Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Simple Way to Save Lives

NAMI Montana supports, educates, and advocates for Montanans who live with serious mental illnesses and their families. The most basic part of our mission is teaching that these illnesses are medical conditions of the brain that require treatment by both a psychiatrist and a therapist. I’d like to share the words of one young mother that followed this lesson.

Matt, I have been on medication since January, and my life has changed entirely! I am experiencing only happiness and genuine excitement about waking up each day! No more panic attacks, no more anxiety, just a whole lot of me being honest about my condition and really trying to do something about it! Had I taken your advice sooner, I would have probably healed much more quickly. Cognitive therapy works so much better (I speak only for myself here) with medication. Thank God we live in this day and age where it is easily accessible.

I passed this hopeful message on to an email list. Someone used it to convince another young mother who was nearly suicidal due to depression why she needed to see a therapist. The message worked again. It’s what NAMI is all about.