Don't Give Up

By Debra Hoppe

Part Six

Giving up is a normal instinct that a person has so it is a struggle to do. I know that I am a strong person and have a will that is solid. I try to think of the positive aspect of life and carry on. I have lived through two comas and have been able to tell people about them so I can say I haven’t given up.

A person has to set goals in their life and stick to them. Goals are hard to accomplish but that is one of the reasons you don’t want to give up. Another reason is that it only hurts you and the people around you. I know it is hard but when the chips are down I just pick myself up and dust myself off and get with the program. It will be beneficial for all concerned if a person sticks it out and completes the goal at hand.

Another reason to not give up is your self esteem. Your self esteem is one of the main things a person has that carries them through in life. If a person is having a bad day with their self esteem try looking at yourself through the eyes of another person and see what you come up with. You might be surprised with what you see.

Self esteem is important to all concerned because it affects not only you but the people around you. I have a high opinion of myself. I guess that is why I haven’t given up. I have a family that is proud of me and a boss that is happy with what I am doing. That is all that matters right now so I manage to make the best out of every situation that comes my way.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say and I hope that I have been an inspiration to you. Take care of yourself and please don’t give up. It is important to stick with it and you will be a better person for it. Next time I will be talking about sticking to treatment.

Gary Mihelish Receives NAMI's National "Distinguished Service" Award and is Elected to the National Board

NAMI Montana is incredibly happy to announce that Dr. Gary Mihelish received NAMI's national "Distinguished Service Award" for 2013. This is NAMI's highest award. Past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award include Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Dr. Joyce Burland. Dr. Mihelish is a longtime leader of both NAMI Helena and NAMI Montana. He helped lead the charge for mental health parity in the Montana legislature and has been a teacher of Family-to-Family with his wife Sandra for over a decade. Dr. Mihelish has also been a means of support and information for desperate families across Montana that didn't have anywhere else to turn.

Dr. Mihelish was also elected to NAMI's national Board of Directors. This will allow him to bring his passionate service for people who live with mental illness and their families to a nationwide platform. This is a critical time for mental illness advocacy in America and we are extremely happy that Dr. Mihelish will be helping lead the fight.