I've always believed that skateboarding was something special. It's a creative form of movement that enables us to express ourselves physically, like dance or gymnastics.

It's also a creative way to interact with man-made obstacles that I think is inherently political. The other day I went out for a skate with Mike Crowley, a longtime skateboarder whose sport of choice eventually led to an interest in affecting public spaces and programs as an activist.

He had some interesting things to say (and some smooth skate maneuvers to show off as well)-- check the video!

Crowley is one of many organizers for The Icarus Project, an alternative mental health support network in cities and on college campuses around the nation.

The Icarus Project is an organization that aims to avoid taking hard stances on issues like anti-psychotic medications, instead fostering a community that exists online and on-the-ground to facilitate safe, judgment-free discussion of mental health and related issues.

Mental health, like all other kinds of health, is a highly personalized issue. Those who are deemed dangerous or insane by medical authorities, however, have historically been absent from conversations about how to most effectively treat or even identify persons with mental health problems.

The Icarus Project's goal is to give voice to those who are excluded, by distributing art and writing, organizing support meetings, and holding informational events.

Photo Courtesy of Mike

 

Check out the Icarus website, and dive into their huge archive of discussions, articles, and even downloadable pamphlets. Maintaining a healthy mind is just as important (and often difficult) as keeping your heart, lungs, or limbs in shape.

The mental health of our neighbors affects our own lives, and ours affects them. A non-judgmental mental health community is a valuable resource for bettering all of our lives.