James Bellmore (Jimi) is reaching out to the community to share his endeavor to educate professionals by offering his personal perspective about living with mental illness. Jimi hopes to continue to grow his motivational speaking by extending his services to more providers locally. Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) has been utilizing Jimi’s presentations to support new providers upon orientation monthly. Consistently HAM gets the feedback that he is the best part of the orientation process and truly outlines the needs of our consumers with real examples.

So far, Jimi has reached over 3,000 providers. Jimi currently speaks for the CMMC residency program annually, Ascentria Community Alliance and HAM on a monthly basis; Jimi shares his experiences with providers as a person who was diagnosed with schizophrenia unspecified type in 1976. Jimi went into remission in 2003- having no psychotic symptoms. He had a brief relapse in 2013 but because of his previous experiences was able to reach out to supports and go into remission again quickly.  He attributes his success to understanding his triggers and managing them, to having a great network of friends he considers his family, and honoring his friends and experiences through painting. He helps others by his example. Jimi wants to continue to reach providers, educate them on what it is like to be a consumer, as well as, how to look for and encourage recovery. He also shares how to support consumers with relationships, how to not judge lifestyles and individual choices, and engage consumers in hobbies. It is through his story Jimi is able to express constructive criticism that resonates with the providers.

During his engagements, he explains how he had good providers, not so good providers and amazing natural supports, referred to as “street people” who were often discouraged by his providers. Jimi recalls his “homies” being the biggest part of his recovery and offering encouragement and he often turned to this support even when providers thought they were the wrong crowd. Jimi first and foremost reminds providers that natural supports are the people that consumers can turn to all of the time. These relationships are crucial to success so do not talk badly about people’s friends and offend them. Second, he states, “don’t look for recovery and then deny it!” Jimi found at times that his medication and counseling providers would look to identify and treat symptoms when he it was clear he was in recovery. Third, he suggests that providers,  “be honest and compassionate, be real, do not trick, do not go in with a desired outcome, listen to the consumer and work on their goals; tell the consumer about mandates, answer questions and listen to feedback”. 

Jimi continues to look for ways to grow his motivational speaking opportunities and share his experiences to help shape the future of mental health care and bring a consumer perspective to the discussion at local agencies. Jimi can be reached for additional questions and scheduling for speaking engagements at bellmorejames61@gmail.com

Below is Jimi pictured with Health Affiliates Maine staff as he donates art work that he has created as a reminder of the work he is doing with Health Affiliates Maine Staff.

Posted on October 18, 2017by Author Randy Runnelsin Categories News

(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) October 4 – October 10, 2015 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Health Affiliates Maine a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Maine are both calling on the public to learn the symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and to “go stigma free”.

To “go stigma free”, is to see the person, not the illness; to listen and to understand. “It is also a time to free everyone from stereotypes that too often discourages people from getting help when they need it.” says Executive Director, Andrea Krebs of Health Affiliates Maine.

One in five adults experience mental illness every year; however, 50 percent of chronic mental illness begins by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Although many people today understand that mental illness is a medical condition, individuals and families affected by mental illness are still often subjected to stigma and discrimination.  “This is a time to raise public awareness about mental illness,” says Krebs, “NAMI and Health Affiliates Maine hope everyone will educate themselves about mental illness and share what they learn with family, friends and others.”

NAMI Maine provides support, education and advocacy for any individual affected by mental health concerns. Find out more by visiting www.namimaine.org or by contacting the Help Line at (800) 464-5767.  Health Affiliates Maine offers a variety of mental health services, to make a referral, an appointment or for more information about Health Affiliates Maine call 1-877-888-4304 or visit www.healthaffiliatesmaine.com.

Posted on October 5, 2015by Author Danielle Beckwithin Categories News