"Before I left on medical leave, I had taken on additional work to help a colleague whose husband was very ill and had been out for a few weeks, so I carried her caseload. Apparently, they have a different standard if you take leave because of mental illness."
[…] Pooh for a day. Amy Willer is an advocate, writer, volunteer, friend and community member with bipolar I with psychotic feature and PTSD. She has survived suicide attempts twice and has overcome addictions to self-injury and anorexia. She lives in southern Arizona, and loves hiking and spending time with her friends. Note: This […]
[…] across the nation in urban neighborhoods have adopted trauma-informed curricula and expanded mental health programs and services beginning in early childhood education. We will know when the suicide rate among black children between the ages of 5-12 has decreased. We will know when more African Americans say, “I’m going to see my therapist on […]
There is a lot of misinformation surrounding mental illness still present within our society. Here are some of the common myths people make about mental illness and the accompanying facts.
"When you are feeling alone, it can be very helpful knowing there is someone who knows exactly what you are going through."
[…] thrive with bipolar disorder. Carrie Cantwell is an Emmy-nominated film industry graphic designer with bipolar disorder. She grew up with a bipolar dad who she lost to suicide. She's finishing a book entitled Daddy Issues: A Memoir, about how accepting her diagnosis taught her to forgive her dad and herself. Her blog is darknessandlight.org. […]
[…] father would criticize psychiatrists, or “shrinks” as he called them. At the same time, he often talked of and gave me lessons about how to die by suicide when I was a toddler and adolescent. These quiet moments of “teaching” gave him focus and kept his mind from unraveling further. The last time I […]
"I was on the path to becoming a physician and experienced judgment from a close family member. I could only imagine what those who actually battle mental illness must go through."
"He was in tears telling me that he felt hopeless and had no will to live. It broke my heart because I know that feeling very well, as I have bipolar disorder."
[…] Today Therapist Directory, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990, NAMI HelpLine: 800-950-6264, Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. Author’s Note: My deepest heartfelt thanks to my spouse Izzy Goncalves for helping me reach recovery and be resilient over the past […]
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “NAMI” to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
