By: Mary Baird
As the mother of five children, three of whom have mental health issues, I have survived many crises detailed in the poem I am submitting. As a NAMI leader, I delight in teaching others how to navigate the mental health systems that are there to help. My mental health matters as much as my children’s and teaching others makes what I have been through and still deal with meaningful.
1st Place · Adult Writing (2022)
Scared…
When my mother had a breakdown during a trip as I drove.
Scared…
When my sister started having delusions and has never been diagnosed or treated because of her schizophrenia.
Scared…
When my youngest son suffered a brain injury when hit by a car and later when he considered suicide as a teen.
Scared…
When my daughter told us she was bulimic while we lived in Europe and had to be returned to the states away from home to get the help she needed.
Scared…
When I got the call that my son in the Navy had a breakdown in training and had to pick him up.
Scared…
When I had to call the police for help for my sick children acting out and watch them carried away in handcuffs.
Scared…
When I found my middle son in a tepid bathtub out of his mind after a failed suicide attempt.
Scared…
When my husband left because he could not handle our children’s issues.
Not scared…
When I discovered the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and found help.
Not scared…
When I get a worrying call from one of my children because I know what to do and what to say.
Happy…
Because I can share what I have learned as a NAMI leader with my husband who has learned too.
Happy…
Because my children are on their medications and living on their own.
Proud…
That I have fought for them, loved them and found good doctors and effective hospitalizations.
Proud…
That they have come so far and done so well despite their issues.
Mental Health matters because our loved ones matter. There is hope and effective medications that make a difference in my life as well as in theirs.