Is there life after mental illness? You bet there is. Just ask Ron Plecas.

A former RCMP officer and now Process Server, Ron first began to focus on the challenges of mental illness when his son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia twelve years ago.

As he began to research the subject, he learned that the Nanaimo Branch of the BC Schizophrenia Society was about to begin their recurring twelve-week Family-to-Family program. The program is aimed at those who support people with mental illness and deals with a variety of illnesses including schizophrenia.

By the time the program was over he had joined the society and, being the kind of enthusiastic "doer" that he is, soon became a director. It also didn't take long for him to take the training required to teach the Family-to-Family program, which he has taught ever since.

After volunteering with the Schizophrenia Society for seven years, Ron was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disease.

The first symptom was a depression that eventually led to anxiety attacks, mania, and finally psychosis, which included Delusions of Reference where he thought he was receiving messages from a variety of sources. This lasted for three months before he began to get his life under control again.

"It was a great learning experience," he laughs now, "but I don't recommend it to anyone!"

What this experience gave Ron, among many of his already existing strengths, was a total commitment to helping others with various forms of mental illness.

One of his first ideas - He has no shortage of ideas! - was to start a retail business that would hire people with mental illness and provide whatever support they would need to get back into the working world.

As he began researching the idea, the first two women he talked to were impressed but driven largely by discomfort and fear, both of them said pretty much the same thing.

"I don't think I'd shop there."

That message came through loud and clear to Ron and gave birth to his total commitment to do whatever he can to end the stigma and fear associated with mental illness.

This commitment led to the formation of Open Minds Open Windows, a society whose goal is to end the stigma associated with mental illness not only for the general public but also for those who have such an illness.

Getting people with mental illness out of their homes and relating to others is one of Ron's biggest goals, a goal that has led to the Thursday Wellness Program at Beban Park.

The program includes among other activities, pilates, yoga, walking groups, art therapy, horticulture, curling, dragon boating, guest speakers, and discussion groups.

The Open Minds Open Windows choir has been practicing every Friday under the direction of Ken Emter and will be featured at the third annual Open Minds Open Windows concert January 14 at the Port Theatre.

Produced by Joelle Rabu and Bill Hicks, this concert is a show not to be missed.

A lot of people are constantly telling Ron that for his own health he needs to slow down; however, as President and Founder of the Open Minds Open Windows Society, a director of the Nanaimo Branch of the BC Schizophrenia Society, teacher of their Family-to-Family program, Chair of the Nanaimo Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council, other unnamed volunteer commitments, and proprietor of his own full-time business, that's not likely to happen real soon.

When I asked about the most important lesson he has learned over the past few years, Ron was quick to respond.

"Be prepared to make mistakes," he told me. "I much prefer to be a doer even if it's wrong sometimes."

Is there life after mental illness? You be there is.