In Treatment

I live with mental illness and I refuse to be ashamed of it. I recognize that the wisest/safest  thing to do here is play these cards close to my chest. By revealing this part of my life in a public forum I run the risk of burning bridges and changing the way that the people I know now and the people I have yet to met think of me.

I’ve decided to blog freely and openly about my experience for two reasons.

First, I want support and encourage the those who are in situations like my own. Living with mental illness is often lonely and daunting, in part because we don’t talk about it nearly enough. It does not have to be like that. I want to talk. I want to listen.

My second reason stems from the stigma placed on us. Acceptance of mental illness has progressed enormously over the years and yet we still have a long ways to travel. The fact that I had to weigh the pros and cons of blogging about my mental health only proves just how far we are from being truly accepted members of society.

Blogging about my mental health, or lack thereof  may come back and bite me in the ass someday. I’ll take that risk in exchange for the smallest chance of making a positive impact.