Mental Health Awareness - Jennifer McCready

Way back, close to 15 years ago, I experienced something that knocked me off my feet. And I don't mean knocked me off my feet in a good way. Not a good way at all.

I experienced, for the first time, depression.

I didn't know what the hell was wrong with me. Was this normal? Did everybody feel like this? Am I going to survive this?

Depression consumed me. It grabbed a hold of me and said Jen, I own you. And you have no say in the matter at all. I'm going to make people think that you're crazy I'm going to make people think that you are not normal and I'm going to make people think that you are not someone they want to be with. Even worse yet, I'm going to make you not like yourself. I'm going to make you want to curl up in a ball and cry. Cry all day. I'm going to make you second-guess everything that's ever happened to you and everything that you're doing. I'm going to make you hate yourself.

I'll be honest, I have no idea how I'm even writing this right now. Because depression and anxiety has done so many terrible things to me. So many things that I honestly can't even fathom how the heck I'm going to provide you with examples of things that it has done to me in the past.

Let's Flash Forward to now. Thank God now there are many resources and Facilities that are there for people who are struggling with different mental health struggles. Thank goodness that now it has finally had a light shined on it. Thank God now the word stigma has a solid meaning for the majority of us in this world. Thank God it is now easier to talk about your mental health.

Because of my personal Journey with my mental health struggles, I have vowed to do whatever I can possible to help other people.

It is hard when you have anxiety and depression or any other mental health struggle to take care of OTHER people AND take care of yourself. It's possible. Because honestly, helping other people, when I'm able, helps me and helps me heal and helps with my recovery.

I've developed a new package that I'm going to be releasing in the next little while that is going to provide a means for people to use my photography as a form of therapy, to help them with their own, personal mental health struggle.

About a month ago I was emailed by a beautiful woman that I haven't had the honor of meeting in person yet, asking if I would be a panelists at a conference that I have been admiring for a few years.

Jenn Wallace is the Founder and creator of GWEn Inspire - A Full Day Event!

The other day I finally had the pleasure of meeting her in person. Talking to her, felt like talking to somebody I've known for years! We talked about the event and of course Mental Health.

I'm completely honored to be a part of GWEn!

Last fall I spoke at a the Niagara Leadership Summit For Women 2018 at Brock University and it literally changed my life. It gave me one BIG step up towards my ultimate goal of recovering from PTSD.

I am so looking forward to GWEn, next week, and I hope to see some of my friends there! All of this stuff that we're doing is all to help end the stigma surrounding Mental Health. It's so very important!

http://gwenconference.com