The statistics report that 1 in 4 people will have suffered from a mental illness at some point in their lives. This means that many of us have first hand experience or know someone who has a mental illness. This is a tough topic because of the stigma. I have personal experience with my mother. She suffered severe depressions when I was growing up and was ashamed of her condition. She was reluctant to seek help, until she finally had to be hospitalized. This had great impact on me. It’s painful, scary and difficult to see a loved one wrestle with mental illness. I learned that not confronting a mental illness creates more suffering. Unlike my mother, I choose to write about this topic without fear or shame. I am empowered to say that to live is to suffer and no one is exempt. In the past years I have experienced some very difficult and dark times. Exercise, being able to move my body was a great help. A walk, a bike ride a hike and it lifted my spirits. This blog entry is dedicated to my mother and those who live with mental illness.
