What Does It Mean to Be Mentally Ill?

Understanding Mental Illness from the Inside Out

When a diagnosis is square one, every investigative step you take in deepening your understanding is a positive motion toward improvement. Every effort is integral in the journey to staving off stigma and embracing your dignity.

So, I’m happy you’re here.

Whether you are facing your own diagnosis or caring for someone who is struggling, this is a community you can count on. I’ve written these letters directly to you as a way of imparting the strength and faith that you deserve. These are my messages of empathy and understanding to you, in hopes that you’ll find power in your path and invigoration in discovering what bipolar means to you.

My words to you as:

A Person Navigating Their Mental Illness

A Courageous Caregiver to a Mentally Ill Person

A Media Professional Covering Mental Illness

To Those Who are Diagnosed

I’m not an outsider, I’m the “bipolar rabbi.” “Bipolar” first because that’s my badge of honor. Like many of you I struggle with my condition. To be honest, I hate it. But, from despair, mania, depression, and anxiety, I had learned profound spiritual lessons. “Bipolar” has been my teacher. A severe and ruthless teacher. But one who had disclosed understanding, compassion, and strength.

I know that many of you have learned at the same painful school of life.

Sometimes I wonder how much knowledge the mental health community has learned. Very few have seen darkness, desperation, stamina, courage, and resilience as we have. We are a powerful community of life teachers. Our wisdom reservoir is immense.

I invite you to delve into the best of philosophy, personality type theory, and spiritual wisdom to articulate and disseminate our lessons. I would like to make available to you inspirational and renewing tools that will maximize your potential.

I will remind you that you’re a person and not a patient. That you are infinitely more than your diagnosis. Above all, I will affirm that we deserve dignity. Wherever we go, we will travel with our heads high. We are carriers of wisdom.

To Those Who Care

To you who cares for somebody with a mental illness I want to say three words: I love you. You are a holy person. Your care reaffirms the most fundamental tenet of love for its own sake.

I also want to acknowledge your burden.

You have made many sacrifices in your life. Your existence is more difficult. And in many cases your dedication passes unrecognized. My pledge to you is to make available spiritual tools that could bring energy in times of depletion, balance in moments of crisis, and enlightenment in moments of darkness. Those tools will help your loved one and thus generate a healthier dynamic in your nucleolus. Let’s connect the power of your love and spiritual wisdom. You also deserve care, so much care.

To Those in Media

You are more than media reporters; you are the most influential teachers of society. You shape the character and view of the country. Your words have an immediate and profound impact.

I need your help.

The mental health community is frequently demonized. The act of one deranged individual became a condemnation for thousands of the nicest people who live decent lives. Those who struggle with mental illness need your help.

We deserved to be portrayed by our wisdom, courage, stamina, and resilience. I invite you to get to know us. Dispel prejudice by the power of your word. I commit myself to engage in a dialogue with you. The time has arrived for the mental health community to be known and respected. That process begins with a fair coverage of who we are. You hold that power.

You’re Not Alone

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