Standing Up To Mental Health Stigma Stories

These are personal stories of people who said "no" to mental illness stigma and decided to disclose that they, or their child, have a mental illness. (Yes, unfortunately, parents of children with mental illness face stigma too.) As you well know, stigma is prevalent in our society and many people with a mental health disorder feel like they have to hide in shame because of the stigma and discrimination. Why do these people, and millions of others like them, publicly disclose they have depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, an eating disorder or other mental health disorder? Read their mental health stigma stories to find out. (Information about contributing your story is here.)

	Story: I Disclosed My Bipolar Disorder on Facebook My name: Sara Johnson Age: 31 Diagnosis: Bipolar 1 Disorder, PTSD Symptoms since: 1998
	Story: I Have Bipolar Disorder: Blooming Slowly My name: Kathy Boehm Age: 48 Diagnosis: Bipolar 2 Simptoms since: 1997
	Story: Opening Up About Postpartum Psychosis My name: Jennifer Moyer Age: 45 Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features Symptoms since: 1996
	Story: Coming Out of My Mental Health Closet My name: Connie Walcott Age: 56 Diagnosis: Bipolar, PTSD, DID Symptoms since: 5th grade (age 10)
	Story: Coming Out With Depression and Anxiety My name: David Burney Age: 37 Diagnosis: Depression and Generalized Anxiety (GAD) Symptoms since: Anxiety as a kid; Depression as a teen
	Story: Disclosing My Mental Illness Was A Process My name: Natalie Jeanne Champagne Age: 27 Diagnosis: Bipolar 2, Anxiety, ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorders, recovering from Addictions Symptoms since: age 12
	Story: Why I'm Public About Having A Mental Illness My name: Tracy A. Butcher My age: 32 Diagnosis: Bordeline Personality Disorder, Bipolar 1, PTSD, OCD Symptoms since: 1985
	Story: Mental Illness and Self-Stigma: A Personal Story My name: Hilary My age: 32 Diagnosis: Bipolar 2 Symptoms since: 2005
	Story: Mental Health Stigma and Medical Professionals: My Experience My name: Holly Ann Rivera Age: 27 Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder & General Anxiety Disorder NOS. Other Mental Health issues: ED, Self Harm, and traumas Symptoms since: 1997
	Story: Stigma of Being Branded Bad Parents My name: Chrisa Hickey Son's age: 18 Son's diagnosis: Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms since: 1995
	Story: Disclosing My Child's Mental Illness My name: Amy White Son's age: 18 Son's diagnosis: Bipolar 2, BPD and Mood Disorder Symptoms since: 2010

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