You Are Not Alone | If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, there is HOPE
I’m so honored to have been featured in NAMI’s End of the Year appeal. I hope that my story will inspire others in their own mental health journeys. Mental illness is a manageable illness and there is hope no matter how hopeless you feel. Hopelessness is a persuasive and dangerous symptom of depression; it convinces... Continue Reading →
Found another suicide note in my thirteen year old’s daughter’s bedroom. The note is more specific than the first one we found last summer that upended our lives. This time she has a date and a means (“OD on whatever she can find” or “hang.”) She’s becoming more savvy. Tons of questions plague my mind:... Continue Reading →
When I’m feeling well, I feel very resilient, but when I’m not—when depression sets in as it inevitably does— I feel weak, like I’ve failed to stay well and I should have known better. I think, “How could I let this happen? Why didn’t I practice my coping skills better? How did I miss the... Continue Reading →
I hear this a lot when I'm in the midst of a depressive episode. It's understandable that someone who doesn't suffer from depression wouldn't know what to say. Thankfully there are plenty of resources and services out there to educate oneself and learn. This article, in particular, provides some helpful advice for caregivers, friends, and... Continue Reading →
Sometimes you can do all the right things (e.g., practice gratitude, mindfulness, reframe distortions, use positive self-talk and affirmations, exercise, eat right) and depression can still rear its ugly old head in and leave you in a world of suck. I’ve really been struggling the past few weeks and my biggest fear is: what if... Continue Reading →
During this time of year, my mood often plummets. Whether it’s due to less daylight, colder temperatures, less physical activity, back to school blues, or triggering family holidays, I become more irritable and sad. This article contains lots of good advice to beat those blues! https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/depression?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=opt&utm_campaign=vrayler-interest-bipolar-hl-dynamic&fbclid=IwAR2ismr5NzlO1b_ywtoTl4oji3KOPCyBFOKuY0q5yZi29vSP8NLcCf84T8w#beactive
Have you ever left a therapy session or psych doc appointment thinking, ugh. I forgot to ask about x! It happens all the time to me. I either forget to make a note of it, or lose that note, or forget to mention it during the appointment. This article has some great advice https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/therapist-visit-guide?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=opt&utm_campaign=vraylar-interest-bipolar-hl-dynamic&fbclid=IwAR0jcMk6cZNyzc7wTJx4lZsk8pI7BwDqkz5jhWRh8s_sgVGJICYc1EbOGUE#Do%20your%20homework I... Continue Reading →
Of all the wellness tips and techniques I've learned, the most impactful and surest way for me to stay healthy is through peer advocacy. Sharing my story and providing hope to others gives me purpose and value. It also reminds me how far I've come and how important it is to practice all of the... Continue Reading →
C. L. Dunbar Health 
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