"Your journey, Danei, has been nothing short of miraculous."
Category: Mental Health Warrior
Remembrance
By Danei Edelen Charles wasn’t the first person to speak up when entering a room, but often times he was the last to leave, ensuring everyone had a listening ear. One of the things I love about being a NAMI presenter, is that you get to hear the other presenters’ stories. When Charles and I … Continue reading Remembrance
Celebrating Life
By Danei Edelen Nothing says spring like the feeling of fresh air blowing through our house on a warm spring day like the afternoon after the Georgetown Community Day at Georgetown Elementary. After two years of isolation, I think everyone was looking for an excuse to get out of the house and be around people … Continue reading Celebrating Life
Finding your tribe
Like everyone, Russia's invasion of the Ukraine horrified me. Heartbreaking pictures of families fleeing for their lives, shattered my perception of our fragile façade of civility. Suddenly, I felt shells going off inside my weary soul. “Not again,” my heart cried. As the tanks roll across the landscape of the Ukraine, our fragile emotional worlds … Continue reading Finding your tribe
Why stigma is lethal
The first-time suicide impacted me directly was when a friend of mine took his life. As a kid, he always cracked jokes and pulled pranks, and I got to watch him grow into a wonderful, dedicated man. I can still remember standing at work, wearing my green suit, when I heard the news. I was … Continue reading Why stigma is lethal
Why did he have to ask a stranger?
Losing the battle with my morning headache I awoke late one morning to see this email from a complete stranger, “My 26 year old daughter Mary* is back in the hospital… As a parent I feel so helpless. Thank-you for helping to bring it out of the shadows. My daughter would rather die than to … Continue reading Why did he have to ask a stranger?
Letter to My Colleagues
I still remember driving to work for my first day at the first job after my psychotic break. I was so scared. The night before I had laid out all my clothes and taken my shower to be as ready as possible. I got up extra early to have time to "just be ready". My … Continue reading Letter to My Colleagues
Accepting our new reality
Due to COVID, we are on the verge of a mental health epidemic. According to Hartford Health, “Experts call it the underlying crisis. While COVID-19 cases spike around the country, more than a third of Americans report related depression and anxiety”. Every 12 minutes someone dies by suicide according to the CDC. According to the … Continue reading Accepting our new reality
Finding Your Tribe
Like everyone, Russia's invasion of the Ukraine horrified me. Heartbreaking pictures of families fleeing for their lives, shattered my perception of our fragile façade of civility. Suddenly, I felt shells going off inside my weary soul. “Not again,” my heart cried. As the tanks roll across the landscape of the Ukraine, our fragile emotional worlds … Continue reading Finding Your Tribe
Why self-care is not selfish
Do you have COVID fatigue? You matter. Please know that you are not alone. We are all currently grappling with our mental health.
Mental Health Warrior 