Celebrating and mental health almost seems contradictory because of the stigma associated with it. As a person living with bipolar disorder and a mental health advocate, every day is a celebration because I am alive and living. However, Mental Health Day for me is about self-care, peace, relaxing, and continuing the path that I’m on.
I left shame at the door in October 2014.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in August 2014 after having a bad reaction to a high dosage of prescribed prednisone for no-see-um bites following a family vacation. Initially, my family and I were in denial about me having a mental illness, but after my second stay at the behavioral health hospital, I knew I needed help and my mom and I were steadfast on educating ourselves and seeking the help I needed.
I am proud to say that this October makes seven years consecutively of recovery without a relapse.
I am diligent with keeping my appointments with both my psychiatrist and therapist, as well as taking my medication daily and listening to my body. Life is truly what you make it, and I refuse to lay around and be a victim when I have so much to offer the world.
For Mental Health Day, I am celebrating the three suicide attempts that were unsuccessful, the darkest depression I thought I’d never be able to recover from, countless months of only wanting to sleep to escape the reality of my life, and the terrible mindset I had thinking that my life was over because I had a mental illness. I overcame it all. And I’m better because of it.
As a kid, reading was my solace.
I was a regular at the library and words spoke to me and allowed me to live vicariously through the characters, or receive a powerful message. I knew I wanted to become an author at the age of 6, so I started writing then and was on the school newspaper throughout high school and college. Afterward, I knew I wanted to write a book but never knew about what. My mental illness gave me the golden ticket.
Half the Battle changed my life because it allowed me an opportunity to not only fulfill a lifetime dream but release my truth as therapy. There’s no way to truly express how fulfilling it feels to set out to do something and watch it all come together. Had I succumbed to my "diagnoses" I never would have achieved my dream.
So now, Mental Health Day is a day of honor. It will always be a day of gratitude for me as I reflect on all of the things that could’ve kept me in a broken state or ended me.
Mental health is essential. It’s an invisible entity that makes it hard to understand, but your brain controls all things. Everything begins and ends with your mind.
I won't lie, living with a mental illness is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. Sure, the medicine and support help, but it’s a task each day to wake up and choose happiness over hopelessness. I opt to stay encouraged and to live my dream of writing to inspire others like me. And for anyone else struggling out there, I hope you know that someone out there cares, and there is something you can do. Even when it feels like there's no hope, there is, and I'm holding onto it for you.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health there are free resources available to you. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor from Crisis Text Line. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
*Disclaimer: The advice on Cafemom is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
