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When it comes to mental health and addiction recovery, you'd think the system would be built on compassion, understanding, and the best practices for real help. But what we often get instead is something far from it—a skewed, cultish mentality rooted in 12-step programs and the outdated "tough love" approach. And trust me, once they slap that label on you as an "addict," you might as well be walking around with a giant target on your back. It’s like you’re no longer a person, just a problem to be managed or, worse, discarded. Let’s get one thing straight: being open...

There’s a pervasive stigma that suggests those with mental illness are responsible for most crimes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, many people in the world experience paranoia, mood swings, or hear voices, but these are not the hallmark traits of criminals. Most crimes are not committed by people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Take the example of someone who decides to rob a bank. That’s not paranoia or hearing voices at play. That’s cleverness, cunning, and intentional planning. If you’re mapping out how to get in, how to get away, and how to avoid being...

As I continue to create more art, I can’t help but reflect on the originals that have been lost or stolen over the years. These pieces hold stories of their own, and unfortunately, many are no longer with me. It’s one of the reasons I tend to sell prints nowadays. One of my most memorable losses was my 50 People with Mental Illness series. This entire collection vanished along with my car during a terrible breakup with Jenny Prince. It was a heart-wrenching time, and the art that documented so much of my journey disappeared right along with it. Another...

When I say I stand for mental health awareness, I’m making a clear distinction: I’m speaking for those of us who livewith mental illness, not for those who don’t. It’s kind of like saying "Black Lives Matter"—it’s about drawing attention to a group that has been marginalized, misunderstood, and mistreated. In my case, I started speaking out publicly after the brutal murder of Kelly Thomas, a man I once shared a room with in a mental hospital. Six policemen beat him to death at a bus stop, right in front of everyone. It was a tragic, public execution, and it...

One icon—or stereotype—I keep bumping into in the mental health system is the pretty young therapist. Not exactly striking, but cute. She’s well-groomed, works out, diets, and keeps herself polished. And in every session, she subtly teaches you to do the same. There’s something about her presence that draws you in, making the hard work seem… well, a little easier. I remember one session in particular. This beautiful therapist, on day one, casually asked me if I was interested in dating. I almost fell off my chair! It was like being on an awkward first date where you’re trying to...