{Break the Stigma}

Breaking news! 

I have something to say that is about something other than making babies and miscarriage…although we ARE starting IVF next month and everyone should totally should know that update too J

Who knew that I’d be able to get so excited about multiple needle injections of hormones that are going to make me crabby, irritable and uncomfortable for several weeks?

I don’t care. Life is just that good.

Between dating my husband, work, the burn unit and school I haven’t had a lot of time for much else in my life. I still don’t, but I managed to make the time for two more things that I feel passionate about.

I wanted to get involved with a local podcast show called “The Cultural Hall Podcast”. This is a weekly show and website that discusses all things trending in the world of Mormon-dom. I’m part of the organizational arm of the show, assisting the creator and founder by keeping schedules and being a bit bossy. Tune in, grab a snack and enjoy the chit-chat.

Last of all, did you know 1 in 4 people suffer from a form of mental illness? I am the 1 in 4.

I am the 1 in 4.

It’s something I used to hide and be ashamed of. 

In 1996 I was in high school and I just couldn't handle being known as the girl on Prozac . I didn't tell many people at all. All I really knew about the drug was that crazy people took it and were made fun of on late night TV. It was the pun to a lot of jokes. I didn't think anyone would understand.

When I was on my mission in 1999, I found my voice to speak up about my depression  because I had a mission companion suffering with it who hadn’t yet been diagnosed. In fact, it hadn’t even crossed her mind. I recognized what she was going through because that was how I felt at age 17. She did get help and thrives happily today.

Back then, I mistakenly thought I was just an unhappy person (even though I was oddly happy too) and that was my normal. It didn't make sense to me that I felt both ways. I didn’t realize life had so much more to offer me until I figured out how to deal with my imbalances.

Years later, depression led to anxiety while living in a single, perfect blonde Mormon world. There was always self-talk that was going through my head and over-analyzing everything I’d said, fearing I’d said something wrong.

I compared myself to everyone and forgot how wonderful I really was. I didn’t think anyone could love me because I was too weird. Although the depression is now totally manageable, anxiety and I are still trying learning how to play nice.

Last Saturday I was invited to participate in a music video produced and directed by a friend of mine who is a mental illness advocate, who recently learned she suffers with Bi-polar II.

What an incredible and INSPIRING project!

When a group of like-minded women get together to make a stand, break a stigma, create awareness and tell their stories, watch out! Magic happens!

This week our stories are being featured on www.dontstopsargeant.com and on Ashley Sargeant’s YouTube channel “Don’t Stop Sargeant” building up to Saturday (October 31st) when the music video goes LIVE.

We want to change the world. Seriously!

These 17 stories are people you know, maybe not personally, but they will represent a friend, a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a wife, a husband, a son or daughter, a neighbor, or maybe just a story you’ve seen on the news.

Too many people suffer in silence. Too many people live with this trial alone, without any support, afraid of the label they will carry. Afraid that “MENTAL ILLNESS” means they are broken and forever condemned with a damning title.

The stigma of mental illness is killing us. Often literally. 

Suicide has affected too many people I know. Whether the ones who've taken their own life, or the ones left behind to try and heal, my heart aches for all of us. Please don't leave us. Please know that there is a better solution. Please?

The stigma of mental illness is limiting our compassion and understanding.

Too many people don’t even realize that their “normal” can be so much better.

Let’s figure out how to cope and educate, rather than ignore and judge each other.

My normal is different than yours, but I’ve figured it out and so can you.

These women represent all of us- male AND female.

It is my hope to be able to look past my own anxiety and fears about my story so that I can give hope to those who are looking for it too.

There is strength in numbers.

We are in this together. Cliche, but true.

LIFE REALLY IS BEAUTIFUL.