Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

💌 Give Your Anxiety a Voice Feeling Overwhelmed? Try This... Take  5–10 minutes  to write a letter to your anxiety or fear. Don’t argue or try to fix it. Simply notice it and give it words. Why It Works Externalizes your emotions  → easier to manage. Reduces rumination  → clears mental clutter. Engages creativity  → promotes reflective calm. How to Do It Find a  quiet space  and a notebook (or digital document). Start with  “Dear Anxiety”  or another name that fits your feeling. Describe your  thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations,  without judgment. Reflect on how you  feel afterward . 💡  Tip:  Even 5 minutes can help you feel more grounded and self-aware. Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back!  For more updates:  Instagram click  here Substack click  here My podcast, Through The Darkness: A Mental He...

From Crisis to Coping: How Recovery Skills Can Save Lives and Build Hope Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this post is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment or advice. If you are struggling or thinking about suicide, please know you do not have to go through it alone; help is available. In the U.S., you can dial 988 to be connected to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline right away. If you are outside the U.S., please reach out to your local emergency number or a trusted crisis resource in your area. This topic is deeply important to me as someone who has lived through mental health challenges and now advocates for recovery. I share my experience and insights as a way to raise awareness, provide hope, and remind others that healing is possible. Key Insight Suicide prevention isn’t only about responding to crisis; it’s about building coping skills that guide us through life’s hardest moments and create long-term recovery. Why This Matters to Me I’...

How to Talk to Your Kids About Mental Health and What It Teaches Us About Recovery Summary Talking about mental health with my child doesn’t just support them, it strengthens my own recovery. With school back in session, here’s why opening these conversations matters and how to do it in a way that feels honest, open, and hopeful. Key Insight Talking openly about mental health with your child doesn’t just teach them; it strengthens your own recovery. Every honest conversation lays the foundation for trust, resilience, and lifelong coping skills. Why I’m Honest About Mental Health with My Child As a mom, I’ve always made it a point to be open about my mental health. I talk about my experiences honestly, about struggles, coping, and healing, so my child understands that mental health is a normal part of life. I realized early on that hiding my feelings wasn’t protecting them; it was creating a wall between us. When they asked questions about why I sometimes seem sad or overwhelmed, it bec...

 September 2025 “Monthly Mental Health in the News: On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, we honor lives, break stigma, and spark hope through open conversation.” Suicide prevention is deeply meaningful to me as a suicide attempt survivor. Talking openly about suicide saves lives, reduces stigma, and builds connection. On World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, we honor lives lost, support those still here, and remind one another: you are not alone. Understanding the Global Impact On  September 10, 2025 , the world observes  World Suicide Prevention Day , focusing on the theme  “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”  This day raises awareness about the global public health issue of suicide, which claims over  700,000 lives annually , according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The impact of suicide extends far beyond the individual, deeply affecting families, friends, communities, and societies at large. Suicide is the  fourth leading cause of death a...

Summary Sometimes, healing looks like an emotional shutdown, and it can feel like a sign of strength. But that numbness may be a detour, not a sign you’re doing better. In this post, you’ll learn how to tell whether you’re truly building resilience or just shutting your feelings off, and why it matters. Quick Insight Strength in recovery is about being emotionally present and processing what comes up. Numbness, although it may feel protective, is an emotional disconnection that can hinder true healing. My Story: When Feeling Nothing Seemed Like Something I remember the moment clearly: I thought I was "strong" because I didn’t cry at that old trigger, couldn't remember why it used to hurt me so much. Later, I realized I wasn’t strong; I was numb. I’d shut down to survive, and that numbness felt like peace…until it didn’t. Over time, I learned the real sign of strength wasn’t not crying, it was feeling and surviving the tears. I began noticing when I was processing emotions...