Silence is Deadly

I began experiencing symptoms that I knew on some level were depression and mania but fought to hide them.

By Frank Pomata
Life Experiences with Mental Illness

Now, when I look back at everything that happened, I realized I'm a more empathetic person.

By Anita Jackson
My Happyer Journey

I think I am a lot more mindful of my actions than I was before.

By Vinay Guthal
Not Losing Hope

I would put different affirmations into my notebook and other statements that made me feel better.

By Stanley Popovich
Perception Glasses

I had on deception glasses that wouldn’t allow me to operate as a grounded and aware individual.

By Anonymous
My Bipolar Journey

Cribbage became a go-to distraction from the monotony of the hospital.

By Jarod Gengler
My Mess Is My Message

Helping others also helped me get through my own self-healing journey.

By Annette Whitenburger
Finding Love, Health, and Self

As I healed the younger version of myself, I discovered I didn’t need to turn to food for love.

By Ronni Robinson
Becoming Sure of Myself

I grew accustomed to the abuse, telling myself everything was my fault.

By Sarah Cook
I’m Going Places

I set out to not only educate and tell my story but was also hopeful I could help others along the way.

By Michelle Clark
Meant To Be

The labor was easier than I expected— or perhaps I was stronger than I thought, mentally and physically.

By Emily Hasson
The Vulnerable Man

I realized the man of the house can show vulnerability.

By Jason Wood
Finding Love and Healing Within

It felt comforting to know that I wasn’t the only one clueless about what love was.

By Dana Asby
The Stressed Miss

Growing into the person that I am hasn't been linear, even though I tried to make it seem that way.

By Meaghan O’Brien
Resilience Following the Virginia Tech Shooting

Following the shooting at Virginia Tech, Ann suffered from PTSD that affected her ability to teach.

By Ann Jeffers
Bipolar and Being Born This Way

Everything is bright, fun, and festive and then suddenly, it is dark, dull, and sad.

By Meg Henderson Wade
I Survived

I made the decision to make sure what I went through was at least worth it.

By Hannah Siller
Because I Survived, I Have Thrived

Slowing down has changed how I view the world.

By Dane McCormack
My Disability Won’t Limit Me

Pain helped me gain my identity and my purpose.

By Kimberly Ferguson
Sacred Fireflies

Sharing my story has given me a purpose in this world.

By Brittany Eldridge
Learning to Love Me for Me

I'm continuing to learn all the time. It’s a journey of healing and I’m glad I am on it.

By Stephanie Collinson
Leading with Resilience

It’s important to find the right people to talk to so you don’t suffer in silence.

By Ryan Zadrazil
Healing through Paying It Forward

Here’s why I say anything is possible; I finally decided to ask for help.

By Richard Sullivan
Finding My Nourishment

I was in the midst of an eating disorder, and no one seemed to be able to see a thing.

By Erica Fada
She’s Intense

I was a Highly Sensitive Child raised in a home where there was no warmth, and this would carry me into my present.

By Anonymous
Learning to Accept Mental Health Diagnoses

I have accepted my mental illness does not define me.

By Livia Peterson
I Didn’t See It Coming

I can finally say I’m happy to be here.

By Dominick Halse
Sifting Through Myself

I’m much stronger than my mind tries to trick me into believing.

By Danielle Glick
Butterflies Come Out of Darkness

I’ve found joy in helping others through trauma.

By Yolanda Morrissette
Proud To Be My Father’s Daughter

I’m finally making peace with my father’s death.

By Jillian Weidner
How Gratitude Keeps Me Mindful

I’ve learned to love myself unconditionally.

By Gabriela Otero
A Different Life Worth Living

I didn’t get my life back, but I’ve found purpose again.

By Martha Barbone
I Let Go of Shame

I don’t want anyone else to have to process trauma alone.

By Barbara McLean
A Bipolar Superpower

I think of my diagnosis as a best friend.

By Susan Page Gadegone
I Am Transformation, You Are Too

I learned to name my boundaries and keep them.

By Anonymous
For the Love of Dogs

I needed something outside of myself to care about, something that needed me. A dog would need me.

By Melissa Grunow
My Schizo-Affective Queer Journey

I’ve lost everything and everyone over and over.

By Andrea Lambert
a wild journey to recovery

I am still on the spiritual journey that I started when the abuses first began.

By Charles Hughes
What does freedom mean?

Everything in my psyche and soul said, “ENOUGH.”

By Amanda Boman
Real LIFE IN THE PSYCH WARD

The hospital was real life in the midst of our distorted reality.

By Brendan McHugh
Sometimes We Scare Ourselves

All of us have had struggles so we can all feel safe sharing without judgment.

By Elsie Phillips
Who I Am

I didn’t have the words I use today to describe my experiences at the time, I knew I was different.

By Jules Plumadore
A Delicate Tapestry

I was afraid to be alone; I didn’t feel strong enough to be alone.

By Cynthia Fox Everett
Striving for “Normal”

But if my experiences have taught me anything, it's that we're all in a constant state of recovery.

By Anders Kass
The Upside of Being Sensitive

I can’t be depressed while I help someone else.

By Gary Gilberg
How I Learned to Say “No”

I feel I am finally able to stand up for myself without being afraid.

By Crystia Peter
I thought I knew

Little did I know that this was the painful beginning of becoming a new person.

By Anonymous
Odyssey to me

I’m grateful to finally be calm and grounded in my body and in my mind.

By Laura Fox
Kintsukuroi

A beautiful, repeatable, healing process.

By Laura Riordan
How to Change a Decade

When you take a pause and reset, you can learn some very powerful lessons.

By Hollyn Donovan
My Growth Through Depression and Anxiety

What does a child have to be depressed about at eight years old?

By Jay Chirino
Teaching Bullies

Everybody saw what was happening, yet nobody said anything.

By Axelle Robin
The Rugged Path to Stability

I knew something was wrong when I started waking up before 6 am full of energy.

By Anonymous
Lyme Disease Gave Me a Second Chance

I was my own worst enemy before the diagnosis.

By Jetty Nieuwenhuis
Learning to Run with Jenn by my Side

I had always despised running, but those 45 minutes of alone time became invaluable.

By Jen McDonald
From Darkness to Light

Life was really good. Until it wasn’t.

By Anthony Acampora
My Diagnosis

My world tilts and spins all day, every single day.

By Hollyn Donovan
Discovering my DID

I’m no longer a child, no longer unsafe.

By Anonymous
A Different Kind of Worker

I thought I was on a mission from God.

By Tim Derby
From Community to Nursing Home

I felt like my rights were being violated.

By Renee Uitto