I attended a Spring Craft Show as a vendor and was blessed to meet several mental health survivors or family members of mental health survivors. Listening to their stories and struggles proved that despite how prevalent mental disorders are, they are so unique. Mental disorders cannot and should not be pigeon-holed nor cookie cut into one bucket and offered only one source of solution or help. Every person is an individual and no one’s needs are the same as anyone else’s.

I was taken aback when they thanked me for my bravery in publicizing my diagnosis of IED. It’s actually the contrary: every one of them showed me, a stranger, a courageousness which is rarely seen. Watching their eyes well up with tears as they recounted their personal struggles or the struggles of their loved ones, humbled and inspired me.

I pray for everyone I met yesterday, and for those who are struggling in silence and shame. If you are in the latter, please realize that you can live the life which you want because you’re not the only one who has a mental disorder. We are everywhere, 1 in 5 of us. Grab onto to your hope and faith. All of us understand. I understand.