This the continuation from my first submission , it got sent on an accident and it wasn’t completed.  So what I was saying is when I read Harvest time on NAMI’s not alone page when she talked about the Good Seeds & Bad Seeds , I understood what she meant plant good seeds and receive a good Harvest, and throw a way the Bad Seeds an don’t pass them on to anyone.  I realize that that is the truest statement that I read , I realized that that is what I’ve been doing all my life, with my children , husband, with everyone and allowing others to throw there Bad seeds on me.  So With that being said, I’m going to do my very best to cope and plant good seeds and throw away the bad.  I going to go to this DUI school  an get my license back , continue my therapy ,continue my Meds and most of  all plant good seeds an take care of myself.  and know truly,  believe that there is no HOPLESS SITUATION. 

I had the pleasure of taking a NAMI Family-to-Family course that felt like a college course. Not because it was difficult or boring but because it obtained so much structure and information. I learned about depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders to name a few illnesses. I also learned about many more and had the chance to meet beautiful people that were attempting to recover, reaching for hope and looking for help. I never felt judged. I enjoyed fresh food during our classes, had great speakers that sang, and was overwhelmed by the sense of community. The stigma did not reach through the doors. I became stronger as a parent and mother.

Thank you NAMI for being there.  Thank you Phyllis Arends, then the Executive Director for South Dakota for getting myself and my partner, Timothy Flaskamp involved in starting a Connections Recovery Support Group.  Since  almost 5 years ago, Tim and I have become “In Our Own Voice” Presenters and Trainers also.  I had onset at 42, with a Bipolar Disorder, a PTSD, and a Panic Disorder.  All the while, fighting with a back injury. 

After the second surgery, I was told I was terminal.  Yes, the therapist had her work cut out for me, and TIm’s support and understanding was crucial. Oh, and Yes, I am in the best relationship of my life, a gay one with a remarkable man, who himself could be called “Mayo Clinic’s Miracle Man”.  I was overweight, diabetic and the Doctor said a gastric bypass would be the answer as she had to get the weight off me right now. 

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Hello,   My name is Minyon Bond. This composition is about my life as a mental patient and as a subscriber to NAMI.  NAMI has asked for stories from persons involved with mental illness. I have been a NAMI member and subscriber for many years. The comprehensive overview which NAMI provides has been of frequent value. It is my hope that this story may help others like me.    I am one of those people. I am a Consumer.  I am BIPOLAR. I am a 73 year old woman with BIPOLAR 1 DISORDER. I have been under psychiatric care for 42 years.  I have taken many psychiatric medications. I’ve had three psychiatrists, my current one for over 35 years. Along the way I worked in field research with plants, in basic research in spinal cord injury regeneration and for 33 years as a professor of Biology/Botany in a local Community College.  I have been retired for six years.

I spent my best 35 years with Denise, my dearest friend and deepest love. There were good times and bad times but she was there for ALL times. In 2014 she died of Swine flu. Last year my friend David  introduced me to Tim. Tim produces music. Because of his patient coaching, Tim now also produces my music. Most of my time is spent writing, composing, playing, singing and recording our songs.  Life is good again. Different but good.

How did I get here?  In January, 1975, I entered a mental hospital. This was labelled as a failed suicide attempt. Why failed? My friend David hauled me out of my swimming pool. My original diagnosis: SCHIZOPHRENIA. I was treated with several medications from the Thorazine family.  These ultimately resulted in profound depression.  None of the several varieties of antidepressants helped.

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Mental Illness has been a part of my entire life. My mother was diagnosed as Bipolar with episodes of psychosis in her 50’s. She passed away in 2011, alone in Georgia. Three years earlier she became so sick that my brother and I tried to have her hospitalized for fear of her hurting herself or others. We called NAMI of Georgia for help. We went before a judge and she was taken to a Psychiatric Hospital. Unfortunately, they released her after 24 hours. After this she decided that we were “dead” to her including her grandchildren. This totally broke my heart. I loved her very much. When she passed away, 5 days went by before she was found in her house.

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My name is Andrea. I am learning to live a better life. I have been involved with my local NAMI office for about the past 8 months and it has been a wonderful experience for me. I just finished a NAMI  Peer-to-Peer class in May. I got a certificate of Achievement  that I completed the education course. That meant so much to me. I have good people in my life.  I am feeling much better than I was earlier this year. I have bp2 and I have my up and down days but I now am learning new coping skills to deal with my bp 2. I have had bp2 for many years. I have made friends from my Peer-to-Peer group and I am very thankful  for that. I have also been clean and sober for 12 years. I know I am a fighter and I have been through so much. I have to keep going and continue to fight and be there for other people as well.  I am leaning to accept that I am ok just the way I am.   

Hi, I’m Lana and new to NAMI.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy eleven years ago (I’ll be 32 in a month) and sometimes, one of the side effects is depression. Luckily, that hasn’t seemed to affect me much until very recently. Mental health issues also run in my family - my mom has multiple disorders and has essentially cut me out of her life. She recently called me and said that she wants nothing to do with me because I am the source of her stress and anxiety. She also has a heavy drinking problem and has since I was a child, which led from everything from arguments to verbal abuse.

I had mild issues with depression as a teenager due to the divorce of my parents and a fall-out with my high school friends, but it was relatively short, and now I’m dealing with it again. I’m worried because I saw what mental illnesses did to my mom, and I’m really hoping it isn’t genetic. 

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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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 Learned of NAMI in early 2012. Immediately signed up for Family-to-Family course. Found there were other people living my life and I felt I was finally in the right place! The course taught me so much about bipolar. Unfortunately, the mentally ill are more vulnerable to be preyed upon. My only child was murdered by her boyfriend in July 2012. I only wish I had learned of NAMI sooner. Every school should know of NAMI as there are so many young people suffering and parents who flounder for years looking for help.