Movement Components and Objectives

     The fundamentals of our campaign are simple; building on sociological principles that have dominated successful movements, we are to take a multi-tiered, responsive approach to mental illness awareness.

     First and foremost, the step for which the movement is named: Breaking Out. This step requires individuals affected by mental illness to tell those around them that this is a facet of their lives (keep in mind that you shouldn't do this for other people; they have to make the choice themselves). We need to make people aware that mental illness happens to those close to them, not some mysterious, inept stranger that we are represented as in the public eye. This is the hardest step of joining this movement, and we recognize this, but it is also the most important, the foundation on which our inevitable success will be built. We cannot enact any of our goals without this step's realization.

     Second: Reaching Out. We need to grow the size of our movement, and make those around us aware of this movement, allowing more of us to break the silence we suffer under. Each individual within the movement will not only talk about their own mental illness, but the necessity of those around them to Break Out as well, hopefully reaching as many people as possible, making us, consequently, more and more visible over time. This step is also fundamental to the success of our movement. With each person we light another ember in a spreading flame. With each person who joins us, we have another signal flare to light the way for two, for three, making more embers, more flares, more of the growing tide of light that we will sweep across the world until we cannot be missed.

     Third: Acting Out. Without stepping out of the molds set for us by society, we cannot affect the image those around us put over us like predefined stencils we need to fit in for their comfort. Though the first two steps are the principle methods by which our movement will be successful, it is still necessary to obtain some form of official, national recognition as a movement, and as a unified interest group. This is the final culmination of the movement, and may not truly be possible for quite some time, but this is where we will eventually be aiming to go.
If these steps sound possible to you, please, please join us. We need you, and we welcome you.

     This blog will be to showcase movement successes and stories submitted by our readers. Send any stories to the blog, and I'll pick a couple to put up every week. I may ask if I can edit it, but that will only be for fluidity and grammar, and I will try to preserve your message, as well as running it by you before posting it.