Here's the rub- by putting out an opinion about mental health care, especially one that supports traditonal psychiatry and the use of psychotropic medication you will be a lighting rod for those with opposing agendas. Most people who have responded well to mental health care don't have axes to grind- they are out living their lives well as you are.
I happen to think that your comic attitude and sensibilty is extremely smart AND extremely funny. I also think that making people laugh is a major contribution to "the betterment of the world". Ultimately you will have to decide which is a better fit for you- although I do have a great script concept about a guy who comments on a mental health site and his wacky neighbors.
In the end attending to what is best for you is the only way it will work. I struggle with the same stuff daily too.

LS,

The way I see it is that you don't have to make one genre of video to the exclusion of another. I did not find your humorous videos self-indulgent at all. In fact, they were well-conceived, thought out, and plain funny. I tend to visit your blog from work and those videos brought some much-needed relief to a dreary workday. I wish you would create more -- I just assume the different genres represent different aspects of your personality.

Regarding the point of any "YouTube" videos, I must confess to watching a woman on "YouTube" last night which solely showed the hostess creating a grilled-cheese sandwich. Mind you this was not a gourmet, one-of-a-kind recipe, it was your standard, run-of-the-mill sandwich. Why did I watch? I have no idea, but I did watch the entire video. And enjoyed it.

You didn't mention that "Herb of VNS Depression" is strongly pushing a treatment alternative to ECT for treatment resistant therapy. He also owns stock in the company which has developed the technology.

Thank you for making and posting the YouTube video referred to above. I both admire and honour your courage in expressing these sentiments. You present a very important message that will save lives! At some point a stand must be taken and people educated. As a person who lives with bipolar disorder, I am in full agreement that medication is absolutely necessary, as the cornerstone of a holistic strategy, for successful treatment of my illness.

So what if some videos you do are self-indulgent. MOST of the user-generated content on the web is. (I guess it's true that the paticapatory culture is really here.) There's no reason you can't occasionally have fun with it if that's what you want to do, and the positive self-esteem you suggest does better the world - yours. The positive effect the viewer will get out of that is that you will become more comfortable in front of the camera when you are doing your more serious videos. This can only help your mission.

HS,

First I’ll point out to you that I’m attracted to Liz’s site because I find her communication skills and approach to a very serious subject different and reasonably well done and enlightening otherwise I would not have been drawn back to the site.

I hopefully explained clearly my objection to her video ECT presentation which simply evolved around the word “I” instead of “you”. Simply in my sharing I make an effort to share what “I” had experienced and avoid telling “you” what to do.

Using your logic and reasoning should I assume and allege that the ads placed on Liz’s site is her way of pushing those products?

I’ll re-quote Liz for you:

“Don't believe everything ... er, anything ... you read.”

I find it extremely interesting how people arrive at conclusions, prosecute, try, judge and convict all in one posting lacking any real knowledge.

While I’ll allow you to think whatever it is that you want or makes you feel comfortable I’ll also share the following with you:

http://vnsdepression.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109

Lastly, I’ll reply to your statement “strongly pushing a treatment alternative to ECT for treatment resistant therapy” is incorrect. It is incorrect as we use ECT as part of my spouse’s treatment regimen as an adjunctive therapy when necessary. Then again, how would know as you obviously haven’t researched or read all too carefully. Maybe I’ll change my website offering to discuss subjects from a negative standpoint about the numerous failed and refractory treatments and therapies we’ve utilized and spend my time bashing or calling for the banning of those therapies since they did not work for my spouse. I read these kinds of advocacy and postings on a number of other websites.

Sorry, but I’ll continue my proactive efforts to educate especially about those subjects I am knowledgeable of and have researched as well as experienced as a support person and allow you to make all the innuendos you care to.

I’ll refer you back to Liz’s quote.

Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com

To meaningfully incorporate social justice is kind of a lot to ask of a home video, but I guess your last few did kind of do that. I wouldn't disparage the value of the earlier videos though -- I think they were sort of like "small talk". They helped your readers to get to know you better. I think I felt a little more connectedness to you because of them.

Reading the responses to the last video, I can see why some of them would make you feel vulnerable. But you did a good job of responding to them. How anyone could possibly think it's not mean to tell someone they "look brain-damaged" is beyond me. I think they would have to have an extreme defecit of empathy to say that and not be aware that they are being mean.

I don't think there's any legitimate objection to someone wanting to use those drugs for themselves as long as they're not trying to force them on anyone who doesn't want them, and as long as the person taking them is well-informed as to the risks and benefits. (I tried to say something like that in my comment as "Rumplestilskin99"). The freedom to choose psych drugs for oneself doesn't necessarily have to imply a lack of freedom to refuse them by someone else.