Breaking the stigma

Today I gave a speech in Toastmasters about mental illness. Everyone replied positively about it. I was very nervous. They couldn’t tell until I picked up my last page of notes and the paper was shaking. I should have left the paper on the lecturn.

I did my part today in spreading the word about mental illness, in breaking the stigma. If we all do our part, soon having mental illness will be as accepted as having cancer or diabetes. It will be as empathized with as well. That should be our goal, each and every one of us.

Many people did not know that the numbers were so high. They did not know that major depression is the leading cause of disability in developed countries. That is bad.

Suicide is growing in astronomical rates. Something has to be done to get help to people who need it.

Right now I have a very dear friend is in the midst of her mental illness. I brought her to where I live so she can get the mental health care she needs. She is mad at me though because things are not going as easy as she thought they should go. She will barely talk to me. I keep telling her to hang in there. There is nothing more I can do. I have lead her to the source of help. It is up to her to take that help. The only thing I can do is pray for her. And I have been doing so on a daily basis.

It is hard sometimes to see loved ones still suffering, when they don’t see what they are doing. I am very thankful to be where I am right now in life. God has blessed me abundantly. I get to spread the word in recovery to help others to the best of my ability. To show the way the best way I can.

That is all we can do. One day at a time.