Mental Illness

Today is my day off from work, as I spent the weekend at work working. So I guess you can call it a comp day -- a "We're sorry you had to work this weekend... Take a weekday off so you maintain your sanity and so we don't have to pay you overtime" day.

And as usual, I was ready for this day off. Work has become increasingly trying to me -- I have become more and more frustrated and affected with the bickering between co-workers. So to have a day off and a day away is welcomed.

My plans? Nada!

I'm enjoying having the day to myself -- completely to myself. No errands. Very few chores.  Heck, I haven't even turned the TV on yet.  But I did watch a movie this morning on Netflix -- Silver Linings Playbook.

I wasn't sure if this was a movie I wanted to see (hence why I didn't see it in theaters or rent it via Redbox), but this morning I pressed play.  And I was instantly drawn into the story of a broken man with a broken heart and a mental illness who tries to cope with life and find his way back to himself.  I connected to the main character because of some familial experiences. I connected to the supporting actress because of my personal roles in others lives -- playing the healer, the helper, the encourager, the distracter.  It so beautifully and appropriately displayed the effects of depression and bipolar disorder... It really hit home for me and my experiences with others.

I don't really know why I felt the need to blog this morning... Except to say that mental illness is hard. It's debilitating. And if you have a friend or family member suffering from any of the forms of mental illness, you need to know how important you are to them, to their health, to their recovery.

I have not (yet) suffered from acute mental illness.  But I have many loved ones who do.  And going through the struggles with them -- it's hard, it's heart breaking, it's involved, and sometimes it's draining and scary. But to see someone come through those hard times and to be able to assimilate back into life?  Worth every minute. Worth every late night phone call, every tear, every frustration, and every invasion of your life. To see someone feel whole again after having been broken into a million little pieces?  Oh there are no words to describe the miracle of that.

Mental illness is serious. And those suffering need their support system.  Don't abandon someone because they're struggling. Surround them with your love and your friendship and your encouragement. You don't always have to know the right thing to say -- you just have to be there to listen and to love.