The past few days have all been about going back to basics. Basic explanations about incredibly complex subjects. Basic ideas that will be the cornerstones of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy. And the basic fact that I really need to put my mental health first, and consciously focus on self-care. Back to basics: Providing information I’ve been focusing a lot on providing basic information about incredibly complex subjects. After things like the difference between mental health and mental illness in general, then delving into the basics of mental illness, now it’s time to try and…
Tag: mental illness
Why do I write about mental illness and trauma?
Why do I write about mental illness and trauma? I’ve been asked that a lot lately. Most people appreciate the information, but don’t really understand why I write. “Shouldn’t you be…?” followed by a huge list of things they think I need to do, or “isn’t too painful?”, they ask. And just like I wrote in my review of Broken by Jenny Lawson, aka the Bloggess, yes there are things that are probably more “useful”, but writing is necessary for my mental health. It’s a way to cope with my mental illness. “Wait a minute,” some of you might think….
Week in Review 2 – I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late
For all you Alice in Wonderland fans, I’m sure you recognize this. The White Rabbit running around with his pocket watch, hurriedly exclaiming, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late!”. The whole I planned and God laughed theme just kept right on, right onning, this week. So here’s the week in review week 2. Or more accurately, the week in review part 2.5 because, well, I’m late. The Foundation The good The biggest news: The site has finally migrated to WordPress. Of course I would’ve built this site directly in WordPress if I hadn’t listened to the “authority”. I…
Week in Review 1 – I planned and God Laughed
The short version: yes the first week was successful – both for the Jeffry Stijn Foundation and me personally. But it came with a LOT of unexpected twists and turns! What’s that saying? We plan and God laughs? For the first week of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation my plans were pretty simple. Basic start-up things needed for any new venture. Begin the process of incorporating the foundation at the notary. Pay the deposit for the notary. Put on paper the ideas that have been rattling around in my brain for more than a decade as the basis for things such…
The discussion on human rights with the permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations | part 1
(part 1 of 2) I was so excited when I saw the ad of the University of Aruba announcing that Mr. Bekkers, permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, was in Aruba, and that he wanted to meet with community members to engage in a meaningful conversation about human rights and a stimulating discussion. Just the day before the Human Rights Council held its annual debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Focusing on Support Systems to Ensure Community Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. Woohoo, I thought! That’s me, and the people I advocate…
4 Years and 9 months for an online intake for possible fitting treatment
I have cPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder). I have probably suffered from it since pre-school. Though I was treated in my mid twenties for PTSD in the Netherlands (e.g. my acute traumatic experiences), I was not diagnosed with cPTSD till 2019. It’s taken 4 years and 9 months to get to an online intake for possible fitting treatment abroad. I realized I was heading toward a complete breakdown halfway through 2018. I informed my employer, and asked to come up with solutions in order to prevent said break down. My boss suggested I quit. I protected myself and called…
Why Jeffry Stijn?
The reactions to my inaugural blog post have been incredibly overwhelming. The positive feedback and touching personal outreach has exceeded more than anything I could have hoped or wished for. The question most asked is: “why Jeffry Stijn?” The name Jeffry Stijn Foundation is a tribute to two of my cousins. Both intelligent, witty, social and empathic. Both seemingly successful and well adjusted. Interested in a wide range of subjects and experiences. Being an only child, and not having been raised in the same country consistently with family at all, these two were the first ones that FELT like family…
A perfect inaugural day
Today was a day of firsts. The first forms filled out for the incorporation of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation. The first pages of its site live. The first emails sent and received bearing a logo. The first day I became the founder of something I truly and passionately believe in. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Julie, I live in Aruba. Though I am Dutch by birth, I’m international by parentage and past residency. I love dancing, reading and writing. I love learning new things. My home is besieged by pets, filled with books, surrounded by greenery. My…