You may have read articles on mental health from objective or subjective point of view. But I would like to teach you from lived experience. That is the term we use for one with a mental health condition. You may have felt some mental pain before (everyone has) but there are many more difficult and severe ones. Mental pain is not like having a broken leg or high blood pressure. It can’t be seen, but it is felt. I may be physically fine to mow the yard, but mentally drained. I find that being in public for longer periods of time can wear me down mentally.

Mental pain is a brain disorder and can be treated. I became ill in 1979, when the medications for mental illness were designed in the 60s. I suffered horribly for 17 years. However, a new medication came out and it worked. My nervousness subsided in a couple hours and after a week, my thinking had recovered. I then had to put a whole life back together.

Just a pill can totally change one’s outlook. So know it is a brain malfunction that is chemical in nature and can be treated. I realize I am one of the fortunate ones, but there is hope for all and things can and do get better. I listen to Blues music sometimes. Before, I didn’t understand what they were talking about when it was pain. Now, I understand and can relate.

So it’s brain disorder that can be treated. And there are many millions of people affected in our country — between 20% and 25% of the population is affected. Personally, I am OK. I have made mental wellness my career. I am a speaker and a writer. I also sit on many boards and committees. I always have a reason to get out of bed. I do need 9 to 10 hours of good night’s sleep. These meds are very strong, and coffee is needed in the morning.

I hope the insight I have can help others. We should all use our voices to help others. We must teach the realities and bust the stigma and improve lives. So I hope you don’t look down at people with MI, but know we are dealing with a difficult situation and are trying our best. We can use a hand up, but we do add character to a community, and I think we are likable. Sure, we see people struggling. It can be hard to see, but a smile can help, and I think we will be OK.

This is just a snapshot into mental health. I hope it was helpful. On another note, I’d like to say the younger generation is more accepting than previous ones and they make me feel hope. There is much literature available if you’re interested, and I would encourage you to get involved if you would like. We must all work together on this, and if I have sparked your interest, that’s great. Services are out there, so if you need, please reach out. They are here to help you get better. I’ll see you down the road.

Steven Miller is a mental health advocate in Cedar Rapids. Over the decades, he has held various positions with the National Alliance for Mental Illness and has traveled the country training other mental health advocates to model the NAMI’s mission. Locally, he serves as a longtime board member and past president of NAMI Linn County.

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