Change of Web Host

As part of our continued improvements to both ELPsych! and DisabledPeople.org, we have migrated both sites across to a new, UK based Web Host.  Hopefully this will make the site management side a little easier.

For readers, we have added a few little features that make it easier for you to follow both sites.

• Twitter – Both ELPsych! and DisabledPeople.org can be followed on Twitter by navigating to http://twitter.com/DisabledPeople.  Any updates to either site will be Tweeted immediately.
• If you would prefer to receive updates by email, simply pop your address into the box, top right.  You’ll get a confirmation email from Feedburner asking you to “Opt-In”.  If you change your mind later, there is an “Unsubscribe” link in every email.
• You can also use our Feed in your favourite Feed Reader.  Click the big orange square top right.
• Finally, you can get all my update, including my personal blog at http://meJamie.com

Hopefully this makes it a little easier for everyone to find our content.  Remember, you’re more than welcome to comment as well!

The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive

The BBC website features a section called Ouch.  It is aimed at disabled people and in the main, is written by disabled people too.  In my opinion, one of the best bits of the site is their podcast (now referred to as a “Talk Show”.  This is a monthly offering available for download.

For some reason I’ve fallen behind with my listening, so I’ve just heard a recording from early this summer featuring an interview of Mental Health blogger Seaneen.  She has written her blog “Mentally Interesting: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive” for several years, recording her experiences of Bipolar Disorder and the Mental Health system.  The reason for the interview was that her blog had been turned into a play for Radio 4 called “Do’s and Dont’s for the Mentally Interesting”

New Link Category

Whilst reading Seaneen’s blog and clicking through a few of the other blogs she links to on her site, I thought that this is really a resource we should be looking at more closely.  Many of the articles I’ve read are very personal in nature but they are also very valuable in helping others to understand what is going on.  There is a wealth of personal experience documenting advice tips, explanations of procedures and theories about how services can be developed and improved.  This, combined with the personal feelings and emotions involved makes compelling and educational reading.  I’m sure it could also offer comfort and support to others experiencing similar emotional roller-coasters.

So, I’ve started a Blogroll in the traditional sense.  A list of blogs written by people with a “Lived Experience” of Mental Health problems or possibly people with experience of the Mental Health system that have something to say about that experience.

I don’t want to censor or discriminate.  If you know of a blog you feel should be on our list, let me know and I’ll add it.  Give me your reasons and I’ll try to add an article too!