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ENDING THE SILENCE CAMPAIGN

Ending the Silence with a NAMI and DBSA Hybrid!

By Unlisted&Twisted!Published 2 years ago Updated about a year ago 3 min read
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[Photograph by Olivia R. Petrus]

NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The DBSA – The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Both are organizations dedicated to the same goals – eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness by stretching boundaries, uplifting all voices, and even taking crash courses in courtesy - on educating those that lack insight the courage to keep barking about mental health awareness! NAMI, of which I am more familiar with, is a 501-c3 non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and behavioral disorders. NAMI was conceived in basements by individuals struggling in silence and shame across the nation since the early 70’s. NAMI’s 2022 campaign to, “End-The-Silence” or ETS on the stigma and shame associated with living with and/or loving someone with a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder has called leaders to be active channels or voices to help share inspirational stories of hope, resiliency, unity and strength to help truly eliminate the stigmas and boundaries associated with the abuse, shame and silence surrounding mental health awareness.

The Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance is funded by Medicaid. It, too, offers free mental health resources - like the virtual, peer lead support group meeting I try to make every week - across the nation.

“Ending-The-Silence” on the stigma associated with the loss of loving a young adult victim you just love too much to ever let go of comes with dark stories of fear, shame, isolation and despair. Readers shouldn’t fear this author though. I'm just a Stay-At-Home type, unemployed low level healthcare provider. And yes, I like to vape! Yes, I like my coffee. Yes, I can do insane magic tricks that people expect me to magically relive that were realistically terrifying. This story would be so boring if I was the only character. It was never about me. It was about all the OTHER tormented souls I've encountered along my journeys of making way too many social media accounts to keep track of!

According to Mr. Daniel H. Gillison Jr., the CEO of NAMI, that in 2020, "One in three teens and young adults (ages 18 to 25) reported a mental illness in America." This begs the question, how many didn’t say a word??? He goes on to state that, "6.8 million of these young adults reported serious thoughts of suicide." Again, WHO did they reach out to? Where? When? And whose really keeping count??? Who DIDN'T? The opinion of this survivor of suicide attempts is that the trend of silence should end with peace and solidarity, not fears of networks, connections, and disparagement. I've had the PRIVLIDGE of reaching out to these organizations via Wi-Fi connections by ESSENTIALLY learning the hard way. Maybe that's the way I like it. Maybe there are REASONS for that...

Who wants to see ANY child, animal, elderly or disabled soul die??? The harsh reality is some do. The hopeful edge to that double-bladed sword of stigma is that there are many advocates and allies that agree solemnly to assist graciously.

NAMI urges ANYONE with lived mental health experiences or chronic disorders to unite in ensuring to be active voices in ensuring access to high quality local mental health-care crisis intervention resources are equitable and fair.

Ending the Silence surrounding mental health disorders dares any first responder to share their story of HOPE despite SURVIVING the nightmare of suicide attempts, rape, mental illness, or the likes. This survivor can refer readers to the following links for access to more online information and resources regarding mental, behavioral, and/or substance abuse disorders: [NAMI.org]. [Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance]. [TheTrevorProject].[The Rape and Incest National Network]. [The National Institute of Mental Health]. or their local healthcare providers!

Pet-Lovers are encouraged to seek emergency pet information assistance by referring to the following link [ASPCA.org]. This stands for The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They can also refer to The Humane Society of the United States at [HSUS.org]. or their local animal healthcare providers!

ANYONE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS ASSISTANCE IS ALWAYS encouraged to text “HOME” “HOPE” “NAMI” or “DBSA” to 741741.

In America, please CALL the Suicide Helpline at 988 for ANYONE that is in concern of a loved one behaving too loudly across the nation or interested in becoming an advocate to end the silence on suicide with hopeful, silly stories of unity. Not bitter swigs of whiskey TOO early in the morning!!! Unless it's like the Holiday's or something. Don't shoot me, SOMEBODY MIGHT BE LIKE, "WHY'D THEY SHOOT HER??? SHE WAS TRYING!!!".

Be a gentle leader. They come in many forms.

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About the Creator

Unlisted&Twisted!

Welcome Readers! Thank you for checking in! I am a young, mentally ill young woman with a passion for mental health awareness, music, and writing! I hope my stories inspire you. Follow me here or on Instagram @unlistedandtwistedblog

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