It is really important to have a team around you who support you and know what your condition is.  Sure, we all have days, for some of us those days can be more turbulent than for others.  When I was in college almost 20 years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar. In my heart I believe that sometimes diagnoses are like a target and they try to come close but really for everyone it is different. Though, I do take my medication religiously. Every day I am a warrior for my health and my mental well-being.  I told my friends who were closest to me and who have known me the longest about my condition. I didn’t realize how important that was for me until I did it. I cannot advise other people on what to do about that. But, their words of kindness meant a lot to me. My friends cannot be with me always, I try to express myself through art and music. I get scared sometimes. I feel isolated many times.  But, like I said. You have to be a warrior for your well-being, every day, each and every day.

I am very fortunaute to say, I am living stigma free. Having a mental health illness is managable and you can overcome having a mental illness. The most important thing about living stigma free is self care. If you are doing all the right things to care for yourself than you are doing the right things for you, creating a healthy way of living for yourself. Remembering the most important one is your well being. That’s how I can say I am living stigma free.

Remain positive and strong, realizing that you are valuable. Surround yourself with self love and positive vibes.

I have Bipolar 1 Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder so self-care is already difficult anyway. But I am learning a lot about myself during this lock-down.

I am learning that I am stronger and braver than I thought; I was able to resist a suicidal thought which is a huge accomplishment as a four (4) time suicide attempt survivor.

So far my self-care strategies have been:

1. Listening to uplifting podcasts
2. Reading encouraging books
3. Keeping my counseling appointments (even though there via webcam)
4. Challenging my thoughts
5. Praying
6. Celebrating small victories 
7. Writing
8. Helping others
9. Avoid watching the news
10. Taking my medications

I realize that I am not alone in this. That things will get better; and to remain strong throughout this whole ordeal.  

I have lived with depression my whole adult life. I believe I inherited it from my father, who now, in retrospect, I believe lived with bipolar depression and was an alcoholic.  Being dealt this hand in life has given me many challenges.  I didn’t know what was wrong with me, I just knew something was wrong, when as a young adult, I felt life closing in on me instead of seeing what opportunities would lie ahead.  I was smart enough, though, to understand something was deeply wrong and so I sought the help of a psychiatrist and counselor when I was 25 years old.  With the help of medications and counseling, I have been able to have a successful life despite my illness.  But that isn’t to say that I haven’t had relapses and that I haven’t had to struggle with my illness.  But, what I would like to say, is that  there is hope.  And part of that hope for me has been my Christian faith, which has led me through my darkest hours.  I find my faith in Jesus Christ and my church family has helped me to see that we are not alone in our suffering, and that there is a loving and merciful God who understands our suffering. I am now 63 years old and for now, I have found my peace.  I have been married for 9 years, have family and friends who support me. To me, miracles do not have to be spontaneous, but they can happen as small steps we make each day to take care of ourselves and then one day, you realize that you have your stability and strength, and your faith has led you through to that  moment. That moment, that we all long for, peace of mind.