| THE STRENGTH TO GO ON |
I will treat myself well...I do deserve it, I cannot expect too much from myself right now. I need to be proud of
how much I have accomplished when I make it through each day feeling this way. The pain will not last
forever. I am not going crazy. I will feel like myself again. I know that some of the pain I feel right now is part
of the recovery process. I didn't do anything to make this happen. Helena Bradford gave me these
affirmations, statements to make to oneself, on individual, beautiful, flowered cards in a small, yellow
envelope. Now, that I have your attention, I will get to her story later on.
When a person's thinking, emotions and ability to relate to others is affected in an abnormal way, this is
termed mental illness. According to the 2003 Report of the United States President New Freedom
Commission on Mental Health, compared to all other diseases, this is the most common disability in the
United States. 23% of adults in this country will suffer from a clinically, diagnosable illness in any give year
which almost equates to 1 out of every 4 Americans.
Mental illness has been attributed to organic/neurochemical causes, genetic heredity, traumatic life
experiences and learned experience which can alter one's brain chemistry. Mental disorders may not
always "be all in one's head" as is often thought. Some of the causes may be physical diseases, abnormal
levels of cortisol, lack of neurotransmitters such as, serotinin, norepinephine and dopamine, thyroid
problems, substance abuse and other factors.
Many means are available for the treatment of the above such as, drug therapy, psychotherapy with a
psychologist or qualified, mental health clinician, relaxation therapies and getting one's medical and l
lifestyle issues under control. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is pleased to announce the
formation of "NAMI Berkeley". NAMI is a grassroots, self-help support and advocacy organization for people
with mental illness and their families. The purpose of NAMI is to improve the quality of life and treatment for
people who suffer with mental illness and to help support the family members associated with this problem.
This is achieved through education, support and through the elimination of the stigma associated with
these disorders.
Mr. Eric Conklin, a Berkeley County resident, is the coordinator for "NAMI Berkeley". Eric is a family member
of someone with a serious mental illness. He, along with his family, is impacted by the tragedy of this illness.
As a direct result, he is now the single parent of three children. He knows first hand, the suffering and
hardships of that this disease brings to the afflicted person and to the entire family.
Through his own suffering, he understands the need for a support group for the victims and for the family
members. Although, Charleston NAMI is up and running, Eric realized that there is a great need for an
outreach program for Berkeley County. Eric is coordinating the partnership of businesses and other
organizations such as the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, Inc. to help accomplish this goal.
Now, let's go back to Helena Bradford's story. A sister organization of NAMI is the Ruth Rhoden Craven
Foundation located in Mount Pleasant. This organization was founded in 2000 by Helena Bradford, Elaine
Earl and Mary Anna Mullinax. The foundation was formed in memory of Ruth Craven, Mrs. Bradford's
daughter, a young mother who suffered from Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression affects 1 out
of 10 new mothers or approximately 700,000 American women. Postpartum mood disorders can occur
during and after pregnancy to include, depression and/or anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic
disorder, psychosis and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Two and half months after the birth of Ruth Craven's son, after three, suicide attempts, she succeeded in
taking her own life. Her family was devastated, hurt and angry, not understanding how a bright, young
mother at 33 years could fall into such a deep stated of depression and commit this senseless act.
They did not want her memory or her to have died in vain, or for any other family to have to suffer through
this tragic event. They decide to do something positive and form the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation.
The chairman, Helena Bradford, is a beautiful person who still feels the pain of her daughter's death. By
seeing the hurt in her eyes and hearing her calm words, one realizes her total dedication and commitment
to this cause.
Through her efforts and that of her associates, they educated new mothers to the fact that they are not
alone in their feelings and that there is help. They are helping to educated OB/GYN and other health care
providers to the seriousness of this problem and to a pre-pregnancy, risk assessment for women.
Some of the foundations accomplishments are the distribution of Breaking the Silence and the book
Beyond the Blues. The organization has donated copies to branches of the local libraries. They also
bi-monthly meetings in which the public is invited to attend.
Eric Conklin and Helena Bradford are exceptional people. They have both experienced tragic events which
has changed their lives forever. Nevertheless, they did not sit around and feel sorry for themselves.
Instead, they decided to press on and do something constructive and to help others, even with their own
loss. We should recognize, be grateful for and support the work of these individuals, who saw a need and
decided to do something to make life better for others.
