[pct-l] mental health event for kick-off

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I think one tiny aspect of difficulty in readjusting is that nobody  
on Earth except other hikers understands what you have done. Most  
especially anybody in a healing profession. That means doctors,  
mental health professionals, sports professionals or anyone. If you  
can find a mental health professional that has done a thru-hike,  
maybe they will have some insight, but I can't imagine one that has  
not will have much to offer of any real value.

On Mar 5, 2013, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Message: 29
> Date: Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:44:03 -0500
> From: "Ken Murray" <kmurray at dr.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] mental health event for kick-off
>
> Friends,
> I recently had a discussion with a last-year through hiker, in  
> which she related the tremendous problems she had with adjustment  
> when she returned to civilization. I realized that I've heard this  
> story before, and it is common. I also know that issues with the  
> mind are often the most common reasons for people to drop off the  
> hike.
> It occurred to me that a panel presentation on keeping one's head  
> straight during, and after, the hike might be of value to the  
> community. I ran it by Scott, who thought it would be worth a shot.
> So, in this first pass, I'm looking for any mental health  
> professionals (any level), who plans to be at the kick-off, and  
> might be willing to serve on such a panel. I'll moderate, and do  
> the heavy lifting in terms of organizing. I'll be asking for hikers  
> down the road, but this first request is just for mental health  
> professionals.
> kmurrayatdrdotcom