World Mental Health Day & 10 Months

October 10th (yesterday) was World Mental Health Day.

That's a pretty big deal.

I am positive that we all know someone who has mental health issues.

I am one of those people.

I have two children who have depression and anxiety.

I have a child with Autism, anxiety, ADHD and learning disabilities.

I remember when my little brother, Logan, was a newborn. 

I was 4 1/2 years old.

I remember him crying in his crib and, as a four year old, going in while my dad fixed dinner and getting him out of his crib and soothing him.

I remember neighbors, ward members and family members coming for weeks to take care of my brothers and I while my dad worked.

My mom never came out of her room.

Obviously, she had post partem depression.

At the time, it was called a nervous breakdown.

But there was no help for her.

She was isolated in a dark bedroom.

Most likely feeling shame and guilt and sadness and hurt and fatigue and confusion and anger...

But it wasn't a thing then.

It was something that anyone talked about.

We've come a LONG ways.

And, I am grateful.

I am a huge proponent for medication.

The right medication.

Thankfully, the medication that I am on is super helpful.

I am a huge proponent of meditation and yoga.
I wasn't until my stroke... but I sure am now!
I am a huge proponent of working out, eating well, and having a kitchen cabinet with at least two people who root for my rise.

I am a huge proponent of having a support system. 

I am a huge proponent of talking about these things.

They aren't weird.

They aren't shameful.

They aren't embarrassing.

Our value is not based on our mental health.

Mental health issues are real.

They are wide-spread and all-encompassing.

They don't come to certain ethnicities or certain demographics. They don't come to certain ages or races. They don't come to certain religions, genders, financial backgrounds.

They come to everyone. No matter what.

No more hiding!

In other news, which is kind of rad - World Mental Health Day is also my 10 month anniversary since the stroke.

And, guess what?

I'm rocking it!

I work out.

I do makeup and skin care.

I raise four boys.

I work three jobs.

I watch my nephews.

I laugh.

I cry.

I sing.

I dance.

I am strong.

I am brave.

I am sassy.

I am a survivor and WE are pretty rad!