My Story, Part 4 of 4: Recovery is Possible for Anyone!

People need to know that there is hope, there are working tools for mental health challenges, and there can be a happy ending!

People are always saying after my classes, "Mia, this class and what I have learned will stay with me! You were so engaging, and you made the material come to life." Honestly, though I have heard this a lot, I still get bashful and want to hide. I know what they have experienced is really greater than me, but an experience we have had together. It’s the people that attend and the synergy we undergo that makes the encounter so healing and energizing. 

Before I knew about Mental Health First Aid (I mentioned in the previous post), I used to wonder what I could have done to better prepare my family the night before I tried to take my life; how I could have warned them of the storm brewing inside. Outside of screaming at my husband and angrily shoving him days before, I had stopped communicating with nearly everyone. 

I had not felt like myself for months. I was easily irritated. I was inhaling food like a hungry pig, barely sleeping and not caring for my appearance. Now when I look back, I see those were signs and symptoms that my family did not know how to read or how to respond.  Many people do not know what to do with the symptoms they are seeing in a co-worker, student, or family member. Often they lack of knowledge, which can exacerbate the problem. 

As I learned and taught the Mental Health First Aid course, many questions I had about my illness and the illnesses of those around me became clear. I could see harmful patterns that could have been redirected. I became committed more than ever to sharing because I knew first hand what it was like to suffer from mental illness, to lose people to mental illness, and to now be equipped to help myself and others—which felt sacred and wonderful! 

Now I get to teach the same skills that help me stay well today and empower people to do the same. Fulfillment and a pain unwasted best describe the joy I have when I step into a classroom or log into a virtual space to teach because I know for sure that what people will gain from the course with me will be invaluable!!! 

What a journey, right?

Would you like to know how to help someone you know with a mental health challenge? I think it would be great if you and your friends, family members, church members, or coworkers would take the Mental Health First Aid training with me. A lot of unanswered questions you may have may be uncovered for in this course. If you have a group of 10 or more people that need to take Mental Health First Aid, contact us today to get your team certified! 

—Mia