I may still be new to this site but per a little session I had with my therapist it does go with the time of the year as well as our society as far as mental illness. Right now it is graduation season and back in my time in high school it was rough but anyhow here I am ready to tell how it was and if you have experienced what I did then we are all in the same boat in life.Back in my high school days (circa mid 1990s), I went to a high school not as culturally diverse or even at that time that mental illness didn’t play a part in social society. I was back then bullied and rejected for what I suffered from but no one understood not even the school faculty supported me either. So it was really hard to learn and concentrate on what I wanted to pursue. I spent those days either suspended or not even going at all. So two weeks prior to graduation, I got kicked out of school and was eventually taken out in handcuffs in front of everybody by the school cop and they were taken off after I was off the premises. I got my diploma but I was never able to walk or even celebrate with anyone let alone not have a cap and gown anyway. Although I was able to achieve some post high school success academically and professionally I was never the same and 20+ years later (23 at this moment) I believe that what I wanted to achieve when I was young could still be within reach.
So now I am speaking to all who may have experienced what I did back then, but even with mental illness being more spoken about in today’s society, that we are all very grateful for what we have and get to utilize to help us get through these issues we suffer from each day. People like me don’t want to continue to run and live with the matters that gnaw away for the longest of times that I can remember. So if you or someone you know is or has graduating in some form of education, always savor the moment and embrace it for all time since in true adage we all live once and we all make the best of all opportunities that come our way. So in closure never lose sight of what you want to pursue in life believe in yourself and have the positive attitude and mindset to carry you. I do show respect for all as well as me to not let mental illness define who I am. Take a sledgehammer and bust the wall of stigma down!! #BreakTheStigma
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Agora1: thanks very much indeed for your reply. I love how the people you know never lost sight of what they wanted to accomplish and eventually did so and that is awesome!! I believe in me that my career choice when I was young is still within reach so I shall persevere with my dream and always I will be looking at the brighter side of the day and good things that lie ahead of me. I wish you well and always to be happy and beautiful!!
I agree with your sentiments completely. I really feel for you that you went through that appalling stigmatising experience at high school. It was all terrible but to take you out in hand cuffs in front of others sounds truly horrendous and deeply scaring.
You and others who have been through these difficult experiences should have faith in themselves and still work hard to achieve their goals in life
KKimm: thank you very much indeed for your response. I know that my experience from back in those days was really hard on me, but I do hope that in our society that we all stand up for who we are and not let the bad things define us. So I hope that people like us all make a positive difference in making ourselves better and striving our way to total achievement and confidence for all!!
Now we are finding trauma and pain are roots of most mental health challenges. Not surprising if we fail to get the nurturance we require for healthy brain development, we may struggle a bit. So, slowly...we will and must replace stigma with compassion if we are to be truthful. Gabor Mate is a great teacher about trauma and the outcomes. We can help our brains by recognizing what we were not provided & nurturing ourselves. When I understood why my brain was different, I was less harsh on myself : )
I’m quite touched by your post. I’ve dealt with depression and other mental challenges all my life.
I too was bullied all through high school. My heart goes out to you about the humiliation you suffered being handcuffed and taken out of school for many others to observe.
I was a nerd in my public school years. I wasn’t into any of the social groups, nor was I into sports at all. I was just an isolated kid minding my own business. One day at lunch right in the middle of the quad one of the jocks yelled at me and shoved me into a muddy gutter. Hundreds of other students stood there all around in a circle either laughing or calling me names. The humiliation was beyond reckoning. I left that day and came home crying only to have my mother yelling at me that I was a crybaby. I knew right then and there that suicide was the only answer.
Well somehow I survived that which was 45 years ago. In the 70s no one had an idea of what depression and low self esteem was.
Finally at 20 when I moved out of the house, things started to get a little better. I worked the corporate world for over 30 years.
At 56 I gave up my job and went back to school. I was terrified that I was too old. But everyone has been great. And 4 years later I’m still enjoying college. I’ve been on antidepressant meds for years and they help too.
I have to keep telling myself (when the old bullying tapes play) that that was the past and it’s over. And that’s that.
I still have my challenges. But overall life is good. I’m glad that yours is too. Thank you for your share. It certainly helps to heal my past.
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Mental Health Support
Hard time connecting/relating to people.
I felt joy in my heart 
I can bare this Illness until it hurts someone I Love
