Warning Signs of Mental Illness

Diagnosing someone with a mental illness is not always easy. There really is not a blood test you can take. There is not really a straightforward way to diagnose someone with a mental illness, but there are warning signs you can look for. If someone exhibits these symptoms, it is suggested they see a medical …

Mental Health Advocates Uniting for World Mental Health Day: How you can Help

Picture of world from wikipedia and created using Canva I contacted the World Health Organization and The White House along with several Mental Health Or ganizations around the world and the media to help unite mental health advocates so we will have a louder voice and make a huge difference on World Mental Health Day …

Weeks/Months/Days Dedicated to Mental Health Topics

Here are some of the days/weeks/months set aside for the various mental illnesses and/or mental health topics.  Take some time to click on the source link to learn how you can help to raise awareness on  the topic. If you own a social media site or write a blog, share information about the topic during …

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week: Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. During the first full week of October, NAMI and participants across the country are bringing awareness to mental illness. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the …

Finding Your Purpose and Going After Your Dreams

I have been a mental health advocate for over 25 years. I have been in and out of psychiatric hospitals so many times that I have lost count. However, I also have accomplished a lot before going on disability. For example, I was a manager of a movie theater, worked as a trainer at Walt …

Mental Illness Issue? Make Your Politicians Accountable!

I write letters to people with influence as an advocate for people with mental illness. It can be very discouraging. I have been doing this for 25 years since I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After seeing the way people with mental illnesses and how are treated, forgotten, ostracized, and made out to be monsters, …

Mental Health Awareness Day & Thanks to Some Governors

I just want to say thank you to the following governors for proclaiming the second week of October to be Mental Illness Awareness Week in their state. For more background on why they did this, click here. (Pictures of Proclamations Below) Montana Kentucky Rhode Island Connecticut West Virginia     I would also like to …

Email I sent to Governors Re: Mental Illness Awareness Week October 2013

Dear Governor; In light of all the tragic events that have been putting mental illness in the spotlight, it is more important than ever to help raise awareness about mental illness by educating people on what to look for, where they can get help and to erase the stigma that is attached to mental illness …

Email I sent to Representatives in the General Assembly in NC

RESPONSES FOUND BELOW Dear Representatives; I recently received a phone call from Senator Burr, have spoken to Mayor Allen Joines, and have received an email from Virginia Foxx. I also have sent a certified letter to the White House, received a tweet back from Patrick Kennedy, a call from the Governor of Montana, and the …

Why June 3rd Is an Important Day in the US, Who is Invited, and What is the Agenda?

  Note: After hearing President Obama and others speak I have to say that I am impressed and am hopeful and convinced that things are going to change regarding mental illness and mental health. This blog entry was written prior to hearing the speakers at the Mental Health Conference.   JUNE 3, 2013: MENTAL HEALTH …

I Have a Dream (Re: Mental Illness)

I HAVE A DREAM by Bipolar Bandit On August 28,1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed...that all men are created equal.” He also stated that he dreams “of a day that his children will not …

Has the Talk about Mental Illness regarding recent shootings over?

It is sad that it takes a tragedy like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary to get people talking about mental illness. What is even sadder is  that even though the media and politicians have voiced concern over how our nation needs to do something about mental illness, nothing really is being done. It seems …

Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 4th thru 10th, 2015: What can you do?

Mental Illness Awareness Week started in 1990.  What can you do to help raise awareness of mental illnesses and stomp out the stigma that still exists today? 1. Contact someone you know who suffers from a mental illness and let them know that you appreciate them and/or how they have fought the fight they fight. …

How much attention will Mental Illness Awareness week get?

As I watch the NFL and see the football players and refs wear pink for an entire month to raise awareness of breast cancer, I have to wonder what will be done by anyone in regards to Mental Health Awareness week get? An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older or about one …