“In order to escape accountability for his crimes, the perpetrator does everything in his power to promote forgetting. If secrecy fails, the perpetrator attacks the credibility of his victim. If he cannot silence her absolutely, he tries to make sure no one listens.” ~ Judith Lewis Herman

The earliest memory I have is sitting inside the dark confines of a cupboard, layered in blue formica. Screams echoed around me, but the walls of my mind and space protected me.

I had the honor of being nominated for this fun challenge by Jordyn, from “The Chronically Unimaginable” Blog. The challenge is a Vogue Magazine parody that is currently trending in the blogger-sphere right now (I haven’t heard of it until this nomination). I googled it and listened to a few famous people YouTube their responses. So much amusement listening to Anna Wintour of Vogue Magazine! Linking in my bio on Instagram, as a fun way to get to know me. Thank you so much Jordyn! I am so honored that you thought of me for this challenge. I am also really glad that we are both fighting to end the stigma of mental illness in this world. (The rules are found below my answers.)

A huge revelation came about through my contact with Jody B., episode 35. I learned that I’ve been exposed to a shit load of trauma in my life. It’s really a miracle that I’m alive, and that I raised four kids and am blessed with (now) four grandkids. Do you know your ACE score?

Just in from the World Health Organization — Research has finally connected gaming, addiction, and mental health

Suicide Prevention is an essential necessity in our modern world. Thirty two years ago my brother died by suicide. Hushed secrets, shame & disgrace prevented our family from talking about it. Instead, my mother anguished year after year in silence. I buried it and it took on a life inside my precariously promiscuous wild life.

Guest blogger: John Arenburg.

If you have been an avid follower of my work then you will know that I don't take my mental illnesses laying down. I have been in the fight for a very long time and have been very successful in the past of winning enough battles to enjoy a quality of life that has produced happier times and great moments that I will alway treasure.

Scrolling through Instagram today, I came across a post that read, “I wish I was as fat as I was the first time I thought I was fat.” I couldn’t help but cringe and try to imagine my own thinking along these lines.

Why is it that my motivation and energy for my advocacy is so on point and strong, yet the motivation to head outside and take a long hike for myself is difficult to form into a habit?

Suicide Awareness Day in England is tomorrow, April 5th, 2019. For me, it began in 1987 when it stole my older brother from our family. His diagnosis was Manic Depressive and Mild Schizophrenia Disorder. He lived in a broken home, my mother rarely supported men and my father was abusive towards him