ohbloodyhell8

While Carrie Fisher and I did not share the same diagnosis, we shared the same approach to mental health. While my reach is clearly not as far and wide (I don’t have access to the Millennium Falcon), I do my best to advocate and destigmatize mental illness to change the conversation to mental health. Ms. Fisher, much like Patty Duke, helped me to see my strength. I could do anything I wanted to with my life in spite of schizophrenia. It did not have to define me. Did it shape me in many ways? Of course. But it doesn’t define me.

Take a few moments to read this:

carrie fisher mental health quotes BuzzFeed
Think about how many people you know that live with some type of mental illness. Think about what would be missing in your life if treatments had not advanced, if those family members and friends were not strong enough to do life every day while managing mental illness. Be inspired and then help destigmatize mental illness. 

We need this to be a conversation about mental health, and not be fearful of illnesses that are still so misunderstood. Educate yourself. Read articles (no, just reading the title or headline doesn’t count, in this and all forms of becoming less ignorant). Talk to people about it. If you have questions, ask someone you know with mental illness to share about what a day is like for her.

Carrie Fisher’s mother, Debbie Reynolds, died today. A day after her fierce daughter. In memory of both of them, educate yourself about mental health. And watch Postcards from the Edge. Freakin’ hysterical.

Rest in peace, ladies. And Carrie, others will keep up the good fight. We’ll use the Force.