by Shannon in New York

I have been struggling with mental illness since I was a child. At the age of seven, my mother and father separated. I started pulling chunks of hair out of my head. I would wake up with a pillow filled with hair or the way I saw it, shame. Shame has been my biggest M/O for relapse or suicidal thoughts.

My mother and father took me to a dermatologist where they diagnosed me with alopecia arietta. I lied and said the hair fell out. I held on to that secret until years later.

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by Joan in Wisconsin

Early in my childhood, I was sexually abused and threatened to stay quiet. I have often wondered if those events had not occurred would I have had a normal life, even though mental illness is prevalent in my maternal gene pool. As my young life progressed, secrets came out and people were hurt.

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by Jenn in Pennsylvania

I was voted the funniest girl out of my graduating class in 2006, but what my class did not know, what no one knew, was that I was not okay. Throughout my life I continuously put on a mask of indifference; I never felt anything and I never would think about who I was or who I was becoming. Instead of understanding such essentials, I made jokes and pointed fun at those who did. I laughed on the outside about people who had drive or who had a purpose. I just wanted to party and forget about life.

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by Anthony in Texas

I have had a hard time getting treatment for my mental illness. I found out the hard way that the only way I was able to get treatment in the rural town I live in was to lie about how I felt and what I was thinking. The person I spoke to at my local mental health center didn't know what to do for me so she ran to a judge and had me committed.

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by Addie in Florida

My depression was most likely learned behavior from a mother who drank everyday and a father who seemed depressed and despondent. I remember arguments and fighting as a young child. Then my parents divorced. This started my fears and insecurities. I remember being center stage, then on the back burner.

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by Starlett in Colorado

I have dealt with many a crisis with my bipolar diagnosis, as well as drug abuse and hospitalizations. For many years the illness disrupted every part of my life. I was diagnosed when I was in my early 20s but did not stay on any of the medications. I had some therapy, but not regularly. Mostly my life was a rollercoaster. When I was high it was great, but when I was down, I was suicidal and made many attempts to end my life. I have two children and nearly five grandchildren. I have been married three times and currently am living alone.

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by Mark in North Carolina

I've been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia approximately 11 years. When I first was diagnosed, it scared me. I had never heard of it before. I didn't know the symptoms to look for or anything. I rejected the help of healthcare professionals, family and friends.

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by Madison in Pennsylvania

Because of my mental illness, I had to leave my profession in social work and claim disability. It put a strain on my marriage, resulting in a divorce and emotional strain on my parents and brother.

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