I want to challenge you, those in this community that are sharing their experiences and stories. I know that we are all at different levels in our journey, and there is the idea that I had heard that blogging is not what it was when I first introduced the Bipolar Writer Collaborative blog but your stories matter. The challenge is that you continue to find ways to share your stories at the moment.
The stories are the reason that we are fighting to end the stigma. As we share the experiences in the moment of what we have been through as much as possible, it means that you might reach one person. I am honored to all that share their stories, and you are doing a fantastic job. The challenge is to look beyond blogging and into other platforms. Blogging is great, and writing is what I love. If we challenge the next generation of human beings who struggle with mental illness without too many resources, we need to find ways to bring them into the fold. They are the ones that will be taking on the challenge that we all are fighting for–ending the stigma.
Growing up in a world that we never talked about mental illness culturally and in America’s schools was tough. I had no idea that I had a mental illness. I knew suicide was wrong, but now what it meant to be suicidal was steeped in more profound meaning. The truth was that even when my diagnosis at twenty-two. It was a struggle to get an understanding and the outside world. There were not many resources or groups that I knew of, and it meant I was alone.
Technology and social media platforms are at our disposal. We can use what makes us comfortable. The younger generation needs to hear our stories even if you are in your twenties or beyond. Mental health advocacy is a collaborative effort for all of us. No matter our age or sexual orientation, the stories are essential to our collective effort to let the world know with one voice that they will hear us. That is what I challenge. Writing a blog is excellent, but as I learned in 2020, there is so much work that we can do. Mental health advocacy is something we all can do at a level that is good for you.
Stay strong in the fight, share your stories, and know I am always with you.
The Bipolar Writer Podcast Interview with A.K. Wilson – The Bipolar Writer Podcast
Always Keep Fighting.
What is the worst that can happen?
James Edgar Skye
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The Bipolar Writer Mental Health Blog 
I love the challenge that you posed.
We really need to share our stories more and more
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Yes! We really do, the stigma needs to end.
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Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
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Yes, the more we share the more others feel inspired and comfortable to share. Great post James❤ It’s like that publuc service commercial when we were kids, “the more you know”.
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Yes! We can all do this!
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Thank you for doing what you do. We need more people coming forward and normalising mental health. ❤️
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Normalizing mental health is one of the goals. Sharing the stories is how we get to that point that stigma no longer exists.
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