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    dennis lagman
    The speaker discusses attending NAMI's National Day of Action to advocate for comprehensive mental health reform and the passage of a Comprehensive Mental Health Bill. Mental illness affects people of all backgrounds but access to appropriate care can help treat conditions like bipolar disorder. After struggling themselves, the speaker wants to help reduce stigma and show that people can thrive with support. Advocates need to continue pushing Congress to take action on comprehensive mental healthcare that prevents suicide and coordinates treatment.

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    Speech

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    dennis lagman
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    The speaker discusses attending NAMI's National Day of Action to advocate for comprehensive mental health reform and the passage of a Comprehensive Mental Health Bill. Mental illness affects people of all backgrounds but access to appropriate care can help treat conditions like bipolar disorder. After struggling themselves, the speaker wants to help reduce stigma and show that people can thrive with support. Advocates need to continue pushing Congress to take action on comprehensive mental healthcare that prevents suicide and coordinates treatment.

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    The speaker discusses attending NAMI's National Day of Action to advocate for comprehensive mental health reform and the passage of a Comprehensive Mental Health Bill. Mental illness affects people of all backgrounds but access to appropriate care can help treat conditions like bipolar disorder. After struggling themselves, the speaker wants to help reduce stigma and show that people can thrive with support. Advocates need to continue pushing Congress to take action on comprehensive mental healthcare that prevents suicide and coordinates treatment.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    60 views2 pages

    Speech

    Uploaded by

    dennis lagman
    The speaker discusses attending NAMI's National Day of Action to advocate for comprehensive mental health reform and the passage of a Comprehensive Mental Health Bill. Mental illness affects people of all backgrounds but access to appropriate care can help treat conditions like bipolar disorder. After struggling themselves, the speaker wants to help reduce stigma and show that people can thrive with support. Advocates need to continue pushing Congress to take action on comprehensive mental healthcare that prevents suicide and coordinates treatment.

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    It is an honor and a privilege to be here today, at NAMI’s National Day of Action.

    Seeing

    people, of all ages from all over the country come together gives me this so much hope,

    that change is really possible. Those of us here today know that mental illness has no

    prejudice. It affects people of every race, age, gender, religion and economic status.

    That’s why we are here today, we need to send this simple message to our nation’s

    leaders. Mental health matters and needs and must be taken seriously. It is time to act

    for mental health and pass Comprehensive Mental Health Bill this year.

    We’re here because our voices really do matter, our stories, really do matter. We have

    the power to make a difference. We know what it means to have our lives or the lives of

    people we love, get off track because of mental illness. We also know that mental

    illness can be treatable when we have the access to appropriate comprehensive care.

    As I learn more, I realize how much we all have in common. Even with access to so

    much, my journey has not been an easy one by any means. During my darkest times I

    didn’t know why I was alive and definitely didn’t like myself. I was withdrawn,

    disconnected and very angry. I would meditate myself, in an effort to feel normal, not

    better, just, normal. I didn’t understand why somebody like me with all the resources,

    and reasons in the world to be emotionally well, I couldn’t find happiness.

    When I finally got diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it was a relief, in so many ways. It

    helped me to start make sense. Through the process of being misdiagnosed and

    misunderstood, I learned how important it is to be open with your doctor, so that you

    can get to the root, of what’s going on, as soon as possible. The journey to living well

    with bipolar disorder is a process that for me requires comprehensive care.


    There wasn’t one day when the light, simply came on and I said I’m cured, I’m better.

    But we owe it to ourselves, to keep trying. The reality is, is that you’re not a car, who

    goes into the shop and gets fixed immediately. You need ongoing maintenance.

    It’s my mission to share this with the world and to let them know that there’s life on the

    other side, of those dark times, that seemed, so hopeless and helpless. I want to show

    the world that there is life ̶ surprising, wonderful and unexpected life after diagnosis.

    I’m proud to say that I’m living proof that someone can live, love and thrive with bipolar

    disorder, if, they get connected with professional resources and accept support, as soon

    as possible. That’s why I’m participating; I hope to do my part to make things a little

    easier for others and to reduce the shame, associated with mental illness.

    We’ve seen increased attention to our country’s broken Mental Health System over the

    past few years, but we’ve seen very little action. Today, it’s time for Congress to act for

    mental health by supporting the passage of Comprehensive Mental Health Bill this year.

    Comprehensive care means that as a nation we step up, our efforts to prevent suicide.

    Comprehensive care, means that if a man with mental illness gets diabetes or cancer

    his doctors work together to determine what’s, the best approach for his mind and body.

    At the heart of it, comprehensive care means that our mental health system reaches

    people early, and far more often so that fewer people fall through the cracks, and suffer

    alone. Together as mental health advocates we can make our voices heard, our shared

    message is simple. Support passage of a Comprehensive Mental Health Bill this year.

    So go out there and make today count. Together, we will make a difference, as we act

    for mental health.

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