The spring season is a genesis of new beginnings, re-awakenings, and fresh starts. Life at Magpie Media fits the season aptly as we begin to engage in many exciting changes and challenges.
New MagazineThe highly anticipated birth of our newest mental health magazine,
Anchor: Conquering Depression, has been realized, with the recently published premier Spring 2008 edition. Packed with regular story lines relating to depressive disorders amongst children, men, women, teens, over 50, and the workplace, its motivating and educational content is of the same high calibre that you've come to expect in its sister publication,
Schizophrenia Digest.
Our hope is to reach out to those suffering the anguish of depression while on their road to recovery with a publication that will become a trusted source of knowledge, help, and hope. With nearly 15-million people in North America suffering from depressive disorders, we are thrilled to produce a quarterly magazine that may act as a lifeline to someone who feels they are drowning in a sea of sadness. Meant to offer support, inspiration, tips on healthy living, medical and scientific updates, coping strategies, and treatment options,
Anchor: Conquering Depression is a much needed resource in the world today where we aspire to find a receptive audience of individuals, health care professionals, caregivers, and mental health workers.
Be sure to navigate toward our new website at
www.anchormag.com to read the first cover story about singer/songwriter Amy Sky and her spiral into depression instigated by post partum depression. While there, explore the site to learn depression facts and stats, view interesting links and upcoming events, or inquire about online and mail order subscriptions.
About Our Cover StoryOur second 2008 edition of
Schizophrenia Digest marks the passage into a new season as we delve into the controversial topic of orthomolecular science as it relates to the treatment of schizophrenia. Writer Paul Forsyth jumps into a hot topic of scientific controversy as he explores this alternative medical treatment which aims to restore metabolic imbalances and deficiencies using natural remedies such as vitamins, minerals, hormones, trace elements amino acids and essential fatty acids.
His well-researched story
"Orthomolecular Medicine: Can vitamins help those that medications have failed?" presents a balanced discourse into this treatment option, including mainstream science's scepticism of orthomolecular medicine. While my personal course of treatment responded favourably to medications, there are others for whom medicine has not proven so effective. If the orthomolecular approached, combined with psychiatric medication works, then perhaps we're on the cusp of a more integrated approach into the treatment of mental illness. I believe that whatever gives us hope and brings us closer to a cure needs to be examined, and regardless of your stance on the issue, I am sure you'll find Paul's article an educational and interesting read.
Let's Talk About it CampaignThis spring we’re excited to be a part of a new advocacy campaign called: Let’s Talk About It.
For more details at this time, click to
www.letstalkaboutit.ca Magpie's Newest WebsiteAs part of our marketing strategy we've been busy cultivating a brand new website which provides a one-stop mental health shop. Drop by
www.magpiemags.com to get an overview of Magpie Media's offerings including magazine subscriptions, mental health and Christian testimony DVDs, magazine bulk orders, and free newsletters. We're also happy to announce our involvement with
Recover Resources, an enterprise completely owned and operated by persons in recovery from mental illnesses (
www.recoverresources.com). The goal of the business is to offer a variety of the best recovery-oriented materials (books, CDs, DVDs, posters, etc.) and speaker services at the lowest possible prices. Check out their link to discover products and services that can help those in need of support, hope and courage to create a better life.
My Speaking ScheduleAs a husband, father, and publisher of two magazines, my agenda is in a constant state of upheaval and change -- especially with the increased number of speaking engagements that have sprung up my calendar this year. Over the next few months my public speaking arena will broaden as guest speaker at:
- April 15, 2008: St. Catharines Rotary Club, Ontario, Canada
- May 1, 2008: Butler, Pennsylvania
- May 14, 2008: Erie, Pennsylvania
In addition our Magpie team will be attending the American Psychiatric Association's Annual conference (Washington DC ) in May, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Convention (Orlando, Florida) in June. However, there is always room for one more commitment. If you are interested in booking me as a guest speaker at your next meeting or conference to discuss my personal journey into mental illness and the steps to recovery, I'd be happy to add you to our engagement roster. Call 1-866-672-3038 or
email me.
In ConclusionAs we settle into spring and move toward the summer phase, it's important to remember that we all need help in our daily struggles, no matter who we are. Whether we're someone with a mental illness or a relative of someone with a mental illness, no one is exempt. But new beginnings allow us to mark "today" as a new day to look positively ahead on the road to recovery.
Sincerely,
Bill MacPhee
CEO/Founder
