May is Mental Illness Awareness Month.  Each year it brings up memories that I have tried to forget for over 40 years.  This year I am tearing down the walls I’ve built around my mental illness memories and cycles of suffering.  This year I am being vulnerable and engaging in a conversation about the shame and stigma around mental illness by sharing my personal story with you. 

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Statistics state that 1 in 5 people struggle with mental illness but I’m wondering how many people with mental illness but don’t feel safe and comfortable sharing. The term mental illness carries a stigma that most are ashamed or afraid to carry. I have generalized anxiety disorder along with panick attack disorder but that does not mean that I am my “mental illness” just as someone with high blood pressure isn’t labeled as such. Everyone has struggles and issues and should be able to express themselves and seek out the positive in life! I am optimistic about life and know that the options are endless.. the more I share and open up the lighter I feel. I am not alone. You are not alone. I will continue to be open and transparent and Use my anxiety to fuel the fire and view my shortcomings as a strengths that Are continually shaping who I am and giving me goals for who I want to be.

I’m Shawnene and I was diagnosed at age 13 with a mental illness. I come from home to home in foster care. I guess that’s why I was so angry but it proved only strength and growth in my life. I am in many programs and all related to mental illness. One I am currently enjoy is an organization focused on mental illness and artistic expression in breaking stigma related to mental illness. I have been writing poetry and enjoying mic nights and being involved in helping with the next set of artists in our next show. Also I am in NAMI Peer-to-Peer with amazing adults that come together to support and educate each other with coping and dealing with mental illness and sharing their stories. I am pleased to say recovery is possible. Not anyone is alone as I am currently still recovering and wish to go to college this summer for psychology as my major. I want those to know that it’s ok to have emotions and feel the way they do. It’s human and it’s normal and no one is ever alone. I am currently enrolled in college attending programs and have managed my medications. I am recovering.

The effects of the stigma against mental illness is hurtful beyond measure. People have no idea what people have gone through to put them in the state they are now in. And the resulting chemical imbalance can be caused by many different things. It is wrong to disregard everything that people with mental illness say or think as insanity. And it is also wrong to think of these people as spiritually useless. As someone with bi polar disorder who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia for years, I am speaking from experience.

I have a clean record and have never physically hurt anyone. I also take my meds on a regular basis aside from a few slip ups here and there. And the same is true of many with mental illness. It is wrong and harmful to think badly or even wrongly about a whole group of people because of the actions of a few. I would even be willing to say that the stigma against people with mental illness is such a burden upon them that it is a contributing factor in the few cases where people with mental illness actually do harmful things. And also drives many to the point of hopelessness. Not to mention the effect it has on their friends and family members who are hurting enough already.

Make sure you do your research before forming an opinion or making a judgement, and make sure you get your information from people in the field who actually know what they are talking about, that doesn’t mean some crusty old psychiatrist with ideas from the 1960s, and it doesn’t mean some tv preacher who says they are possessed. On addition, it’s wrong to treat people different for being on disability, many work, but many can’t, or at least it is very difficult for them. Many also worked for years before they’re symptoms started even afterward, and most aren’t opposed to working again. Disability is barely enough to live on, and makes it very difficult to have any kind of social life, let alone date or have a girlfriend.

The idea of having a Bipolar Disorder stung me for a long time. When I’m feeling down, sometimes I feel the pressures of the stigma revolving around my mental illness. I always felt like there was a “normal” Valerie or a status quo that I had to

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There has always been a stigma around mental health; I see news reports that if the person who committed a crime had a mental illness, they automatically blame the person’s mental illness for what happened. This NOT always the case and most likely wouldn’t be if we had proper mental health care for everyone that needed it.

I was diagnosed with bipolar and depression seven years ago, and see my psychiatrist and counselor regularly. I hold a full-time job, internship, and am pursuing my master’s in communication and digital media. In no way does having bipolar and depression slow me down in life to the point that I can’t achieve my goals. Featuring people that have mental illness and are doing well in life seem to never be shown in ads or on television. I would love to change this because I am someone who takes medication regularly, and successfully lives a normal life!

I just want to put it out there that if you have a mental illness, you too can live a fulfilling life, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

I come from a family of people who have struggled with mental illness. I remember my diagnosis of depression like it was yesterday. Next came my son s diagnosis of OCD . Then my daughter battled self injury, depression and panic attacks combined with social anxiety. And my mom has had some form of mental illness all her life, which to this day (she’s now in her 80s) has gone untreated.

As far as my kids and myself, we are and always have been very open about our illnesses. Having come from a family that stigmatized mental illness to the point that people suffered needlessly, I am determined to fight that stigma by sharing my stories with others. 

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Now I know that this is a heated subject.
However, I feel I have to put my two cents in it

Why is that any other illness is treated with respect and understanding
However, when someone has a mental illness they are treated like a criminal

If mental illness is indeed a disease than it should be treated as such.

I have been stable for almost eight years.
I take my meds everyday because I love my life and my daughter.

Why do we assume it is an excuse to do wrong things?
Why is it that other diseases are treated and the patient is treated like a patient?
Why are we quick to judge people with mental illness and not quick to try and understand?

I have lived a hard life. I have struggled to get sober, clean, and stable on medication.
I work hard every day to stay where I am now so I can be the best mother, friend, family member, and a yes a Christian.

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I feel like I have a “ stigmata” of mental illness, I’m a substance abuser and my rents noticed this first, then my friends…who also used, but commented several times that I “ didn’t act right” when using. I noticed my behavior was far different than my peers when I was drunk/ stoned as well. Using is never good for anyone, but my friends backed away and this led to isolation and lonliness , so I checked into a rehab , but felt closer to the pill bottle and believed for a long time that science would cure my behavior and bring my friends back, but it didn’t. what I need is a miracle, so I began hoping and thru prayer have managed my illness more concretely than believing in neuroscience or brain science.Its a good way to lose your mind, and further drug addiction in yourself.

We are crazy; we are violent
We are insane; we sit silent
We are prisoners; We are unkind
We can’t function; we are intertwined
We are miserable; it is visible
Unable to have a relationship
Unable to win the championship

We are people; we are caring
We are people; we like sharing
We are people; we have responsibility
We are people; we feel humility
We are people; we need respect
We are people; we need to connect