Hey Y'all!

I've created this blog in order to make you aware of a Grassroots organization that is near and dear to my heart and mind, NAMI.

NAMI stands for, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

For three decades, NAMI has established itself as the most formidable grassroots mental health advocacy organization in the country. Dedication, steadfast commitment and unceasing belief in NAMI's mission by grassroots advocates have produced profound changes. NAMI's greatest strength is the dedication of their grassroots leaders and members. They are the families, friends and individuals that serve to strengthen communities across the country.

Due in large part to generous individual, corporate, and foundation donations, NAMI is able to build on its success and continue to focus on three cornerstones of activity that offer hope, reform, and health to the American community: Awareness, Education, and Advocacy.

Mental illnesses range from the more well known BiPolar Disorder, to disorders that most people wouldn't normally consider mental illnesses, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders. I myself am a woman living with BiPolar Disorder.

Mental illnesses are MEDICAL conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are MEDICAL conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental illnesses include major Depression, Schizophrenia, BiPolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Borderline Personality Disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.


Mental illnesses can affect persons of ANY age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are NOT the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.

I am participating in NAMIWalks MetropolitanHouston on May14th 2011. I have created a team called the BiPolar Bears. Please, if you would like to join my team, go to my TeamPage. Or if you would like to sponsor me in my walk you can go to MyPage and donate. You can also go to the NAMI website and look up a NAMIWalks in your area in which you can participate.

More information on NAMI and NAMIWalks can be found in my upcoming posts.

~I'm not "crazy," I'm just "A Little Bit Special"~