intense empathy
and sensitivity towards others: the gif of « big heart and a lot to give. Living through
the “damaged dysfunctional psych patent” can also mean you become the Wounded
Healer:a person who's survived the fire and comes out the other side with stories
0 tall and sklls to share. we can get past our fears and ansieties, its us, not the

psychiatrists and professionals, who have the knowledge and ability to connect and

Communicate with each other through our pain.



Starting a Group from Scratch

People are incredibly hungry for creative, empowering dscussions and story-sharing
land around mental health from 2 noremainstream view. We are continually amazed
by the tremendous response every time we hold an Icarus Project group or event.
‘Once you take the first step and spread the word, people will come. Don't let fear
or inexperience stop you. By taking the initiative, ther paople wil be encouraged to


et involved because it will couch their ives and reach through their isolation. Even
if you've never organized pualic event or discussion before, you can stil start an
learus group in your community!

There are two basic ways to start a group from scratch:

Ifyou already know people who are interested in ‘working together, such
35 8 group of friends or Icarus website users in your area you've met online, call
open gathering at someone's house or a coffeeshop to talk about your hopes and
interests. Decide where you want to put your energy first. Some folks decide to form
‘an emotional support group; others begin by hosting an event like a mawe night or =
inencal heath slshare, or take on specifi project ke an actist campaign creating
‘radical mental health library or teaching a cass (sce ideas, below). Go withthe ieee
that has the most excitement and passion around it, and be willing to accommodate
‘more than one project i people ar inspired in more than one direction and you
have enough people to do the wort At this first vision gathering, decide on areguar
time and place to meet again, and your group is underway



I you don’t know anyone who wants ta start a group and you can’ Gad
{anyone through the website begin with a simple seed event. This is 2 public gathering
such asa movie nigh open discussion ona speci tpl or a preseaton pare
semeane from out of town.A seed event is Bkeacall ut into the darkness wry
£o ellthe wort youre here and attract people to find you When people show op
arnource that you want to star an ongoing group Then circulate & contsce ne oe
Peoples names, emails and/or shone numbers, pick a meeting time and place and
schedule the fre meeting to hear sbout hopes itererts and passacen



Once your group is started, youll want to pick 2 name that expresses your purpose
and identity (eel free co use “Iearus” or any other name that inspires you). Post 2
fevort on the larus website Local Organizing and Meetups forums co let everyone
‘vow what youre doing, and lst yourself in the larus local contact directory 0
people can find you,

Remember, you are part of an international network and people

are eager and ready to help your local effort! Feel tree to ask people

‘on the website forums if you need help or ideas, or email the learus collective at
Support@theicarusproject net. Once you've learned how to do things locally, your
help is needed in advising and supporsing ouhers ms they learn how eden Tie rove
‘ commuricate and learn from each other, the stronger our movemone beceanee

Now youre ready to prepare and facilitate regular gatherings to plan and implement
your activities

7
Organizing Successful Gatherings: Preparation

Choose a convenient time and place. Try to find a space that isnt ton
ncisy but isat too sterile.A location accessitle by wheelchair and close to public
‘ransportaton is a plus, such as cafes, chssrooms,communty centers, bookstores,
infoshops, and public parks. Someone's living room works if they are comiortable
with advertisingin public. Beware settings lke clinics cr health centers that can
evoke pail memories, or places with tie paint or fumes. Make an eflors eo
‘ensure everyone involved feels comfortable with the location and time

Publicize, Make a compelling fier to_post. Never underestimate the power of a
smart illustration or graphic to capture people's eye and interest! Feel free to use
ary Icarus graphics you want to dowmload or phetocepy. (Check out sample Icarus
‘Ayers on pages 25-26 ) Ute a provocative question such as""What does it metn to
be labeled mad in a world that is obviously insane!” Think about who you wart to,
‘reach and where theyll find you. Send short and simple who-what-why-where-when
announcements to e-mallistservs and local newspapers and events calendars, and
remember that community radio stations might air a free public service announce-
iment ifyou ask. If your area has an Indymedia website for community events, post
the information on it Email events@theicarusproject.net to post on the Icarus
‘website events calendar. Contact people you know by phone or in person, and ask
them to contact people. Consider approaching other groups for co-spontorship,

to borrow their mailing list, or to help get the word out. Dissemination is key -
‘whether you are distributing glossy postcards or wheatpasting photocopied flers, be
sure to get the word out Sometimes its good to send out.an individual email appeal
to tell people how it might benefit them to come, and ask them to forward the
invitation to others free Use your own voce, make ie personal, share your story.
Jes also good to also remind folks again on the dry of the event.



‘Choose « Frame for The Meeting. Come up with a coherent form you want
Your meeting to take. Think ofthe logistics -how long do you want to meet? How
many people do you expect! Is it a completely open ciscussion,a facilitated dalogve,
2 brainstorm, focused planning tession for an upcoming event, or something ese
akcogesher? A prepared agenda can help focus things and keep people on track. Ideas
about how to run a group as a listening space for emotional support are found in
that section of this guide.



Choose « Facilitator. A facilitator is not the manager or authority, but someone
‘who keeps the discussion flowing and focused on the agenda, makes sure everyone
{ets to speak and no one interrupts, lets people know about the meetings structure
‘and goals, checks in with people's energy levels, suggests breaks, and offers inspira-
tion. It can be good to have a pair af faiitarnrs who work togethor and back each
cther up, and we suggest rotating facilitators in subsequent mestings so everyone
ets involved and one person doesn't become the leader. See the section on.
listening spaces for more detailed information atout facilitation,

g


Bring Literature, The larus Project support manual
Promotional posuards, our reaver Navigaung the Space
Between Brillance and Madness posters. stickers patches,
and other goodies are at worwtheicarusprojectnet or
e-mail suppoe@theicerueprojecenet and wel send you

stuff.You can copy pages out of chis manual like the comics
land the mission statement, or print someching off our
‘website: There is also a wealth of info related to radical
‘mental health available on the internet, including books
and articles, much of which Is linked from the learus site.

‘A tandout or ewe can be a great tool for discussion.

Holding Successful Gatherings:
Putting It All Together

Make Sure Everyone is Comfortable,
Tall people where 9 find the bathrooms, get
water or g0 ourside to smoke, Bringing food is
always wendertul Setup the room in cide,
and accommodate anyone with mobility neat
4 Adjust the lighting (shadow can be betwer
than harsh lucrescents) Bring are supplies
Yj like markers and paper so people can draw or
oode tf this makes them feel more comfort
able. Discussing mental health issues is realy
touchy and even intimidating to alot of folks so
let people know thus also ok to be quiet anc
just taten






Start on Time. This sets a precedent for sub-
‘sequent meetings Have a timekeepe: Sticking to a strict time limit helps to create
‘comfort and safety,



Set an Honest, Inspiring Tone, Beginnings are crucial i you are exited
hhonese, and enthusiast, hat energy will spread to the other peeple in che room. es
also ok to be nervous! Just be honest and let others know howe youre fecing Aloor
yourself to be vulnerable and real as much as feels safe for ‘you. It will inspire other
People to open up: Remember, youre not trying to be 1 professional or have ic all
together! Iarus groups are about being real and sharing our humanicy

Explain the Frame and Agenca. Bretty let people know what youre hoping
will come out of this event, and exphin the agenda and how long the meeting
{0ingto.run, If you're hoping to create a space where people open up and share
euals cf ther lives with each ochar express thi you have specific questions to
address ay them out. lf youre hoping to stimulate interest in an ongoing project or

q
‘group, describe it and you want. You can
encourage the group | The Icarus Preamble: | read the Icarus
towork. i ing Preamble, piece of
Too! for Opening Metin; Iearus Project writing
Clarify The Con- | We've compiled lite document | like the mission
aoe statement or a story
ie ty Policy. nas reven toot toreadat | ois touched you
ach meg help beginning of meetings to help | or tlk about how
‘create a safe space for | introduce The learus Project and | you found the project
participants by cari | create safe open liteingepace | 3N¢ wht you get out
ing the importance of } fo your group. We've inchided an
ceily reproducible version of the | Keep it personal
Preamble on p.30 of this book! | and share stories.
Try to get your ego
‘out of the way and
ji keep everyone's
i gram pre needs, not just your
look at the section on file tm own, foremost. Don't
confidentalicy ter inj e be an expert or an
the guide. authority. Share your
experierce.ts a
Have Someone Me ‘ feo have space to
Take Notes.it an i connect with each
Taboo other ina society
be really helptul B
my oe Hse ‘ where we're all 50
alienated. Make use of
this time,













later ieabo keeps famadn [proitetd atee} The Agenda: A
people up-to-date i: pre-planned agenca
when they miss a ? th ‘is good if youare
meeting, and helps os j focusing on specific
new people get up to
speed. Make sure to
respect confidental- [1
fave the group decide
ibe | the agenda collab-
and plans and main ai j Oratively especially
points of discus- a ye eee} if this is your first
fon Dont focus on EA meeting Brainstorm
peoplcsnames, Ey oe ‘wat you want to see
es jig) S#Cussed, then priori-
Introduce The te ere hinge} 820 from there

Tearus Project i



Horror

Suiecessful 4 sful Gatherings:

Talk to People. Make tme to hang around

and chat with foks informally fer the meeting

Make personal contact with newcomers especially

€ii| People who were quiet. Often people won't fee!

=| comfortable speaking in the public group but one-
‘on-one will havea lot of questions or comment

3/4 Encourage people to share phone numbers and

:



















meet outside the group.

siz} Thank People for Coming. t you see people
| #FoUpL| around in the community tell them you were glad
to see them at the meeting. Try to remember
Deople' names Ask how falls are doing and make
4 connection. The mort important suprert lsche
necwurk of caring we crete between meetings

4 Prepare for the future. Send out meeting notes
4 Post fiers for the next meeting. Plan another event.
H Keep publicizing. Keep talking Fores mersege on

The larus Project website local groups lores
leeing everyone know how fc went td wat You
Bh learned

Hold Regular Meetings. Make sure people
% know where and when they can find the group,
Enuil or call everyone a few days in advance

‘© remind people about the mesting Try to be

4 consistent and repetitive when scheduling meeting

Jc time and place. Delegating one person or a phone
‘tree system to remind or check-up by phone with

‘€2ch other prior to meetings is good



il
‘newcomers after the meeting and ask them how it went and what they might be
looking for in a group.

Get Everyone Involved, Don't let the same people take responsibilty fr all
tasks. Make sure everyone who wants to get involved can, even if tasks are small, ike
bringing food, hanging posters, sending out an e-mail. Have a new member do tasks
with an old member.

Share Skills with Each Other. Even if one or a few people are really good at
‘most tasks, take the time to share knowledge and help everyone learn new sklls.
Building community is the whole point — if we just focus on being “eficient” we lose
sighe of our bigzer goals,

Share Food. Make your meeting into ‘an event. Have a potluck. When we share
{food. it shows nurturing for each other. gives conversation a context and builds trust
and knowledge.

Diversify Your Group. Reach out to peopie from diferent backgrounds.
You make your commitment to anti-oppression vocal and known, people who are
oppressed by the dominant culture will feel more welcome.

Keep in Touch. Use your contact list. Send out ‘e-mails. Check in on people by
phone.

Create a Phone Tree. Many groups ike 12 step groups and support groups,
Circulate a Ist where people who are willing to offer support between mestings can
‘write down their phone number as a resource for ether people in the group. Let
people define for themselves what they are able to offer and thei avalabiley.

Make Plans Before Breaks. if pecple are ‘taking off for holidays, vacations, or
school breaks, make a plan to keep meeting when everyone is back in town, Sead out
e-mails and updites while people are away or if any changes need to happen.

Organize Compelling Events. Attract new members and ‘energize current
members by organizing events outside the reguar meeting time.

2
Organizing Public Events

Your group might want to organize events for the larger public,and the possbilc
ties are endless, from workshops, panels, speak-outs ard lectures to art making, fn
screaings live music art shows, and pothicks. If you don't know where to start, take
3 look atthe fllowing questions. Then consider the folowing Ist of types of events,

Why are you organizing an event? What Do

*To dialogue about “mental illness” and what it means in a
world that's obviously insane? You Hope

*To create a safe space for people to tell their stories and To Inspire?
find common ground?



*To get people to discuss a particular topic, lke suicide Dialogue?
Prevention or psych drugs?

To share experiences and Information about holistic Activism?
health care and alternatives to drugs?

*To talk about activist burnout stress, and trauma? Support?
*To share information about treatments and coping skills?

Regular
+To create networks for better mental health support ou
because the ones that exist are inadequate? Gatherings?

*To educate the public about the problems with the .
deer am rvtemand reasments and propose akerni. | Community?
tives?

To protest human rights abuses and demand changes in. | Resource
the system? To make changes in the power structures of

your hoa! or lea government? Sharing?
*To offer information and referrals for resources and .
programs in the community?To raise awareness about Projects?

‘The Icarus Project or another specifi project? _.

* To inspire people and share aruimusic/dance/writing with | Cleativity
your commanigy?

“7ooferatrorcy help lor Feopl dang wih eg | Change?
issues. benefits,or services?

Different Kinds of Events

Open-Mic/Story Swap. Open up a ‘space where people can read pieces of their
writing or share some of their personal stories in a more informal way. This kind

of event is good for involving a lot of people, ard it doesn't rely on the personality
and confidence of “presenters.” Sometimes an ‘event like this is also presented as a
“speak-out’ where people are encouraged to come speak their truths in opposition

to the words and representations of “mental illness” that surround us Try te mate








room for as many people 2s poseble to
share by making it clear up front chat
ach person will get a certain amount
of time based on how many folks want
to tak orread. For
‘ample, if you have
10 peopleand one
hour to share stories,
you could give each
person 6 minutes.

Support Group. A
workshop or regular
meeting specially

for emotional support
can be a great

and empowering
akernative to
Professional and
mmaintream group
therapy. Check our the Md
secon tn this guide

on Listening Spaces,

Skillshare. Stillshares are powerful
events where people can share and
learn skils without anyone acting ike

an authority or expert All you have to

o is find people who are interested

in fclitating workshops, secure a

space and date, make a schedule, and
advertise the event./A mental heath
sullshare could include workshops
topics like: mental health and creativiry:
herbs and supplements; understanding
psych meds; suicide prevention;
journaling zine-making: navigiting the
system; peer-counseling: sharnanism/
imysticiem and “mental ilness” dealing
with crisis educating friends and family
spoken word; recovering from abuse and
trauma: race, class, gender and mental
health; activism and mental health,.. Use
your imagnation. The possi
endless.



14












Stress, Burnout, and Trauma
for Activists. Facing the police at
demonstrations ard organizing urgent
‘campaigns for social Justice leads to
burnout, stress.
and trauma. Hold a
discussion about how
Bi people can better tke

By care of themselves
and each other,

By including preventive
wellness practices,
how to recover fram
burnout, and how to

heal aura.

Bl Movie Night/
Bd Film Screening

Sereen afm er video

related to mental

haley and open up a
discussion afterwards. Some suggested
‘moves:Tarnation, Bladerunner, One
Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Waking
Life, Beautiful Mind, Gif Interrupted,
Ordinary People, American Beauty, But
mA Cheerleader. Man Facing Southeast,



Aficion, Leaving Las Vegas, Gattaca, Blue
Sky, Fearless.

Panel Discussion. invite 3 - 5 people
‘0 present their personal stories or
speak about a specific topic like ebuses
inthe mental health system or holistic
health, Give exch panelist 5 = 20 minutes
‘to speak.then open the space up for
questions,

Presentation/Lecture. Invite someone
‘with public speaking experience or
research on a specie topic to make

4 presentation, such as an author.a
naticnal activist or health profess-onal
Be sure to make room for participation
and questions



Have a Party! Yes, tis possiste to
have a party with people where meneal
health i a focus.
We don't have co
cry all the time.
Organize a pot-
luck firs and then
have a discussion
and music, Have
2 specific thems
«lke raking crats AR
cor making masks resins
for an upcoming
demonstration —
and create side by
sige with each other.
Have a mental health
dance night cause it’s
reilly good for our
brains f we move
ur bodies

i

a}

Music/Concert/Show. Get bands
with group members to perform. Have
someone talk a little about The Icarus
Project andior your local group. Make
the show a benefit and charge » small
entrance fee so you aan raise some
‘money to support your local groups
costs (such as photocopies costs or
oom-usage fees). Or have an open-mic
night where people can perform their

‘Art Show. So many of ut labeled with
“mental illness” are highly creative. Solicit
arc from your frends and communiy,
finda space. hang the work, and inspira
each other: Check out info about past
learus art shows on the website

Book Reading or Discussion.t
people in your group have been wring
about mental health, organize a reacing
2€2 focal bookstore or cafe. I some
fascinating or controversial new book

IS

POUT
eve
RG Oh}

Vi
ACs

has been published, organize 2 night to
discussie,

Table at Local

Events. Set up
‘ an larus Prosect
table at local
concerts, festivals,
conferences,
student activity firs,
demonstrations,
rallies, Bookfairs,
zine symposiums,
and other events.
Display lore
Project literature,
art or writing by
members of your
local group, info
about your group’
pcoming meetings
and events, or photocopies of info you've
sathered on mental health topics. Hang
colorful banners and posters, smile,
and answer people's questions. Have a
contact list ready for people to sign co

a
(ela
ce

Vi

{get involved with your group.

Free Mental Health Class/
Discussion Group. set up an
ongoing dacusson on specie topics
related to mental heilth If your cown
has a freeskool network with them to
Prometa the cess not.rese we m space
make fiers and do it yourself.

Tearus Project Workshops. Contact
local schools, community centers,
conferences, gatherings, bookstores,
activist eonters, clinic, libraries, festival,
freeskools, collectives, or infoshops and
ask if you can come do an Icarus Project
workshop to start discussion and raise
awareness around mental heakh issues
For more info'on how to do 2 workshop,
check out the next section


Organizing an Icarus Project Workshop

“The frst learus Project workshops were a humble response to « hearebreaking
tragedy. An amazing friend and activist named Ser: Bilikian flew too close to the
sun ané committed suicide in early 2002. It became really clear to a lot of people in
‘our community chat starting an open dialogue about mental heath issues and how
they affect all of us was way overdue.

‘That Winter Sascha, one of the founders of The kaurs Project, érove across the
‘country in an old pick-up truck and held informal workshops with titles like
“Walking the Edge of Insanity: Navigating the World of Mental Health as a Radical
inthe 21* Century” at community centers and in people's living rooms. 15 to 30
people would usually show upand walk for hours. He had never done anyshing like
this, or even heard of anyone doing anything like this, but ic was a big success. A year
and a half later Sascha and Ashley published the Icarus Project reader, Navigating
the Space Between Brilliance and Madness, and went on the road to start learus
Project discussions at places ranging from their old schools and collective houses to
‘waiting rooms in Wyoming and activist spaces in Detroit. It was incredibly powerful
to discover that sharing the most difficult. intimate, scary inspiring parts of our
lives could help hundreds of people. It was incredibly powerful for the people who
showed up to realize that they are not alone.

‘The key to the success of our early workshops seemed to be a whole lot of honesty
about the hardest things. Invariably the discussions that took off for hours were the
cones where we opened up in the very beginning about our personal experiences
‘ith the dirkest and most paradoxical parts of our psyches. When we talked about
hearing voices. enduring unbearable agitation, feling terried we were insane, still
‘wonderingif we had losta chance at enlightenment, or being convinced there was
‘no option bur suicide ~ and getting through itall~ other people fel free to open
up about their huge questions and complicated histories. We encourage you to be as
‘open with your own experiences as you cart will encourage people to trust you.
Basic Format for an Icarus Project Workshop:

“As much as possible: set chairs up in a circle 50 people can see each other.
Welcome people.

Go a ound for introductions if the group is small enough.
Describe the kearus Project vision, perhaps by reading the mission statement.

-Start with a story of how your personal experience has led you to be Interested in
‘these issues.

‘Facilitate a discussion based on people's responses, stories, and problems, or on 2
serves of open-ended discussion questions.

-Enccurage people to circulace a contact list and continue meeting after the
workshop.

16
Discussion Questions for Workshops and Groups

Having a series of questions can be a great way to facus a workshop discussion into
deep and meaningful directions. Brainstorm Ideas beforehand, potentially including:

+ What does it mean to be'“rmentaly ill?”
+ What are the implications of being labeled sick by a sociecy that is obviously sick?

+ How do we figure out whats society's madness,and what's our own, and when the
lines are too hard to draw?

+ ls madness a continuum rather than a set of definitions and diagnosis?

= What does it mean to see our madness as 2 potenuilly dangerous gift?



= What alternative frameworks exist for interpreting cur mental health struggles?

+ Can wa look 2¢ the role of race, cass, gender, and other aspects of our identities in
shaping our struggles while stl taking responsibilty for ourselves?

+ Can diagnostic labels help us see patterns without putting us in a box or becoming
selt-fuiling prophecies?

+ When does behavior become "dysfunctional"?

= Can we define for ourselves what an appropriate level of functioning leoks and
feels tke?

+ What kinds of healing and wellness practices have helped us to get better?

+ What are our‘early warning signs’ that we need to focus more on our wellness
and health?

+ How do we ake care of each other and ourselves?

= How can we respect decisions to take psych medication but still be honest abour
the risks of these drugs?

+ How can we respect decisions to try alternative treatments andlor reject conven-
tonal mecical treatment!

+ How can we respect choices to use recreational drugs when they seem sel-de-
structive?

Whit are our options when we or someone we know seems to be going into
crisis!

“What topics aren't being dis.ussed in our communicies that we want to see
discussed?

+ What are people struggling with and how can we find better ways to talk aboutie?

7
Creating Mutual Aid Groups

and Listening Spaces

‘Wildness has no walls. Sand mixes with saltwater, leaves drift into streams. rain
seeps through stone. When we lose ourselves in the pain of madnes itis really the
walls of coation that mala us suffer We want someare to understand, secre

to see us, someone to be with. Like tenacious green tendrils that reach their way
cross any tarier and through any fence, our wild emotioral seves are seeking &
‘way to find others. Breaking through the walls and making a connection can mean ill
the dference inthe world. yg










Mutual aid and support groups
are a way to bring down tie
walls that isolate us. No one in
the group is above anyone else:
mutual aid meant we listen to
‘and support each other as a
community of equals, without
paid professionals or staffto
define who we are or get
In our way. Each of usis an
expert on cur own
cexperience,and each of
sis the center for our
decisions — and we are net alone.

Listening Spaces

‘There is a wide diversity of
srroup models to draw on,
and we encourage you to
experiment ro find the
best fitfor you.All these
approaches,however, share
the same essential principle:
create 2 space fo: listening,

tn nator, ster, slence

and sky create a ast
container for what i
together with peo essential to emerge. Step into
Serre. cunet sogether with People vademess and you encounter a hashed
‘who've been through what we've been utience and gentle holding rare in
through, people who share some of the ™ = "e

the noisy, sped-up, cash and clamor

mysteries and sufering thie get labeled
' : of our urban lives, Corporate
‘mental illness; we dicover ECO rneeees er
new maps throvth crs -







suppresses true
learn new tools to sty listening and i
ante Gets
labels, rigid habits,
communities of lie Zr and preconceived
darity to change the ‘oF, notions. Real
world. We discover:
something at A spre and

thee fhe
Singers ec
ines cringtor “QI
onters is ofen the
Seer eco

caring means
breaking down
habitual ways of
Inceracting, and
meeting each other
in spaces of true,

oursehves. Vv 0 active listening
Key elements of listening spaces:

“+ Dont tale over others or Incerrupt-If someone interrupts, gently ask him or her
tm stop. Take turns, Raise hanés, or go in order.

+ Dorit rush through or go tco fast. Create a calm, quiet space without inter-up-
tions or distractions.

‘Allow periods of silence while we find what to say.

‘Let the person decide when they are done. Don't jump In. f time san issue, the
group thould decide on what’ fair and stick to it.

+ Don't react or speak up automatically, Watch how your reactions to what others
say reflect your owm experience, not the person specking Give yourself time to
respond from a deeper place

~/Ask permission before giving advice or responding directly to what someone said
Sometimes people just want to be listened to,

+ When someone responds to you or gives advice, alow yourself to take what is
helpful fram options presented, and leave the rest. rather than defending yourself
vyou disagree.

* Listen asa receiver, not asa critic. Imagine different perspectives and experiences,
rather than assuming they/re just lke yours

Facilitation and Self-facilitation

With their roots in effective listening, groups can nurture healing and community
through facilitation. Factiatcrs help the group Isten more effectively, and pay
specfic attention to the overall needs and direction of everyone involved, not just
their own individual needs. The facilitator should avcid bias, and if they are too
involved with a particular group topic then someone else might be better in the
role. It helps when two people facilitate and when facilitators reflect group diversity
such as gender, age, and race. is also good to pair more experienced and less
experienced facilitators, and to offer new people a chance to learn facitation skills

Importantly, everyone should keep overall group needs in mind, and everyone can
assist the group through sellfaciltation

Key elements of facilitation and self-facilitation:
+ Create a clear agenda or plan on how to spend your time together:

+ Keep track of time s0 people can “wrap up” their feelings without feeling cut off or
notheard. Closing the meeting respectfuly is as important as besinning it.

+ Remind everyone to respect group confidentiality so sensitive information does
not leave the room.

+ Checkin with the group's energy level and focus, and re-direct the conversation

W
if ics becoming scattered or bogged down, Suggest breaks, exercises, games, or
agenda and time revisions when necessary. conversation is lgging ask questions,
tell a story, or get up and do some stretching. Sometimes ifthe group is stuck the

{facilitator can ask a clarijying question, reframe an issue, or connec: pois to earlier
discussion





* Oifer choices, especially if people want feedback or not after they speak.

* Consider using “I” statements when speaking,such as “I feel” and“ want
focused on your own feelings and needs. aking about other people or
‘akes focus away frem your ewn axperienes.

1" to stay
gossiping

* Encourage defining problems within the concept of “dangerous gs"
‘rysterious talents rather than seeing ourselves as fiwed or diseased.

* Use a common vocabulary and minimize jargon.

and unique

+ Be on the lookout for repeating patterns in each other's ives to identily reot

lavestigate how past



xperiences shape present realities. Did something from
<hildhood happen this way? From an early work or school experience? The past can
help explain the present. but stay focused cn present problems,

= Reflect upon the politcal dmension of personal problems, and reframe problems

within a framework of a crazy-making society instead of blaming the perzon
suffering,

* Hold people accountable for beavicrs but don't criticize who they are as peopl.

~ Focus on the things we can control and let go of things we can't, but don give up
‘on visions of change and revolution!

~ Keep an experimental attitude and a willingness to explore new perspectives ard
options.

* Learn what triggers you and how to cope with them. Recognize the buildup, esca-
lations and de-escalations in crisis periods,

+ Remember that the group is not a promise thit problems wil be solved, but a
space to address problems safely.

+ And finally: now when to bust out! Nature isn't always neat and orderly.
Sometimes wild conversation, spontaneity, nd breaking all the rules of facilitation’
's exactly what the group needs in the moment skilled facilitator and skilled par-
ticipants can feel when the chaos and cacophany that erupt are refreshing and true
to the group spirit, and when to go with it Then comes the time to reel ital back in
and return to the basic structure of taking turns and listening carefully





20
Inclusion and Self-Determination

‘The Icarus Project is a space for people who understand bipolar and other mental
heath diagnoses from outside the mainstream view of disorders.ilness,and conformity.
Groupe need to be welcoming and inclusive, where diverse perspectives anc life
choices are respected and honored according to the principles of harm reduction
and self-determination. For example, people who take prychiatric drugs and people
‘who don’: take them are welcome. People who use ciagnosis categories like “bipolar”
to describe themselves, as well as people who define themselves differently are also
welcome,

‘Ways to create group inclusion:

+ Invite newcomers to introduce them
selves if they want to,

+ Practice “stepping up. stepping back so
we can exch contribute to equal partici
pation

+ Give priority to people who haven't yet
spoken.

+ Encourage quiet people to speak, but
don’: require them to er put them on
the spot,

* Be carelul to not dominate the discus-
‘ion, speak in capital letters, restate what
others s2y, oF speak for others,

+ Allow exch person to define their
Problems the way they want Don't label
or judge athers.

+ If you disagree with someone, ask
{questions to understand their point

of view better This s not a ume ior
arguments or trying to convince others
youre right.

+ Respect different views and choices,
such as dagnosis, medication, receation-
al drugs, nutrition, medical care, holistic
health, exercise, spirituality festyle,
and other decisions. Change is dfficul!
People grow zt their own pace, and you
may not really know what is best for
another person, because you are not
them,

Zi

+ Accommodite limitations and access
needs, such as wheelchair accessibil-

ity and deaf interpretation. Be aware of
hhow choices of where to hold meetings
might affect people, such as institutional
setongs ike dinics or health centers that
‘an wigeer painful memories. or places
‘with toxe substances (fresh paint, new
furnicure or carpets) that people might
be chemically sensitive to.

+ Identify and discuss how power and
privilege play out by understanding how
Whice supremacy patrarehy, elatsizm,
heterosexism, ableism, and all other
forms of oppression affect each of us.



+ Intervene in situations where people
are making oppressive comments.
Re-focus on the agenda, and remind
everyone of the need for group

safety, Recognize the intention behind
someone's word choice, and give them
an opportunity to correct themcalvet
‘or recognize how their words might be
offensive. It can help to say

“When lust heard you say that some
‘people might feel you used an irappro-
priate or disrespectful term. Can you
re-word that statement”

+ Remember that including marginalized
voices and overcoming oppression helps


. Mutual Aid and Advocacy

‘When we listen to exch ocher effectively, we be
to meet them. Icarus groups can become places to



to understand our needs and haw
urture community networks of

mutual aid and advocacy, help each other through crisis, deal with the mental health
system, and learn about new options and resources,

Mutual Aid Means:

+ Ensure people can make their own
best detisions by having solid
facts about the drugs they
‘ake, their dagnosis, and,
‘options. Psychiatric
drugs are toxic and
have huge dangers
pharmaceutical
comparies ¢on’t
talk about. and di-
agnostic labels are
often misleading
and disempowering.
Atthe same time,
holistic health doesn't
‘work for everyone, and
ong off drugs can be risky.
Share lists of books. websites

and articles that have information cor-
recting mainstream misinformation.

+ Compare experiences with herbs and,
holistic health, medications that are
helpful, and ditferent treatments

+ Share advice and knowledge on how
to reduce and go off medication safely if
people want to.

+ Put together a resource ist of area
low-costisliding scale health care
Practitioners whe are open to non=
‘manstream views of mental health and
recovery: use the Icarus Provider Guide-
lines and listing.

* Help people advocate for themselves
with their doctors and health care prac-

titioners; accompany them to appoint

22





a
ccmeraten ee
cae na
> ona
tee,

free food and ather
needs,

+ Wa person is
disruptive or needs

a lot of attention,

consider pairing them up

with someone ene on ons,

40 they can get the focus they

need ard the rest ofthe group can
continue



+ Set aside issues or conflicts taking a

{ot of group time to deal with outside
of the group. Sometimes interpersonal
‘mediation one-on-ore is better than a
group trying to solve a problem between
‘two people.

* Share info about activism, community
‘events, and recreation so people can
meet outside the group.

+ Learn ways to help people when things
start to come crashing dawn. Consider
‘creating a criss plan where people name
their early warning signs and describe
the support they want if they start to go
Different Forms of Peer Counseling Groups

‘With che principle of listening as the foundation, groups can take many forms. Once

weekly, once a month? Is ita droprin group.or are people committed for a series sie

‘open to anyone or does the group select its members? Looking at and learning ‘rom

diferent group maaels can give you a broader sense of what is possible and how to
structure your roup

+ 12.Step Programs such as Alcahal. «Reading / decustion group.The group
ics Anonymous. Group members tell chooses an article or book to discuss
their stories drawing on years of shared each meeting,
wisdom, and follow a stazes model of

+ Emotional Support Groups: part
recover? throuth specific persona pants gather because they share a

and spiritual goal, More experi- ticular problem/theme, such as
enced members coach newer ® par roblem/theme, such



chronic pain, being a veteran, or
nes chrough one-on-one suffering grief and loss,



sponiorthip Timers divide up Je
speaking time equaly. Rr, + HearingVoices groups: Small
* Comet Process (Taing gatherings across England and



") Europe where people discuss

Suck mee, Members ke
: the experience of hea
srmsmatiaonsshene | ES) Cocetane re wn ce
oF topic without interrupting

cope in a non-judemental
+ responding, pe Vtutern

—
L/S amesphere,
* Co.Counsaling Dyade:People
take turns with equal tine in pair, a Empower yourselves
‘where one person isthe speaker
and the other just listens. then they to explore different
‘setach, options and create your

+ Setahare, Rasouce Sharing Suchas_ group the way that works
icine-Specfc, Holistic Specific, or
Advocate Specific. best for everyone


Confidentiality Icarus Project

Revealing inimase information makes people __Skillshares, ‘Learning
Vulnerable, Groups build trust when ths Circles, and
vulnerability is respected and cared for. Your group

should agree go a confidentiality policy and make, ITainings
Sure to practice it ‘The learuis Project écllectve

Some options are: began when Ashley and Sascha
‘met and'started touring,

+ General Experience Only: Members may discuss sharingrthelr experiences

what they and others say and do with people and sparking dialogue about

outside che group, but only generally, withcut any mental health, Today the
names, detals, or clues about the specific people or |carus collective staff travels
cevents.This is a common policy, used in the NYC. around-ehe country-and even
Icarus group and Freedom Center:it supports internationally to help'out at
discussion of sensitive topics such as abuse, criminal community speaking/events and
behavior; and suicide, while allowing participants to discussions’ as wall as offering
‘take what they learn to the rest of the world, skillshares, learning ercles, and
+ Personal Experience Only:“What's said here stays aningseizssts
hhore.” Participants may discuss what they them- Susie ot

selves say and do with people outside the group, bux We have years of experience
‘may not talk about, or even refer generally, to what With such topics as groupi-
oxhers sar da Thies more reece poly flat community
vied fer groupe sucht Leap groupe the ocus STEN dealg wth
specifically on difficult topics such as addiction and Seo
abuse ‘ :
Disclosure: Group partcipants are free to tlk Support und cosficeresoludon,
about anything that happened in the group. While We're aso skilled with
common for activist organizations and public events computers, granewriing. musi,
thae wane to ger the word out freely. this approach and walliess tools such 33 YOR:
should be weighed carefully for groups providing putrtion, and acupuncture.
mutual emotional support. you want to invite us eo

+ Total Nor-Disclosure:Anythng said or done s not YOUr communis; we work on
repeated, or even alluded neue anyone aftabilty to'pay basis, which
‘outside the group. This can be useful for aclosed Means that whether you

group focused on a very sensitive topic, where part Sore es = all
ticipancs wane to go very deeply into personal issues OF whether ofa
over time, inaed schoo

afford to pay, we'l,
+ Every group has different needs, so while General
Experience Only is the most common support
_:0up policy the group should set its own policy.
Make sure to explain the confidentiality policy at
the beginning of meetings, perhaps as part of the
preamble











24
Icarus Toolkit

In the following pages you'll find sample graphics fiyers, info sheets, and a copy of our
preramble that you can xerox, blow up, and use for your own gatherings!



The Icarus Proje
Radical Community-Based Mental Health

Support Groups Website Publications
by & for people struggling with dangerous gifts commonly labeled as mental illness

www.theicarusproject.net
'The Icarus Project www.theicarusprojeccnet
A Radical Mental Health Support Network|

by and for people struggling with dangerous gits commonly labeled as mental illness

Flyers and Graphics

Feel fees to xerox, blow up and use these graphics ane posters just as they are
to let people know about The learus Project and get them thinking about mental
health. or you can make quick publicity fyers by pasting over our words to aud
information about the meeting times and places for your local groups and events,
‘The graphic on this page is designed to enlarge imo an 1/2" x II" tyecThe
<design on the previous page is designed to enlarge into an I1"" x 17" posver Feel
fee to xerox, cut, paste, swap images, and make your own creation!







26
Here’s a Basic Template for an Icarus Project
Workshop/Discussion Flyer.

Wauxnie rae Epox o7 Insanrrr
Navigarina Ta Mysrery Or Menvan Heaure

Iv 4 Wor. Goma Map

Avice murnu wy THE IoARUS PRosecr

*ccemntr pitts canon
Sparc
smo ece ane
aap crema
reir Saree ae
See ee
Sosa seated
Saran Se
maui aneeeg ag
acta rst
By ‘cuts, and a society that equates productivity
Socmeees

unc ling what it means tobe "crazy?" Are
aes
Sims



















Chances are prety high tht if youre reading thin,
‘you or someone you care about has been grappling, ‘THERE ARE WAYB TO
wth hese questions fr yar Come join at et gaEW Orang
discussion and learn more about The Icarus Project, 18 OF OUR
amadealsepport nevorkby andfor moplestogging OWN SANITY, THERE
with the dangerous ifs common laced ar mental

Sinus he tans Pj cniins tase ey AREOTEND MAPS THAN
aod langue at eas with oor ae ‘THR ONES WE ARE
experience rater th tying tour Ives ito 8

conventional framework. By joining together as HANDED BY FAMILIES,
individual and ap acomnuniy, webope fo ate SCHOOLB, TELEVISIONS,
sce where the intetwined threads of modest ad

‘creativity can inspire bope and transformation in a AND DocToRs.

repressed and damaged world, Jon Ta

















Insert Your Group/Event

Deuils Here
iE caus PRO ECT

a RRRRRTAE |
















On the follewing pages you wil find copies of our Preamble and Vision
Statement Please fel ree to xerox and distribute these pages at your gatherngs

27
[—— ,
“Tse Ts Beany Tn A Creer Crocxes Mm

(Buss View Raves
“SYANEIRICAL Fesrucns
earraseuly tr)





Feel free to add your group/event

details to the flyer above.



Here’s a whimsical little Icarus
girl that you can use to make your
own materials.

28




Icarus Project Vision Statement

The Icarus Project envisions anew culture and language that resonates with our
actual experiences of mental illness! rather than trying to fit our lives into a con-
ventional framework. We are a network of people living with experiences that are
commonly labeled as bipolar or related madness We believe we have dangerous
fifts to be cultivated and taken care of, rather than a disease or disorder to be
“cured” or “eliminated.” By joining together as individuals and as a community, the
intertwined threads of madness and creativity can inspire hope and transformation
in a repressed and damaged werld. Our participation in The karus Project helps
us overcome alienation and tap into the true potential that lies between brilliance
and madness.







[The Icarus Project brings this vision to realty through an Icarus organizing cok
lective and a grassroots network of autonomous local support groups. The learus
‘rzanzing collective supports the Icarus vision and nourishes local groups by:(acil.
Gung. webrite community distributing publications, educating the public, ofering
fools sharing skills creating art engaging in advocacy, enhancing community capaci
ties, and providing inspiration and solidarity. The grassroots mental health network
tathers people locilly for listening, dalogue, mutual aid, acivism, access to vleen
natives, and any creative ventures they can dream up. Consistent with the learus
vision, local groups respect diversity and embrace harm reduction and self-deten.
mination around treatment decisions, including whethe” to take psychiatric crugs
©* not and whether to use dagnostic categuries or not Everyone who shares the
Icarus visicn is welcome to jin, and can choose" Icarus Project” or any other mame
for the independent efforts that inspire them,





Find Out More at: www.theicarusproject.net
———_¥o_— |}
24


Icarus Gathering PreRamble

Asa group of people inspired by the Icarus Project. we
offer you this preamble as a tool for your gatherings,
You can summarize or read the preamble out loud to
begin your meeting,as a way to focus the purpose and
keep tre bigger vision in everyones mind.As your group
learns its own lessors and needs, feel

free to revise ard create your

Welcome everyone
to our Icarus Project 7

local gathering!

The learus Project

envisions a new

culture and language that

resonates with our actual

experiences of ‘mental illness’

rather than trying to fit our lives

into a conventional framework. We

see our madness as a dangerous gift to be culti-
vated and taken care of, rather than as a disease or
disorder needing to be “cured” or “overcome.”

This is a space for people to come together and learn from eacl

others’ different views and experiences of madness. People who

take psychiatric drugs are welcome here, as are people who don't

take psychiatric drugs. People who use diagnosis categories to

describe themselves are welcome, as are people who define

themselves differently. The Icarus Project values self-determina-
tion and mutual support.

Find Out More at: www.theicarusproject.net




Meeting Agreements

‘This gathering has some basic agreements to ensure. FE
inclusion, safety, and open dialog:

+ We 'isten like allies’ We respect a wide diversity of
choice: and perspectives, even when we disagree, and
‘we don't judge or invalidate other people's experienc
es We try not tointerrupt When it’ ourturnto speak,
‘we ean atk others for feedback and advice, or justhave
people listen without responding. All responses are in
positive spirit of support and respect.

We also practice ‘step up step back? People who are quiet are encouraged to
speak and those who tall lot are encouraged to give others a chance We invite
‘new people to introduce themselves if they want And silence is also always ok,

AS a community, we try to use ‘ow! vision’ the ability to listen closely to the
spsaker while alo huving a feeling for the needs of the whole group. Keep in

‘mind that others might be waiting to speak, or when we all might need to take
a break.





“We recogrize that overcoming oppression helps everyone's liberation: it is the
sroups responsibility to challenge racism, chassis, sexism, ageism, homophobs,
and other forms of prejudice. We educate each other in the spirit of soldarity,
and hold others accountable for their behavior without criticizing who they are
as people.

+ We respect spiritual belies, tered states of consciousness, and definitions of
realty hat fall outside the mainstream materal view.



“In order to be a clear as possible, we ty to use “I sttements” when speaking
to the group This helps ut avoid misunderstandings, and invokes trust ard sere
sitivity,

+ Wve try to pay attention to repeating patterns in each other's lives. in order to
‘deny root causes. We try to notice common themes and roles that we play
‘out together as a group,

1 To create trust we respect confidentialty. The group decides on what level of
disclosure and openness outside the group we want.

This is a wor



in progress.We need everyone's feedback and ideas
of how to improve our efforts and strengthen our group. And
as we meet, keep in mind that there are many other
People gathering like this to build community support
networks with a vision of a new wortd.

3)


A Glimpse of The Icarus Project Now
Summer 2006

‘These days The Icarus Project is supported by a
network of madfolks and alles all over the world,
and is organized on a national level by a collecuve of
four incredibly dedicated activists, artists, musicians,
and writers, Support groups are germinating on
both coasts the website has over 2500 reyistered
‘members, our book Navigating the Space Between
Briliance and Madness is in its Sth printing, and lcarus
hhat a major presence in New York City institutions
anging from NYU to Fountan House We are all
doing our best to follow our own paths and learn
‘what it means to each of us to be healthy.

‘One great thing about the Icarus Project is that caring
for each other is our work too: were a support group
as well as an organizing effort and were focused

‘on creating a new way of working together where
‘productivity’ does not have to eclipse ‘vulnerability’
‘We can be fully human, with all our pain and crisis and
suffering, while still forming pare of a collective effort.
We try to keep it timed so that at least two people
are stable while others are on the mania-depression-
schizocoaster, but occasionally the calendars don't
syne and we all go down, or hit orbit, together. High
Points help break the gloom: news that an learus
Fadio show had mace it to broadcast all the way in
New Zealand, getting a new website member posting
about the mysteries of psychosis ~ from India (!), and
plans to travel to New Orleans to do solidarity work.

Over the last year, we've witnessed the expansion of
the Icarus Project from a largely web-based system of
Support to a growing network of radical folks doing
eer support work in their local communities. This,
year we have indivicually and collectively participated
in and co-organized dozens of tak and workshops,
‘nurtured many local events, and sold out of the fourth
printing of our reader. Many hands have collaborated
‘on writing, editing, and designing the book you hold
in your hands. which is finally eurning into the much
awaited fruit of our collective efforts! We hope it
helps you!

32,

One great

thing about the
Icarus Project is
that caring for
each other is
our work too:
we're a support
group as well as
an organizing
effort, and we're
focused on
creating a new
way of working
together where
‘productivity’
does not have
to eclipse
“vulnerability?
We can be fully
human, with
all our pain

and crisis and
suffering, while
still forming
part of a
collective effort.
Getin Touch With The Icarus Project

Facing a problem with getting your group going, navigating some confusing
territories or having a hard time knowing where to take the next step! Have
questions or ideas about local organizing? The learus Project community is a
network of people supporting exch other.Get in touch! iy



On the web

werw.theicarusproject.net

By e-mail

General inquiries:

info @theicarusprojectnet

To join local mental health
‘organizing projects in your
area and/or collaborate

on this guide, write to:
support@theicarusproject net

By Mail

Write to:The Icarus Proiect

lo Fountain House, Education Unit
425 West 47th street

New York. NY 10036





Join our online
community

ro:
herpillwww.theicarusproject.

neticommunity!
discussionboardy/


=



Think of the gift in your hands as a book of magic
Spells. It could help you conjure up the world you
want to see, 4

———_____ ee
{eve ovdlined a bunch of ideas to help you gather people together
{o start exploring all the brilliance and confusion we hold insiee. We
Nope hese suggestions spark you to stare talking yeling. creaming
dancing, making art. and collaborating on changing the world arsuny
you We hope you make ie a lsde less gray and lonely and cold,
‘We hope you find words forall the pieces of you. even the jagged
‘ones full of scars, and we hope you can put them together with the
Sommunity around you and discover that you are not actualy alone.
“There are so many of us out here and waire waiting for you te oun
us in all your crooked beauty and madness,

$e

re