Today, 12th May 2020, sees the 4th annual International #EmergingProud day commemorated virtually around the globe. This year, however, is all about honouring the history of the movement; a nod of gratitude to all of the dedication from those who have pledged to Emerge Proud for the cause, and those who have hosted or taken part in activities which have given the campaign its solid roots.

From this year onwards, these roots will be growing further outwards and intertwining with the solid foundations of other visionary movements, in order that in collaboration we can create an even stronger network of nutrient exchange, mutual support and envision the emerging world on the other side of this pandemic- induced ‘falling apart’ we are currently amidst …

This blog will contain;

• A reminder of the free live online events happening TODAY!
• An overview of the project
• A look at the happenings to date; the magical history of the movement
• Information about where we’re headed; what’s next?
• Another reminder of the free live online events happening TODAY!
• A video message from me, Katie, Founder of the #EmergingProud movement

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING LIVE TODAY, AND HOW YOU CAN JOIN IN

Let’s start at the beginning; What’s it all about?

#EmergingProud is a not-for-profit, Grassroots Social Movement

Aimed at: Re- framing ‘madness’ as a possible catalyst for positive transformation 

How could it be more timely to honour this sentiment?

Our ethos: 

#Emerging Proud is ultimately a campaign about providing hope; that breaking down does not mean we are broken; it means that we can be amidst a difficult journey to ‘breakthrough’. In the same way that the caterpillar completely dissolves before emerging as a butterfly from its chrysalis, the human ‘emergence’ process can look exactly the same. #Emerging Proud aims to add to the voices aiming to create a society in which it feels safer to speak out about our extreme experiences without fear of being told there is something wrong with us, or that we are “crazy”.

 #Emerging Proud acknowledges, in equal measure, both the extreme crisis and positive transformation potential contained in the ‘emergence’ process; what we consider important, is to shift the focus away from something being ‘wrong’, to the growth potential, deep meaning and wisdom that chaos and crisis can contain.

Our history – what has happened so far? 

In October 2016 I was given the guidance during a meditation to start a new Human Rights Campaign to normalise mental distress. I took logic out of the equation and just went with my intuition; the rest is history… well, His STORY, Her STORY, many people’s STORIES all over the world.

Between Oct 2016 and May 2017 a website was set up, a blog was started, stories were collected from people who resonated with the ethos of the campaign and wanted to provide hope to others who may be going through a difficult transformation. Interviews were conducted online and the #EmergingProud film was made with no funding, just through people with shared passions coming together to share their personal journeys, art, music and dedicated time… it was a film made with love birthed through pain ❤

On the 12th May 2017, 17 film screening and discussion launch events were facilitated throughout 12 countries with the focus on Open Spaces to discuss the question;

“Rethinking Madness: How can we create a society in which it’s safe to talk about our ‘madness’?”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FILM 

We are HUGELY eternally grateful to all of the Organisers and Attendees in all of these locations whose efforts have created such a solid foundation for the movement ❤

To read the full report from these launch events,

CLICK HERE 

• Overview: Main focus points of action needs highlighted at an International level
• • INCREASED SAFE SPACES FOR LISTENING / SHARING / PEER SUPPORT
  • CHANGE IN LANGUAGE USED: EDUCATION TO NORMALISE DISTRESS
  • AUTHENTIC STORY SHARING AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
  • PEER SUPPORT: LIVED EXPERIENCE IS VITAL IN SUPPORTING THE PROCESS
  • BRIDGE -BUILDING WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: TO EDUCATE IN THIS
    ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE
  • VALUE OF HOLISTIC METHODS OF HEALING
  • COLLABORATION TO REDUCE ISOLATION OF VISION; LOCALLY + INTERNATIONALLY

Bongo, Uganda, Africa, said: “Sharing stories of experiencers is not a new thing with HEARTSOUNDS members as it’s what service users have in common…however, on the International #EmergingProud day, participants realized that they were experiencing similar challenges with other Mental Health Participants globally.”

A decrease in feelings of isolation for people experiencing extreme spiritual experiences is vital and this is one outcome the Campaign aims to achieve.

More history to honour! 

The dedicated Brazilian team who have been involved since the very beginning have  provided their own personal history and update for you, so watch out for the next blog coming later today to read all about their Rethinking Madness Movement and how it’s all coming together…

Later in 2017 also saw one of our original Proud Emergees, Anne-Kirstine Klitmark from Denmark, submit her Masters Thesis containing research on the stories in the campaign;

Grounding Spirituality and Transformation in Health Communication; Mending the Gap between Spirituality and Psychiatry – An analysis of narratives in the International #Emergingproud Campaign

What an honour, thank you Anne-Kirstine ❤

#EmergingProud continues to be featured in various academic research studies worldwide, and it’s thanks to each and every person who has dared to stand proud and make this possible… Together you are helping moves towards better understanding and much- needed change.

2018 International events 

Volunteers #Emerged Proud and shared their personal stories across 14 countries

Over 600 people attended these global events

In 2018 the focus was on the impact of personal story- sharing, and we collaborated with The Outsiders who invented ‘SoMe’; a mechanism for facilitating 1-1 conversations about specific social, community or environmental issues. The concept used the things that work well in online social media to bring people together in face-to-face discussion. At an event there are three SoMe spaces: The Wall, The Chat Room and The Message Board. The ‘trending topic’ of the day was;

‘Reframing mental distress as a possible transformation process’

Volunteers who resonated with having experienced their own crisis as a catalyst for a meaningful life transformation engaged in conversations with interested strangers with the aim to change perceptions that being diagnosed with a mental illness can actually lead to the start of a new, more positive and authentic life…

CLICK HERE TO READ the moving feedback and see the pictures received from the event Organisers and Attendees all over the world at the end of the day…

Our 2019 #EmergingProud day saw a LIVE book launch event for the first Pocket Book of Hope in our KindaProud series

 

 

Watch the recording of the online event HERE

 

2019; We started a not-for-profit

Publishing Company! 

The KindaProud stories of Hope and Transformation series was birthed in May 2019, and to date, 64 inspirationally brave Contributors have shared their personal stories in publications by #EmergingProud Press  over these 4 titles; 

#EmergingProud through NOTES

#EmergingProud through Disordered Eating, Body Image and Low Self Esteem 

#EmergingProud through Suicide

#EmergingProud through Trauma and Abuse 

Proceeds from book sales go towards distributing FREE books to those in need. We are delighted that, thanks to your purchases, so far over 480 FREE Pocket Books have delivered HOPE to people all over the world; please keep supporting our not-for-profit venture by buying the books in order that we can continue to help others, thank you ❤ 

Our planned titles for 2020 are;

Eye Inspire; #EmergingProud through Eye Sight Loss

Muslims #EmergingProud through Mental Distress

#EmergingProud through Psychosis and Schizophrenia

So WHAT’s NEXT? 

It’s been a busy 4 months for us, planning our biggest collaboration to date. It’s time for #EmergingProud to join forces with a bigger movement for social change…

*Drumroll*

As from Sept 2020, #EmergingProud will be merging with Co-Creating Europe’s Caravan of Unity 

 

1-21 SEPTEMBER 2020 | ONLINE AND IN-PERSON | TOGETHER ACROSS EUROPE, in collaboration with UNITY EARTH’s CARAVAN

1.) 7.30am PT / 3.30pm UK / 4.30pm CET

DEACTIVATE YOUR STRESS; FREE LIVE ONLINE HAVENING SESSION HOSTED BY JOINHER

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE

2.) 11am Central Time (US and Canada), 5pm BST, 6pm CET

Emerging Proud Day LIVE Gathering of Light Meditation

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR FREE PLACE

3.) 11am Pacific Time, 7pm UK, 8pm CET

LIVE ONLINE GROOVE SESSION, HOSTED BY AMY WOODS

Join in the Zoom Meeting room at 7pm on Tuesday 12th May

Amy’s GROOVE sessions will be a monthly event – watch the bog to find out the date of her next shimmy sesh!

I look forward to connecting online today – In Solidarity, Unity and Peace, Katie ❤ 

Additional offerings;

Also starting today;

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JULIAN OF NORWICH, fortnightly story series hosted by ISISIALLTHINGS – watch out for the blog coming later today!

Akasha Yoga session hosted by Jordana; DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, THIS SAT IS CANCELLED DUE TO SICKNESS 

Akasha is in the throat chakra, which holds space for the elements of earth, water, fire, and air, uniting them in their diversity into the one space of ether. Yoga is Union. In Akasha Yoga we unite the feminine with the masculine, accepting and loving unconditionally our shadow by shedding the light of our soul on it. When we can embrace both our darkness and our light we become whole human beings, transcending the war of duality and uniting in peace and Oneness from within and throughout.

What you will need;

Please make sure you have a warm, peaceful space with a good internet connection, a yoga mat, a blanket and cushion, some water and only practice as far as your body will allow. This session is about being loving and kind with yourself, no pushing beyond your limits.

Meditations of Light Series, a fortnightly message

Hosted by Denise (ISISI ALL THINGS) and Sandy Veneziani.

Sign up to Denise and Sandy’s channel Peaceful Minds, HERE 

 

And finally,  a little message from me to you…

The Caravan of Unity is open to ALL – please join in HERE 

Keep watching the blog to follow #EmergingProud’s transition into the Caravan of Unity,

My deepest gratitude for all of your much- appreciated support on our travels together to date, Katie ❤