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Running for Mental Health: 6 Reasons It Works For Me

I've been a runner for over half my life, but I've never known how to convince other people to start running. Everyone already knows all the reasons to start: improved cardiovascular fitness, increased life expectancy. Everyone knows that more time in the sun means more vitamin D. Everyone has heard about, if not personally [...]

By | 2021-04-28T14:49:00+00:00 April 28th, 2021|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on Running for Mental Health: 6 Reasons It Works For Me

I Served, Too

It seems simple enough. I served, too! In the US Army, for eight years and even deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. But I and thousands of other women vets, many also married to a veteran, are always overlooked, not only by the public, but also our fellow veterans and the systems that [...]

By | 2020-11-18T19:44:41+00:00 November 18th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on I Served, Too

I Can’t Remember a Time Before Mental Illness

I can’t remember a time before mental illness in my life, a time before the thoughts of my own death swam in and out between wondering what was on television and which crayon I wanted to pick next. I can’t remember a time before seeing “visions” that no-one else saw, a time before hating [...]

By | 2020-10-08T14:07:00+00:00 October 8th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on I Can’t Remember a Time Before Mental Illness

Fighting a War in My Head

I was diagnosed in high school with depression and anxiety then later in life diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Looking back on my childhood, I can see the ways I was struggling then and the unhealthy coping skills I learned. Being diagnosed helped in some ways because it gave me a concrete reason as [...]

By | 2020-08-26T15:46:02+00:00 August 26th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on Fighting a War in My Head

Get Up

About the Author: Darrin Mosley Jr. is a York native who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Slippery Rock University. Darrin, who majored in Dance and minored in Theater, can be found in various theater productions around Pittsburgh. Darrin also enjoys teaching the love of dance and performing to Pittsburgh youth. [...]

By | 2020-07-29T17:05:50+00:00 July 29th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on Get Up

To Thrive Instead of Just Survive

Trigger Warning:  The following content contains light discussion of sexual violence. Sometimes I just stare at the wall.  Sometimes I just stare at the wall and find myself in the Land of Make Believe. I can run, play skip, and dance, and no one will look at me like I’m the C word (crazy). [...]

By | 2020-07-15T22:20:48+00:00 July 15th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|1 Comment

Recovery is Possible

I haven’t always struggled with seasonal change, it wasn’t until the age of 35 in late autumn that I had my first struggle with seasonal change and I attributed much of this to my loss of work during winter months.  I was self-employed as a home remodeling contractor and my workload peaked during spring, summer and [...]

By | 2021-05-14T15:15:50+00:00 June 25th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|2 Comments

A Man Who Chooses To Tackle the Battle

Men and Mental Health used to sound like an oxymoron. When I grew up it was “boys don’t cry,” or “suck it up,” or my favorite “stop acting like a little girl,” as if girls were the only ones who experienced different emotions. Now, I’ll agree that showing your emotions is a sign of weakness to predators [...]

By | 2020-06-17T20:30:05+00:00 June 17th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|Comments Off on A Man Who Chooses To Tackle the Battle

Whittling the Chip on my Shoulder

I often reflect back on my initial diagnosis, relapse and how far I’ve come beating a path to recovery. We all know the stigma associated with mental health. Being a man, particularly in Marine Corps during my initial diagnosis, carries a little extra weight. I’m the oldest son, biggest brother and head of the household. I grew up playing and [...]

By | 2020-06-10T15:13:38+00:00 June 10th, 2020|NAMI Blog, Personal Stories|3 Comments