COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Mental Health - Consumer Advocate - "Agent of Change" After a very successful Rugby Union career as a Triple-International of 42 test-matches (Argentina, Tahiti & Australia) and after retiring from International rugby in 1987, Enrique 'Topo' Rodriguez found the biggest challenge he ever had to confront within his own life. In 1996 he had to learn about a whole "new ball game". He had lived with "Bipolar Disorder" un-diagnosed, suffering and not knowing it for 8 years. Topo was then diagnosed, medicated and treated (stabilised on and off) for the next 7 years. Nonetheless, in the last quarter of 2003, after an extended episode of mania he again fell into deep depression. In January 2004, John Konrad's story "Sink or Swim" in the Good Weekend magazine encouraged Topo to go for a 2nd opinion. He was then diagnosed for a 2nd time and under a new treatment plan and strategy has learnt many key points for managing this debilitating illness. Amongst these lessons were: • Overcoming the "stigma" of Bipolar disorder through EDUCATION. Stigma and Ignorance are "the evil twins". • The need for sufficient sleep and resting time; even the best engines have to stop and get serviced. • Exercising is another natural friend of mentally ill people. • The importance of trusting friends and learning to talk about the disorder with people you can trust; this can not be done alone! • We must learn to take control of our illness and not the other way around. • The need for regular on-going professional monitoring. • Personal Wellbeing Plans are a must to master Bipolar disorder. http://www.bipolar-edu.org/lifestyle-balance.htm Topo has learnt and is very conscious that Bipolar disorder doesn't discriminate. Therefore he wishes the whole world to know everything about Bipolar! Topo has become a fervent "Consumer Advocate" that enjoys sharing his experiences with community groups in order to help as many Bipolar or other mental illnesses sufferers as possible (youth in particular), hence arresting the incidence of suicide when possible. View presentation given at the Mental Health Summit - Sydney June 2010 Twenty per cent of the population (or 1 in 5) are likely to suffer from a Mental Illness. Topo said: "I'm a firm believer that, with an early diagnosis and under the proper treatment there is a lot of hope to lead a normally fulfilling life with Bipolar disorder". Topo has been involved with the following organisations, as an Ambassador and a Consumer Advocate • BLACK DOG INSTITUTE (NSW) trained as an Informed Supporter part of the Bipolar Education Program (online) 2005-2006 helping Bipolar sufferers to understand the illness. • Beyondblue (Vic) • Australian Rotary Health Research Fund • Connetica Consulting • Anglicare PHaMs inspire motivate achieve For an obligation free quote to assist your needs, please see contact details below E: info@toporodriguez.com - Ph: +61 412 403 304 - Fx: +61 (2) 8116 3111 - PO Box 4131, Carlton NSW 2218 Australia