In my lifetime...

"Let's use this moment to send a message to tens of millions of Americans especially the young people and the parents of young people all over this country," Biden said, speaking quietly. "There is nothing, nothing to be ashamed of if you are struggling with mental issues or if your child is or your spouse or your friend. It's okay. It's okay to talk about it. It's okay to ask for help. It is okay to acknowledge that it is frightening."----Vice-President Biden at meeting at the White House on 06/03/13

While I was growing up with Maxine, there was little conversation about mental illness.  Inside or outside my family.  As a matter of fact, it seemed to me almost like there was a conspiracy of silence.  Nobody spoke to me directly about my Mom and her behavior from the context of support.  I don’t know what was said outside of my presence.  I am sure that there was much discussion as she deteriorated.  But none was directed to me. When I was grown, I had many people express support for me.  Like our family doctor, they acknowledged they had been worried about me. And admitted that they had been concerned that I might be impacted by my Mom.  But they never said anything directly to me when I was a child. For a child growing up with a mentally ill woman, those expressions of support would have meant a lot.  So would education about mental illness and its impact.  Needless to say, sometimes I was drawn to read about mental illness.  Even as a child.  But reading about it, and being aware that there were ways to cope with it are two different things.  And I don’t recall ANYBODY discussing that with me.  I didn’t even know what questions to ask.

Recently, there has been an increase in openness to discussing the topic.  If you Google bloggers writing about mental illness, you will find that I’m certainly not the only one.  As my daughter and I discussed this openness , both of us talked about how we believe that it corresponds to the growth of computers and reliance on the internet.  Of course, there is also more attention being paid to the topic at this time due to the debate over gun control and whether mental illness is what’s responsible for the growth of violence in our society.  Of course, it isn’t. But Sandy Hook certainly has increased interest and discussion.

On Monday 06/03/13, the White House held a conference talking about mental illness.  What a change.  I am grateful that it happened during my lifetime.  Because with dialogue comes the opportunity for change.   I am here to be a voice for change.  I also hope to continue educating people about mental illness---from my viewpoint and understanding.  As I read the comments by our Vice-President, I was extraordinarily grateful.  I felt like he was talking directly to me.  How do you feel?  This is my celebration of the 10,000^th visit on my blog.  May many more people find this blog and find knowledge, hope, and comfort within its pages.