Fighting Goliath for Mental Illness Blog

Responding to the Silent Battle Against Suicide—Be Informed, Educated, and Ready to Support “There is a silent battle raging in the minds and hearts of a vast number of people, and they haven’t told a single soul. Or maybe they sent out a couple SOSs via a joke or a…

Some days in life etch themselves into your memory—not because they are beautiful, but because they split your story into “before” and “after.” One of those days for me began with a trembling phone call from my oldest.  Two weeks after that devastating phone call, I sat in the backyard…

Today marks one year since my dad left his earthly body and went to be with the Lord. Hispassing was sudden and deeply painful for my family and me. What was supposed to be a routinehip replacement turned tragic when a blood clot formed after surgery and traveled to his…

It’s been nearly 19 years since the car accident that caused my PTSD. I can still remember the sounds, the sensations, and the bone-deep fear that I experienced that day. The moment another driver got distracted behind the wheel and slammed into my car at 45 miles per hour, I…

Do you have the courage to rise and believe—even in the middle of deep depression? Can peace be found on a day filled with despair, or in a season marked by suffering?  If you live with bipolar disorder, you know the ups and downs can feel relentless. Some mornings, just…

“Suicide survivor.” Two words I never imagined would be part of my story. Yet, during an intense 2.5-year battle with anxiety and depression, I attempted to end my life twice, eventually spiraling intopsychosis. At rock bottom, I found myself in a pit littered with guilt and shame, suffocating beneath itscrushing…

It was a sunny South Florida Saturday, but inside a tiny Mediterranean-style cottage, I lay in darkness. The birds sang, but their melody was drowned out by the weight of my grief—so heavy it felt like a thousand-pound weight pressing me into the couch. I had lost count of the…

Director, Sid’s House Mental Health Association in Stokes County, NC(sidleemha.org and on Facebook) Honoring Vincent van Gogh and Raising AwarenessMarch 30—Happy 172nd birthday, Vincent van Gogh! In your honor,three international mental health organizations established WorldBipolar Day, recognizing the posthumous diagnosis of bipolar disorderthat shaped your turbulent yet brilliant life.Your art,…

What is fear? Webster's dictionary defines fear as "an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused byanticipation or awareness of danger. Many people who live with bipolar disorder also live withan anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or socialdisorder. When feelings of fear surface, these feelings can amplify…

You cannot find the answer to despair within yourself. The only One who can do this is Christ. He is my only hope. John 6:37 reminds us: "Whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (ESV). Even when the darkness lasts forever, He will never give up on you.…

Should I Disclose My Bipolar Diagnosis Disclosing your bipolar diagnosis is a profoundly personal decision that only you can make. If you choose to share it, ensure you are emotionally prepared to discuss your diagnosis. Consider potential challenges, such as adverse reactions or the possibility of your diagnosis being used…

It’s that time of year—the so-called “most wonderful time of the year.” But in reality, it doesn’t always feel that way. The hustle and bustle, the constant rushing from one thing to the next, can leave many feeling overwhelmed, drained, and emotionally spent. Sometimes, the energy to embrace the festivities…