YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hello Everyone,

I am usually not involved in online forums (I often feel overwhelmed since there is so much activity to keep up with) but I think the podcast is absolutely amazing and the fact that Paul has created a whole community based on our mental struggles is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I want so much to be apart of this community so here I am. I want to share and connect with all of you guys here as we combat the demons in our heads together. I also want to be a part of something bigger than myself as we destigmatize mental health issues so I am very happy to be part of this forum.

Oopss...almost forgot to actually introduce myself. My name is Michael Hung and I am a 25 year old asian american living in Texas. I just completed my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy but am thinking about switching careers as a music composer (hopefully I won't be poor my WHOLE life). I have struggled with Depression and Anxiety my whole life (and continue to do so) and had various suicidal attempts and ideation. During my graduate program, I had to take a semester off because things got severe enough that I was hospitalized for about a week for suicidality. I currently take anti-depressants and am in my own personal counseling. Being on both sides of the therapy room as a therapist and a client, I have a true respect for mental health issues and healing. I am a firm believer in counseling and support groups as they have saved my life in many ways. Even though I am currently in a depressive state, I feel that my self-work and constant growing gives me the coping tools to manage and live fully even amongst Depression and Anxiety.

Anyways, thanks for allowing me this space. I am very excited to be here!

Michael

Hello, Michael! I am new here, myself.

Glad we are newbies together CheySkye!

Welcome to you both.

Michael, I think you'll find the forum not as frantic as many spots online. Even more amazing, I've never seem even a hint of trollish behavior. It's a real safe place to be yourself, I find, although it's the only place I've posted anonymously in many years.

It's so wonderful to hear from a mental health professional who's been to some of the dark places, too. Just from the reaction I get from people who've never struggled with mental illness, I can't imagine working with someone with no clue what it's like to have your brain working against you and your thoughts out of control at least on the mild end of things.

As much as I understand the desire to work in a creative field, I can't help but hope you decide your two career goals aren't incompatible.

Bigeekgirl

I just read your reply to your post and I am deeply moved. I feel so welcomed by your response. You are absolutely right...i think it is tough to be an effective mental health practitioner without the experience of working through your own demons. Thank you for mentioning that...I used to feel ashamed that I "couldn't get my shit together" even though I was working as a therapist. And I definitely want to dedicate my life to both music and helping others with mental health issues. Again, thank you for your response. I just wanted to say that I deeply appreciate your words

Michael

I used to feel ashamed that I "couldn't get my shit together" even though I was working as a therapist.

Sounds like depression's awful lies right there. You know, I don't think very many people even have shit together. But the "normal" folks who don't have the problems we have see their shortcomings as a part of life and don't beat themselves up about it.