First off, I'm going to be brutally honest not for attention but because I want you to know why this cause is near and dear to my heart. I was diagnosed with BPD, Bipolar I, and C-PTSD when I was 15. I've struggled with mental health my whole life but through the help of organizations like Emotion Matters I'm able to achieve stability and build my self reliance and resiliency. I attend skills and processing groups as well as learn about traditional and alternative therapies. I use the pain that comes along with mental illness and recovery to fuel my passion and empathy for others and most important to myself. 

I think BPD gets a bad wrap and is super stigmatized because high functioning people like me who are successful clinicans (I'm a Director of a program for middle school students reintegrating back into the school community after an extended absence due to mental health and/or medical crises, for God sakes, I've learned to cope and haven't let the stigma of mental health (a professor of mine in my MSW program once referred to a person living with BPD as having third degree burns to your mental health). Another referred to people with BPD as "wild animals who need to be locked up and tamed". Although BPD is a spectrum high functioning people rarely openly share that they have the disorder or don't seek treatment so providers typically see those in crisis who are struggling. 

I keep up with my self care because my mental health and physical health are connected and the life I have created for myself requires me to do so. DBSA's partnership with Emotions Matters allows me to attend groups several times a week or daily if I choose, free of charge. With long waitlists for treatment providers and the need for a community that understands your struggles and welcomes you that you can be your whole, honest, authentic self to is a priceless experience that are open to all community members living with BPD, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety and their families. There are specialty groups for Veterans and BIPOC community members. Please consider donating it's your contributions that provide access to treatment when treatment is needed for so many vulnerable people all around the country! Anything helps us reach our goal! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk LOL!