Roce hc eer e Dist Publisher & Distributor P.O. Box 721 Homewood, 60430 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 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