Prayers for Ft. Hood

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/NBCDFW

According to Huffington Post, the Army stated that the 

shooter Ivan saw no combat while deployed to Iraq.  

They also said that he was treated by a 

psychiatrist last month for sleep issues and 

showed no signs of violent behavior or suicidal tendencies.

And This Means What?!? 

Obviously he was dealing with demons no one knew about 

and maybe he was too proud, too embarrassed to 

admit that he was not okay.

 Dammit Society! 

Educate Yourselves

The stigma placed on Mental Illness has got to end NOW!  

Violence and Suicide is never the answer. 

I just feel that this definitely could have been avoided.  

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this senseless

 tragedy, including the shooter's family.

Lastly, since this is the second tragedy that 

Ft. Hood has had to endure in just a few years, 

Please United States Military, you have got to do more

for the very people that live, die,  and 

fight for everyone's freedom.  

The third time is the charm won't work in these instances.

 Photo Credit: Original Origin Unknown/Facebook

Photo Credit:  Original Origin Unknown/Facebook

Photo Credit:  Healthy Place

Photo Credit:  Original Origin Unknown/Facebook

http://blogformentalhealth.wordpress.com/

Be Loud and Proud

Join the Make it Ok! Campaign

Stop the Silence.

Help stop the stigma of mental illness 

by encouraging conversations about mental health and

by learning the facts about mental illness. 

Vow to Never be Silent Again.

The more we know, the more we can talk about it!

Mental illness is a disorder.

It is just one part of who people are, 

it does not define them.

Speak up, Speak out!

Whatever you do,

never let anyone silence you about

Mental Illness!

WHY I BLOG

I became a blogger because I was tired 

of hiding my mental illness.

I felt like I wasn't being my authentic self.

I was afraid of what people would

think of me if they knew my secret.

I am no longer staying quiet.

Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety 

have been with me all my life.

It was time to tell my story.

I needed to share my life, 

and share my struggles as 

well as my achievements. 

So here I am today no longer silent.

I am loud and proud.

And believe me, I have a lot to say.

I have been silent for too long.

I am satisfied of who I am.

I am finally free from the chains

of an ignorant society.

I will educate and talk openly 

for all of society to hear.

I am no longer embarrassed.

 I am happy to say that I truly do not care

what anyone else thinks of me and that my friends

is my definition of freedom.

I am now dedicated to providing support

and encouragement to all of us who suffer from

mental illness and to those who love us.

We will fight together!

Help stop the silence.

Talk About Mental Illness

This is how I’ll help remove the silence surrounding mental illness. 

This is how I will make it ok.

• I will talk openly on the subject of mental illnesses.
• I will treat those experiencing mental illnesses with respect and dignity.
• I will look for and correct injustices at school, the workplace, or in my social circles.
• I will avoid name-calling and using words that describe mental illnesses in a hurtful way.
• I will recognize that a person’s mental illness is just one part of who they are, it does not define them.
• I will encourage others to speak up, speak out and just plain speak.

                     Stop the silence. Learn how to fight the mental illness stigma. http://makeitok.org

Did You Know That Men and Boys Suffer From Mental Illness Too!

Men need to know that: it is okay not to be okay. It is acceptable for men to have mental issues and strong, emotional feelings. Men are only human and I feel bad that they think that they are weak. It is okay to cry. It is okay to seek help. 

Men deserve a better life too. 

Men Please Get Help! You are worth it. 

Mental Health Awareness

As May is soon coming to a close, I hope that everyone takes a little understanding, give some support, help stop the stigma, and became more aware of mental health and all the issues mental illness brings with it with you out into the world.  Just because you may not see it, mental illness is real, not something we sufferers make up.  Thanks to all who support me and my blog!  I really appreciate your kindness and continued support.

So Proud

I just got back from the WVHS Academic Awards Banquet with my daughter.  She is in the top 20 in her Junior class.  Through suicide attempts, severe depression, and everyday anxieties of being a teenager, she has been able to maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average her whole entire high school career thus far.  I have got to be the proudest mom on the block.  I can honestly say that I don't know how she did it.  Most of the time, when things are bad in your life, the first thing that suffers are your grades.  Not my girl's grades.  Maybe it is the only thing that is stable in her life that she has some control over.  Who knows!  I am just glad that she has done her best. This just goes to show that having a mental illness doesn't mean you are stupid, undeserving, or not capable of succeeding.  She accomplished a great feat. The stigma stops here.  I Love you, Baby.

Stop the Stigma of Mental Illness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Please Support Mental Illness

Stop the Stigma of Mental Illness

Support Mental Health

May is Mental Health
   Awareness Month

Teen Suicide Info for Parents

What is Depression?

        

Not only do I suffer from depression, so does my daughter.  We just take it day by day, sometimes it is all we can do to get up in the morning. The sadness is overwhelming at times that the tears don't want to stop.  We just want the pain to end. The medication doesn't help 100% so it seems that we are always stuck with that little piece of sadness that won't go away. What kind of life is this? Now is the time, I will no longer hide my depression.  It will no longer control me. 
I will fight to stay alive. I will have hope for another day. 

Please join me in the fight for acceptance of Mental Illness.  Mental Illness is just that, an illness. If we all just do a little bit, understand a little bit, comfort a  little bit, and speak out a little bit then maybe we could make a difference.  People need to know that it is okay to ask for help.  It is okay to ask for the treatment they need. They shouldn't feel stupid or scared about what other people might think of them.  It is not their fault that they feel bad, feel anxiety, want to die, or cannot get out of bed. 

The stigma associated with Mental Illnesses must stop.  We do not need to feel discriminated upon anymore. We are all real people, with real lives wanting to 
live a better life.

Here are some things you could do to raise awareness:
--Visit The Healthy Place and Join the Campaign to 

Stand Up for Mental Health

--Take the Bring Change 2 Mind Pledge
--Get the Facts on Mental Health at the National Alliance on Mental Health
--Go to the National Institute on Mental Health. They hope that one day we 

will live in a world where mental illnesses are prevented and cured.

Thanks for listening to me rant about a good cause.  It gives me great comfort to be able to talk about mental illness and to advocate for its acceptance.  It is something I live with every day. It is all too familiar.  I won't let my depression define me but I will not apologize for who I am either.  

Mental Illness Affects Everyone

A to Z Challenge: Truly Understanding

Since I am a day behind due to another crisis in my home, I am combining my posts to make it easier on me and to catch up.

One must be truly understanding of mental illness and how it affects everyone, to be able to deal with 2 people, 2 suicide attempts, in one month.  First, my daughter and now her father.  I am so busy trying to save everyone that I hope that all this that has been happening doesn't come crashing down on me.  Maybe it will all hit me in a month when I think that I am ok, then I might be the one who needs saving.  But I won't think like that.  I am a strong person, strong mother.  I never realized that I could be this strong and be the anchor that keeps everything and everyone safe and still.  Maybe I am all the hope and stength that I need.  Who knew?  Who knew the broken one would be the strongest?

I know that I truly understand mental illness and all that comes with it.  Turning my back on someone that truly needed my help would go against everything I believe in.  I want to stop the stigma.  I want people to be more aware and understanding of the mentally ill.  It is real not something we make up.  We are real people with real lives.  We deserve to live a good life too!