The Lord laid on my heart to share why I shared my story and why I am choosing to live stigma free. Here are some reasons why:
1. There is nothing to be ashamed of! It took me a while to realize this and to accept the fact that an illness is an illness; whether it's mental or physical, it should be viewed as the same, however, with a mental illness you cannot see it. You realize it by a person's behavior in which people are judged so harshly by others. You would never make fun of a person who is battling cancer, why would you do that to a person whose battling a mental illness? Much like a person struck with a visible physical illness, the person did not ask for their mental illness. If someone would have told me that I would be diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 16, have episodes and relapses and be on medication, I would think they were trying to curse me. But this is my reality and I've learn to take my "curse" and turn it into a blessing by being open with my story to touch a soul; especially the soul that is considering suicide.
2. There are too many people dying because of not managing their illness. According to Mental Health America, found on www.mentalhealthamerica.net, an article entitled "Suicide" states, "The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder." I have bipolar disorder and I know what it feel like when you are ready to give up on life. The moods, the thoughts, the depressions, and all that comes with the disorder, I understand it. This is only a statistic for bipolar disorder and depression but there are suicide rates for those with other mental illnesses as well that are just as severe. My hopes of telling my story is to bring light and hope through Jesus Christ and what He has done for me and how he has been my anchor, carrying me through bipolar disorder. I've been truly blessed by how others survived and how some were healed from their bipolar disorder. If people only knew that they are not alone when they are ready to quit, it will save a heartbreak of the loved one of the person who committed suicide.
3. It makes people aware and gives them the ability to understand. Since I came out with my story living with a mental illness, I've had friends come to me and say how they are so glad that I shared with them about my illness so they can better understand me. I feel so free now and wondered why did I try to keep it a secret for so long, all in the name of shame? There is more awareness being brought forth and social media really helps get the word out. You can go on instagram and hashtag #mental health, or #mental health advocate, or #mental health awareness or #mental illness and you will find tons of support groups out there! There is an organization called "This is my Brave," founded by Jennifer Marshall aka twitter and instagram name @Bipolarmomlife whose blog and transparency really encouraged me to go forth with my story. I would hear a lot in the Christian community, "don't claim it," but who said my illness was a death sentence? How can I not claim something that my behaviors are obviously showing that I have symptoms of an illness? How can I give God glory from healing me from something that I never claimed I had?
These are my 3 why's of choosing to live stigma free. I pray for whoever reading this blog that you will be encouraged, that you will understand that you will be set free in Jesus name! Amen
Love always,
Sheree B
1. There is nothing to be ashamed of! It took me a while to realize this and to accept the fact that an illness is an illness; whether it's mental or physical, it should be viewed as the same, however, with a mental illness you cannot see it. You realize it by a person's behavior in which people are judged so harshly by others. You would never make fun of a person who is battling cancer, why would you do that to a person whose battling a mental illness? Much like a person struck with a visible physical illness, the person did not ask for their mental illness. If someone would have told me that I would be diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 16, have episodes and relapses and be on medication, I would think they were trying to curse me. But this is my reality and I've learn to take my "curse" and turn it into a blessing by being open with my story to touch a soul; especially the soul that is considering suicide.
2. There are too many people dying because of not managing their illness. According to Mental Health America, found on www.mentalhealthamerica.net, an article entitled "Suicide" states, "The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder." I have bipolar disorder and I know what it feel like when you are ready to give up on life. The moods, the thoughts, the depressions, and all that comes with the disorder, I understand it. This is only a statistic for bipolar disorder and depression but there are suicide rates for those with other mental illnesses as well that are just as severe. My hopes of telling my story is to bring light and hope through Jesus Christ and what He has done for me and how he has been my anchor, carrying me through bipolar disorder. I've been truly blessed by how others survived and how some were healed from their bipolar disorder. If people only knew that they are not alone when they are ready to quit, it will save a heartbreak of the loved one of the person who committed suicide.
3. It makes people aware and gives them the ability to understand. Since I came out with my story living with a mental illness, I've had friends come to me and say how they are so glad that I shared with them about my illness so they can better understand me. I feel so free now and wondered why did I try to keep it a secret for so long, all in the name of shame? There is more awareness being brought forth and social media really helps get the word out. You can go on instagram and hashtag #mental health, or #mental health advocate, or #mental health awareness or #mental illness and you will find tons of support groups out there! There is an organization called "This is my Brave," founded by Jennifer Marshall aka twitter and instagram name @Bipolarmomlife whose blog and transparency really encouraged me to go forth with my story. I would hear a lot in the Christian community, "don't claim it," but who said my illness was a death sentence? How can I not claim something that my behaviors are obviously showing that I have symptoms of an illness? How can I give God glory from healing me from something that I never claimed I had?
These are my 3 why's of choosing to live stigma free. I pray for whoever reading this blog that you will be encouraged, that you will understand that you will be set free in Jesus name! Amen
Love always,
Sheree B
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| Me and my beautiful cousins at our cousin Patrice wedding: Photo cred: Cousin Kim |
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