NAMI Blog

"I’ve seen, first hand, what stigma does to a person. I’ve experienced it with my 25-year-old, big brother, who—because of stigma—refuses to receive help. He does not want to be seen as "crazy.'"

"I have bipolar II disorder. For me, anxiety is a large part of my condition. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are already very difficult to manage, and the anxiety I experience on top of it can feel completely debilitating."

While friendships can be challenging when you have mental illness, they are ultimately worth the effort.

The current workplace challenges faced by millennials, such as greater competitiveness and lower job security, can lead to exacerbated mental health symptoms. However, this generation is more willing to advocate for mental health in the workplace. 

"It’s baffling, as a mental health advocate now, that no teacher, no adult or anyone close to me had noticed the warning signs. I had no therapy, no one asking me how I was doing. There were no questions about my wellbeing. I was just labeled as a shy child."

Telling a new partner about your mental illness can be scary, but it is a necessary step to have a healthy relationship. If you're unsure when and how to bring it up, here are a few tips. 

For someone who has an anxiety disorder, becoming a parent can significantly impact symptoms. Here are the ways Vanna has learned to cope with her increased anxiety after having kids.

"Despite what the Internet tells you, how many self-care apps you have or what your social media following suggests—there isn’t any replacement for professional mental health treatment."
 

Some common self-help suggestions people receive are to exercise, meditate and be more present, which are helpful and work for many people. However, other proven methods aren’t mentioned as often.

Journaling can help someone with mental illness track their symptoms, understand their triggers and see patterns of behavior. Here's how to approach journaling in an effective way.