Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

  Curated by: Caralyn Dreyer Written by: Seanna Chiara September 2025 Edition Finding Healing After Rock Bottom, Bipolar, Chronic Pain, and the Spiritual Turn That Changed Everything Editor’s Note  In honor of  Suicide Prevention Awareness Month , I am sharing this Mental Health Spotlight as part of my ongoing series highlighting powerful lived experiences in recovery.  What follows is written in Seanna Chiara’s own words, raw, honest, and unfiltered. Her story is a testament to resilience, healing, and the power of choosing life even in the darkest moments. Content Warning:  This post contains mentions of suicidal thoughts, abuse, and other sensitive material that may be triggering for some readers. Please take care of yourself as you read. What Led Me to My Personal Healing Journey It’s hard to say this out loud, but the truth is, I want to die. I had given up on life. When you hit rock bottom, oftentimes, that’s the point of surrender. And surrender changes e...

  Each month, I shine a light on powerful voices that challenge the stigma around mental health by sharing honest, transformative journeys. This month’s feature explores the inner work it takes to move beyond survival and into healing. It’s not just about managing symptoms, it’s about awakening to the patterns we’ve inherited, the losses we’ve carried, and the truths we’ve buried. The following story offers a heartfelt look at how pain can be a turning point and how advocacy often begins with our own awakening. Carrying the Invisible Burden: A Mental Health Journey  Through Generational Trauma and Personal Loss Written By: Keisha Anderson   Mental Health Advocacy and Impact After experiencing a personal loss and working through the grieving process, I began to recognize  patterns and behaviors shaped by my upbringing-many of which were quietly keeping me stuck and  unfulfilled. That pain pushed me to seek deeper healing, beyond just coping. I turned to therapy,...