Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is during this month that we raise awareness of the stigma and struggle of those dealing with mental health difficulties. It is a time of self-reflection as we look mental illness squarely in the face and tell ourselves and those around us that this is not something to be ashamed of. It is not caused by sin in our lives. Every person with a mental illness is not in a facility or on the streets. We are your mothers and fathers, your spouse, your children and your friends. We are warriors.

I started my mental health journey when I was a child. I first attempted suicide when I was 12. At 14 I was diagnosed with bipolar. In my 20’s my diagnosis changed to schizoaffective disorder – a combination of both a mood disorder and schizophrenia. I didn’t just have bad years, I had bad decades. Times when I couldn’t get out of bed or spent money we couldn’t afford. Times I did spend in facilities, grateful my spouse understood and was willing to care for me when I couldn’t work. Times I would sit and scream because I thought I was literally in hell being tormented by Satan, hallucinating demon bugs crawling over my scalp or voices I thought were real telling me things from nightmares.

But there were good times as well. I was able to find a medication cocktail that rescued me from the hallucinations and delusions. I was able to serve God. I made friends that love and support me. And God was always with me, even when his love struggled to reach through the psychosis. Some of you may remember when I would sit in church and cry. I’m not that person anymore but those memories remind me of what so many people go through.

Only a small percentage of those with mental illness have a severe form of it as I have. They may not cry in church, but they may go home right after feeling disconnected from the rest of the body. They may take medications that make them tired or overweight. They may need a friendly smile or hug, something that says, “I love you” or “I’m here for you”.

So, this month think about those in our midst who struggle silently. Let us not sit in judgement of those who may be on the streets because they don’t have access to the medical care they need. Let those around us feel God’s love through us. We are all God’s children, and we all struggle in different ways. Understand that while mental illness is serious and impactful, it does not define us. We work, love and play. We parent and serve. We need your love and support. Even when we can’t give it back. Love us anyway.