I would describe the challenges of the past year, some of them sad and painful, and some of them wonderful and validating, but the point of my blog is to help to remove the stigma from the words mental illness,not to provide a diary of the details of my own journey. However, I will tell you that all of these challenges coming one after the other , both the good and the bad, made the journey of the past year difficult. And yet, I have made it through, almost intact, by putting one foot in front of the other, and asking for help when I needed it.
Although taking a pause in writing for my blog, I did continue to read articles and listen to interviews about mental health issues. I realized that there are a lot of people thinking and talking about the stigma of mental illness, and how that stigma is keeping many people from getting the help they need. That ongoing conversation helps me believe that we are on a path that will lead us to a kinder and gentler world for mental health sufferers.
People are increasingly talking about mental health. One of the points that is being made repeatedly is that getting help for a mental illness is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. They are asserting that anyone, from any country, with any kind of socio-economic background, with any kind of job, with any kind of public recognition, with any kind of family, with any kind of profession, with any kind of financial resources, can be touched by a mental health illness. Just as with any other illness in this world, mental health illness knows no boundaries, and all men and women are equally susceptible.
Below you will find a list of some of the many organizations that can provide help to those who are touched by mental illness and would like to find a path to achieving wellness:
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Anxiety Musings 