Hope That Has Led Me Out of the Darkness

"In a way, that's been the key to my still going strong for all these years. Every time I reach out beyond myself--to my family and friends, to my doctor, to my coworkers and the public to whom we bring the news, to the whole community of people who battle depressive disorders, and to the one i have turned to ever since I was a boy in Brookline--I find hope that has led me out of the darkness."

These words from Mike Wallace highlight a key part of dealing with and recovering from mental illness: reaching out to others for help and support. (For a more detailed story, see Mike Wallace: Speaking to a Nation).

Next week is National Mental Illness Awareness Week, and Thursday is National Depression Screening Day. Both of these times are occasions to educate yourself about mental illness and recognize how you or someone you know may be feeling the effects. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a great place to start. The more you know, the more you can help reduce the stigma around mental illness, and the barriers to getting help.

If you're looking for help and support, remember that during Mental Illness Awareness Week, your first session is FREE at Pfeiffer Institute Reach! We offer low cost individual, couple, and family therapy, and for the first full week of October, the first session is FREE! Call 919-941-2900 or email contact@pfeifferreach.org today!