This journal entry is about a school that was new to me as I volunteered along with my boss and Executive President of the Board of Directors for the nation's biggest Mental Health Movement to date... Super cool!
We as in NAMI Stanislaus (Modesto Chapter), set up at Valley College High School for an "Outreach Event". Outreach simply says we are reaching out to the students and faculty to offer them helpful education & resources that in our Nation; is desperately needed at this time; at all times actually.
I've taken a few photos from this event where Dar Thomas and me, Jana Thomas. Dar is my bio-Mother & she introduced me to NAMI Stanislaus when I was straight out of my mind with mental health conditions I didn't know I had.) She helped me by offering to plug me into a Matrix if you will, of awesome people & structure, who support each other, mostly volunteers too like me. There is absolutely zero Stigma at NAMI Stanislaus which is one of the "whys" we enjoyed coming out to this high school where the kids were pretty friendly. Nepetism is NEVER allowed at NAMI Stanislaus as that would be showing favoritism.
I've been volunteering now for close to 6 years with NAMI Stanislaus and, I also work part-time filling the role of co-facilitator for NAMI's Weekly Monday Eve Connections Support Group where Sean and I provide a safe ZOOM room experience for people suffering and living with a mental health condition or more than one; also like me.
I also volunteer and at times am paid as they just received some Grants to help with supporting those suffering and navigating the choppy waters of mental health conditions and learning all the slang and proper English words to describe their experiences as many find mental health overwhelming and are afraid to say out loud that they desperately need some support & navigating the internet and resources.
We were warmly received at Valley College High School by the people we met there and they invited us to help ourselves to the fresh BBQ'd foods that were also available for the students. I found that to be an olive~branch of a true connection. We sincerely thank you for your kindness.
We were here to make it clear for all attending, that fearing Mental Health and the conditions that follow it, can be the most frightening thing. Then on-top of that feelings of being overwhelmed often follow the mental health situation/condition. Not having someone to talk to can lead to suicide attempts and self-inflicted harm to the one suffering. My mind tends to be "busy". I hear songs and see flashbacks of good and not-so-good images. I take medications for this and they have helped so much in managing my Anxiety & Bipolar Type:1. Lexapro & the Lithium have been the two medications that have given me my new and improved brain back.
I also have been diagnosed with ADHD and find that the Strattera an oral mini-capsule I take at bedtime really helps to slow down the "racing thoughts" in my brain ever present before the meds within my brain. Lithium Carbonate ER (Extended Release) is the "Gold~Standard" in managing Bipolar Type 1 and I can say it changed my life for the better. It stabilizes my brain so I can focus and have better clarity with decision-making etc. NOTE: Unquiet Mind is my #1 favorite book that gave me some peace about learning I was different than those people without a diagnosis.Kay Redfield Jamison, MD is the author who also lives with the Bipolar. It was captivating to read...
Thank you to all the employees who treated us so well and made it impossible to not feel welcome.
NOTE: If you or someone you know is seeking a FREE regular support group for those managing a mental health condition there's a NAMI Stanislaus FREE Support Group that meets every Monday from ZOOM @6:30PM to 8:00PM.
For those supporting someone living with a mental health condition on Mondays at the same time of 6:30 PM to 8PM, there is a "Family Support Group" via ZOOM where those who are trying to be there for their loved one will find calmness, structure & hope. We also have a monthly electronic delivery method, a newsletter with all sorts of great info to help you on your journey.
The contact information for ALL of these FREE from us To You offerings is located on our website@ https://namistanislaus.org/ .
I sincerely hope that any, all or just some of this information finds you all doing well but if not; you know how to reach us now. :)
Thank you,
~Jana Leigh Thomas :) read more