by Shannon Valerde
Stop by my house on a Tuesday night, and you probably wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. My husband, kids and I are probably eating dinner, or maybe we’re outside playing if the weather is nice. Possibly one of us would be on bath duty while the other picked up the bajillion toys that are scattered about the house. Continue reading
by Angel Caulfield
OCD, PTSD, ADD, ADHD, BP. Don’t let your mental illness define you. Let it make you stronger – because you are so much more than the definition of your struggle. You are stronger because you carry a bigger package than most, all while attending to life’s everyday loads.
by Sue Caulfield
by Emelie Helsen
As part of the Committed eSeries, we’re featuring different types of mediums as part of the the month to show “What Mental Illness Looks Like.” Continue reading
by Abi Kennedy
As part of the Committed eSeries, we’re featuring different types of mediums as part of the the month to show “What Mental Illness Looks Like.” This vlog was submitted by Abi Kennedy, who talks about how a physical injury manifested into a mental health issue and her struggles with describing what she was going through. Continue reading
by Sylvester Gaskin
I know I’m in trouble when the palms of my hands sweat.
I was at NASPA 2014 in Baltimore, and I was struggling. All I wanted was a quiet space to check some e-mail and catch my breath. It was already an uncomfortable place to be in. I was surrounded by so many people, so much noise, and not a lot of diversity. I really didn’t know anyone, as it was my first NASPA experience, and the people I met at a Knowledge Community meeting were engaging with their own friends and colleagues. Continue reading
by Jessi Robinson
In 1994, I was a high school freshman. My arms and wrists were covered in scratches and small cuts. I was convinced the world would be better off without me. I just wanted to go away, be alone, and not bother or be bothered by other people.
And then one day I was called out of class to be confronted by the adjustment counselor and my parents, who whisked me off to my mom’s therapist to get some meds and therapy. My friends had noticed my behavior, arms, and the things I was saying. I was lucky. Continue reading
by Sara Ackerson
I’ve become pretty good at getting through each day, actually thriving, and not just managing my illness. You most likely wouldn’t even know unless I disclosed it to you. I live with an extrovert personality, a cup of coffee, and a flexible work schedule that allows for me to have dedicated time for my monthly psychiatrist appointments and other self-care without having to ask for sick time off on a regular basis. Continue reading
by Dan McDowell
It was about four and a half years ago when I realized I couldn’t be enough of a resource for my partner. More often than not, the night ended with her crying in my arms, asking when it would be okay. I knew it was something that could and would happen, but I wasn’t sure how or when. One of these evenings, I was finally able to say aloud to her that I couldn’t help her on my own and my suggestion that she talk to someone finally hit home for her. Continue reading
by Katy Hamm
I suffer from anxiety and depression.
Statistically that is not an uncommon thing, but there is still a great deal of stigma that presents with identifying with any mental health issue.
My troubles began my freshman year of college, when I found I had a great deal of social anxiety, which brought out my depression. A depression that multiplied after my best friend Emily was killed by a drunk driver that following summer. Continue reading
