Official Site of The State of New Jersey
In 2022 I had a manic episode which landed me in the hospital. My whole life until that moment had been difficult, but I was now engaged to be married, had a brand-new car, and was doing well at my job. After my hospital stint, it took four months in recovery for me to come to grips with the mental disorder I had and adjust to the necessary medication that would keep me on track. Before then, my life had seemed hopeless. I always knew there was something wrong with me, but it wasn't until I received a proper diagnosis from a behavioral health doctor that I finally had the tools necessary to start rebuilding my life. It has been a long and difficult few years, but which each hiccup that happens I learn from it, I grow, and I do my best to become a better version of myself. I am now married and have a house and I am living a relatively normal life. The more I learn about myself, the more power I have, and it gives me hope for the future.
I think the Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma isn't just a great program, it is a necessity. There are so many people in this country who silently suffer from a mental health disorder, addiction, or trauma that slowly eats away at them. The only advice I could give is to seek help - ASAP - because nobody can walk through this life alone. We all need help sometimes, and until you can get a straight answer on what is going on with you, you won't be able to face it and learn to deal with it. One of the hardest parts about seeking help isn't just the fear of change, or knowing whether or not you are strong enough to face your problems, but the stigma that exists at both home and the workplace for those who suffer from a mental health disorder, addiction, or trauma. I truly feel that the only way to move beyond this stigma is through education. Working for the State, I think it would be wonderful if there was a yearly webinar training approved by the CSC that educates those employed about mental health stigma