Mental illness has long been cloaked in shame and fear, but in the past several years, mental health education has helped enlighten the public. Kelly Powers is board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness San Mateo County
I want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for Lenny Mendonca to share his personal story with the community and with your readers.
Mental illness and mental health challenges have long been cloaked in shame and fear. In the past several years, mental health education as it relates to homelessness, addiction, teen anxiety and depression, social media bullying and an increase in suicide has enlightened the public to understand that this is a disease much like most other illnesses.
Mendonca’s personal story was moving, intelligent and instructive. Depression and anxiety know no demographic boundaries. There are tools and strategies and even medicine to combat the symptoms of this disease. Asking for help is the right step to getting better. Share your story because you will be helping others by being brave and vulnerable.
I wish Mendonca a path to feeling better and want him to know that he has helped an enormous amount of people by sharing his story with us.