New Online Community for Mentally Ill, Brain Trauma Patients & their Caregivers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 21, 2011 -- BrainBeHappy.com, a new online community, is now available to support mentally ill patients, those suffering from complications due to brain trauma and those who care for them.

The founder of the BrainBeHappy.com community is Cathleen Spacil. A survivor of mental illness, having been diagnosed with dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder with agoraphobia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, Ms. Spacil also suffered memory loss from electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). As a result, she became an advocate for mentally ill and brain trauma patients.

Eight years ago, Ms. Spacil's daughter, Savannah, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor and its treatment destroyed a significant part of Savannah's hypothalamus, the gland that controls hunger and appetite. As a result, Savannah's body perceives it's in "starvation mode" all the time. Though many doctors predicted that Savannah would not survive, she has overcome the odds and is still living, despite the many challenges and obstacles she continues to face. Ms. Spacil credits her daughter's courage and positive attitude as the inspiration that led her to create BrainBeHappy.com.

The BrainBeHappy.com site is interactive, and offers forums that individual members can create or join. Each member who creates a profile has the opportunity to “friend” other participants and members can discuss issues and share day-to-day triumphs. The forums allow members who are going through similar challenges to connect with one another and benefit from the support they can give and receive.

One unique feature of the BrainBeHappy.com website is the The Happiness Corner. Ms. Spacil says, “In my experience, focusing on the brighter side of life helps things get a little easier and lightens our burdens. Happiness and laughter have helped to bring me through those times when I didn’t think I would make it one more day.”

The Happy Shop area of the BrainBeHappy.com website offers products to assist, entertain and support mentally ill and brain trauma patients and their caregivers. Some of the featured products include artwork created by disabled artists, including Ms. Spacil's daughter, Savannah.

Ms. Spacil is available online, via phone or Skype for interviews.

brain trauma     caregivers     ect     happiness     memory loss     mentally ill     ptsd     social network