I was working as a social worker 13 years ago when I had a mental breakdown. I lost my mental health, physical health, home, some of my friends, and money. The confident, self-assured woman was replaced by a very frightened, hurt, wounded person.

Over the years, I have had various levels of ups and downs. In 2006 at a low point, I started coming to Ellis Continuing Day Treatment (CDT). I found the support I needed in therapy and groups. I slowly made progress and got very comfortable and safe in the counter culture of mental illness. I REALLY wanted to feel better, but knew that I was not well and could not see the path to recovery. I saw people who were coping better than me and could not see how they were doing it and not me. There was something missing. I couldn’t see past my reality of getting through the day to day.

Two years ago, Personal Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) replaced CDT. My therapist and I worked together evaluating my past experiences, where I had problems when I was working, what strengths I thought I had, my dreams for my life, and broke it down into small goals.

I took groups that would help me achieve these goals: how to cope with symptoms and look to a life outside of PROS. I had some setbacks last year, but have worked hard to find recovery. Everyone has a different opinion as to what recovery means to them. Recovery is my process of reclaiming my life, using a routine and coping skills to navigate my symptoms, having a good support system, and piecing together a more meaningful life with balance.

In my path to recovery, I have become involved in Schenectady PEER, which stands for People Empowered Experiencing Recovery. The group is free standing, not affiliated with any hospital or treatment center. We are an advisory board that is run by those who know the most about our needs: Peers.

June 3, 2014

Thank you for your interest in my recovery story. I have been in mental health treatment for the past thirty-three years. It began at age eight when I was sexually molested by a close relative. I did not tell anyone out of shame and guilt for ten years. I became anorexic immediately following the assault, which turned into bulimia, severe depression and anxiety through my teenage years. My parents would not allow hospitalization or medication because of their ignorance and the stigma involved. Suicide was constantly on my mind. My parents did allow for weekly psychotherapy treatments.

At seventeen, I suffered a major mental breakdown and was limited in my high school attendance. I disclosed facts about the abuse during therapy, but no charges were filed, once again due to the perceived stigma. At eighteen, I took myself to the psychiatrist and received my first prescription for an anti-depressant. Lack of effectiveness and side effects caused me to spend the next fifteen years trying different medicine combinations.

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I suffer from a dual diagnosis of alcoholism and depression.  I am now in recovery for alcoholism and am being treated for depression with an antidepressant and therapy to deal with life long issues.  I now work in the mental health field and am going to school to be a mental health counselor.  I very much feel that I have much to offer others who suffer from addiction and mental health issues, although honestly, some days feel I am worse off than those with whom I am working. I struggle daily with thoughts low self esteem and worthlessness and relapsing into alcohol usage!  However, I realize that this will be a daily challenge for possibly the rest of my life.  I want to encourage and inspire others who are also in recovery for addiction and mental illness to find help and support.  There is hope for you if you just take the first steps. 

I’m MERLIN.I have been dealing with mental health issues for many years, more than 25+ .I have taken all different kinds of of meds and have tried to stop taking meds more than 8 times and have ended up in the hospital.a mental health hospital can be a scary place but the people are trained and are there to assist you with your recovery.Since dealing with mental health issues over 25+ years I have decided to turn the tables on MENTAL HEALTH and train to be a PEER SUPPORT ADVOCATE.i want to help other people dealing with mental health issues and let them know that there is light at the end of the road and what they are going through is only temporary.i want to share my faith and help educate,inpire,coach and be an example to others.medication and counseling 

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I started in the public mental health system when I was 20. I am now 50 and all of the hundreds of people I have met along the way of my recovery have only enriched my life. 

Introduction

My name is Monty Price. I like music, and like to make sure I have free time from school. Also, I like to take pictures and post them on Facebook. I hope everyone is doing find today.

NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental health and was founded in 1979. NAMI provides programs for the mentally ill and in Lexington consumers can go to the Participation Station. Also, NAMI provides programs to help families deal with their loved ones that have mental illness.

Dark Days

When I was at the age of 26 years my symptoms of mental illness caused many problems for me.  I started to have emotional problems for the first time and was hospitalized in Texas. Having emotional problems was like not understanding my situation and being confused. One of my darkest moments was when I was having a lot of fear and feeling angry about life. Moreover, not getting along with family and friends was causing problems for me in my life.  Also, not being able to hold a job and having dealings with the police. If you can imagine having avoid in your life and nowhere to go. Furthermore, not being able to function in society was a problem for me. These are some of the feelings I was experiencing at my first hospitalization and more distress as well.

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I have been depressed for over 20 years and have been medicated with many different times.  My mother was bipolar and didn’t take her medications all the time so she experienced lots of ups and downs.  I believe in treating mental health issues and even though I am still on the road to recovery and finding the right medication, I fully believe people need to get help (either meds, counseling or both). I saw what it did for my mother - which eventually plays a part in her passing…  I have gone through different situations the last 20 years such as infertility, grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, mother’s bipolar, dad’s cancer, empty nest and husband getting very ill and is now disabled and is having memory issues plus his own mental health challenges.  But through it all, I know God is with me and I get through each day with God, the love of my husband, kids, family and dogs.  I am open to talking or sharing my experiences if it will help others to cope. Thanks for all you do!

I was living overseas when my life came undone. I had to leave with little preparation or good byes.  I found myself in a recovery center not sure if I wanted to live anymore. 

Through the support of a handful of friends,  peer support,  my counselor and psychiatrist,  and a mental health ministry I was able to recover.  

I still have symptoms but I now know how to manage and cope. I’m thriving again.  I’m working on my doctorate and working part-time.  I am now able to give the same support to others that I had received. 

There is hope. Recovery is possible.  

As someone who has received treatment for a variety of mental health issues, the statement that always has bothered me the most is “I understand”. It’s the hardest one to hear when you are in recovery; because no, you do not understand. No one understands what it is like to be completely inside your head. It’s all yours.

Now, before you go an take that the wrong way, think about the beauty of that statement. The space inside your head is all yours. You can decorate it however you want. And, when you get tired of it, you can repaint the walls to whatever your new favorite color of the moment is. No one knows what your situation exactly is. It’s up to you to decide if you want to let people into that beautiful mind of yours. I’m not going to tell you it will be easy, because God does it hurt sometimes, but I think it will be worth it.

So go ahead. Throw open your mind’s windows and let in some fresh air. Or don’t; it’s up to you. 

Julia P.

Recovering from comorbid anorexia nervosa and depression

But that’s the complex nature of mental health at work. It’s confusing and exhausting. It takes time. It takes effort. And it can, and may very well, require a reboot. So while we can’t expect it to be steady and linear, recovery from mental illness is undeniably possible. No matter the number of times we take one step back, there are always steps forward awaiting to be taken — Katie Belcher

It is wishful to assume that the process of coping with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or even addiction among the few of these that takes place at a steady incline; that one counseling session, a single dose of medication or familiarizing oneself with a breathing exercise will propel you forward at a constant rate. Unfortunately—more often than not—that is a naive assumption.

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