Today I am going to start telling my story about my daughter's (and my) journey through the trials and heartaches of mental illness. The journey began around 1975, back when mental illness was a "taboo subject". Back when all problems were blamed ON THE MOTHER, and little was actually known about the subject of mental illness. Back when there was so much stigma surrounding mental illness and no one ever talked about it. Back when many families suffered in silence, as we did. Before 1990, the stigma surrounding mental illness was overwhelming (and sometimes, even to this day is). The one thing we have found out, as a family is, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. When a family has a loved one diagnosed with cancer, diabetes or some other ailment, the neighbors bring over casseroles and offer help. When the illness is mental illness, then the stigma kicks in, and families are left with the feelings of low self-esteem and "what did I do wrong"? and are left completely alone to cope and do the best they can to help their loved one.
I am going to start telling our story, beginning with the younger years and up to the the current days. Hopefully, this will help other families with their struggles. I will be including information gathered from medical sources as well as other agencies out there that provide so much valuable information. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to ask them. If I do not know that answer, I certainly will find the information for you, and get you the answer. GOD BLESS !!!
At the end of my blog, you will find many sources for information. Please research these sites if you want more information. Simply click on the title, and the link will do the rest. Each state in the union has a state chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, and they are there to help you.
