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I wanted to take a moment to share more about my mental illness, so you can better understand what I’ve gone through and continue to experience. My first and most significant psychotic break happened when I was about 21 years old. It was as if the world around me had shifted, and I started believing that the radio and television were talking about me in a roundabout, inferencing way. This experience left a lasting impact on me, and to this day, I still struggle with understanding inferences and innuendos. Discerning reality from illusion has been a challenge for me. One...

Dan Joyce’s Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Liberty Belle is a thought-provoking and heartfelt musical that delves into the life of Belle O’Brien, a young woman navigating the challenges of schizophrenia. Through a creative blend of vivid hallucinations, poignant musical numbers, and raw emotions, Joyce brings Belle’s internal world to life in a way that both educates and entertains. The play’s title character, Belle, is not only fighting her illness but also the stigma and isolation that often accompany mental health struggles. As we journey with her, we meet Karen Hope, her caseworker, whose interactions with Belle bring a grounded and...

Quitting smoking can feel like an uphill battle, but I’ve found that focusing on just today makes it a lot easier. Instead of stressing about the long-term or worrying about slip-ups down the road, I’m trying to stay in the present. Today is the only day that matters, and that mindset keeps me grounded. Where I am now, smoking is prohibited, which definitely helps. But it also means I have no idea where I’ll end up next or what challenges I’ll face in other environments. That unknown can be stressful. And honestly, a lot of the mental health system is...

had the potential for a profitable business, and my family ruined it. They ruined me, and they ruined my business. Why? Honestly, I don’t know. Like Joseph’s brothers in the Bible sold him into slavery, it’s just one of those age-old sibling situations where jealousy, bitterness, or something deeper takes hold. It’s painful to admit, but sometimes family, the very people you expect to support you, can be the most toxic force in your life. That’s my reality. But now, I’m trying to build it back. After cutting all ties, I feel lighter. No more expectations from them or emotional...

We all know that there are legitimate victims—survivors of rape, child abuse, molestation, domestic violence, and other forms of trauma. These are serious issues, and people who endure them deserve our support and empathy. But recently, I’ve come to realize that playing the victim is different. It’s a subtle, yet significant behavior that can lead to poor results—often attracting more bullying rather than diffusing it. No one wants to be bullied. The obvious solution we hear time and again is simple: walk away. Yet, what happens when we don’t? When we call too much attention to our suffering in an...