Share your story – Bill Boutin

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a writer and mental health advocate, former electronics technician, 61 years old, married with three adult children, our oldest died from cancer a few years ago.

What mental health challenges have you experienced?

I have had problems with emotions, anger, and depression most of my life. I was also misdiagnosed for most of my life until Autistic Spectrum Disorders were better understood. I have a lot of difficulty connecting with other people.

How did you get support for your mental illness?

I have been in many programs over the years, some better than others. My wife has always been supportive, others not so much. There is a lot of stigma, especially since I was always so verbal and self expressive people just thought I should be able to “behave” better. I used to work in electronics repairing telephone equipment and the like.  That worked for me because I could see results of my work and didn’t have to deal with other personalities too much. My writing and music helps me as well, keeping busy and trying to use my talents to help other people. I currently am fortunate enough to be able to see a pastoral counselor for individual therapy; he is a godsend. Many others are not so fortunate. Medication has not been very helpful for me.

Anything further you would like to share?

I used to be part of a theatre troupe called the Second Step Players of Norwich Ct., that used theatre to educate the community about mental illness, reduce stigma, and provide therapy and meaningful activity for survivors. I have been trying to get a similar project going here in Ohio for the last 20 years with mixed results. There is still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding, and need for meaningful work and creative therapy for survivors. I have been sharing my writing and advocacy online now since around 2010.  My blog is at http://creativesanitycom.blogspot.com/

If you have a mental health story to share, please click here.  Your story may inspire, encourage or save a life!

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About The Author

Defying Mental Illness

Chuck and Zoe are the founders of Defying Mental Illness (DMI), a Community Interest Company. Guest bloggers have played a very enriching role in making this website a highly recognized website for mental health advocacy. To contribute a blog, please contact us.

Defying Mental Illness – Put a Full Stop, is an organization with a mandate to reach out to those faced with mental health challenges to help them not only defy the disease, but also put a full stop to the stigma and discrimination. Chuck and Zoe are often invited to speak on various platforms including radio and television.

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