I was so scared of seeing a doctor because I knew what the outcome would be. I didn’t want to put a label on myself and have it define the rest of my life.
Every day was a struggle to get out of bed and go to school. I didn’t feel like doing anything anymore and lost interest in everything I loved to do. I eventually found a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with bipolar disorder.
I was two hours away from home in a hospital where I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was relieved, but scared because I had only heard horrible things about this condition.
I have struggled with my thoughts for as long as I can remember. In elementary school, I would think about suicide before I even knew what suicide was. I never planned my future or said what I wanted to be when I grew up because I didn’t think I would ever get there.
It was hard to accept my mental health conditions, but I am grateful that all of this happened, because I’m stronger than I have ever been before.
To my family: thank you for encouraging me to seek help and for reassuring me that it’s okay to take medication for depression because it is, after all, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
"I have a NAMI family that deeply cares as I strive to heal wounds within myself and my household."
"To you reading this, I hope you find yourself, I hope you find prosperity, and I hope you pass the torch and provide encouragement to your peers."
The pain of watching my child suffer over the last two years has given me purpose and the will to keep advocating for families however I can.
Many of us living with autism are left feeling trapped when our instincts and behaviors don’t fit into the narrow confines of what is deemed “normal.”
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ADHD Awareness Week, Oct. 14-20, is a time to take stock of what we know about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is one of the most common mental health conditions in children. Although it is often thought of as primarily existing in children, much has ...
Half of all mental illness begins by age 14. Many people do not know that. They also do not know that, on average, eight to 10 years will pass from the onset of symptoms to the time of intervention for those living with these conditions. In the life of a child, those are...
Next year marks NAMI’s 35th anniversary. Recent years have seen landmark changes in health care reform, something NAMI has steadfastly worked toward throughout its history. In 2013, the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid expansion —which are still ...
This summer when we heard President Obama calling for a “national conversation on mental health” to get people talking about mental illnesses in a positive and productive way, we knew exactly what he meant. In Minnesota, plans were already under way for a very similar pr...
April is the Month of the Military Child . This awareness month was established to highlight the important role that children play within the military community, and to recognize the sacrifices that they make as their parents serve in defense of our country. Jus...
Shadows in the Sun: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light Within By Gayathri Ramprasad Hazelden (2014) Purchase Growing up in Bangalore, India, Gayathri Ramprasad’s life is highlighted by doting relatives and the traditions of Hinduism. Her father’s go...
A NAMIWalk is made up of people living with a mental illness, their families, friends, caring professionals and members of the community who all join forces to celebrate and further NAMI’s mission. At our NAMIWalk in Delaware, we are all strengthened by the courage, enthus...
My symptoms started when I was ten years old. My heart would pound and I’d feel lightheaded. I would feel disoriented, like I was living in a fog or dream. I would be sweaty and shaky and feel as if I was going to faint. I knew these feelings weren’t normal, but I didn’t w...
Researchers have found that teachers and other school personnel may show bias against children in divorced families without even realizing it. This bias can impact expectations about a student’s academic, social and emotional functioning. Even though children are amaz...