Let me tell you a little about me…I have been a psychiatric mental health nurse for almost 20 years. During that time I have disclosed my own struggles with anxiety with my co-workers, friends, and students. I teach the mental health nursing course to first-semester nursing students at the university where I work.

Basically, during my career as a nurse educator, I have learned that talking about mental health is just as important as being available to listen to someone else’s journey because we all need to feel comfortable with who we are, where we are going, and how we can help others in need.

I love writing and have been thinking about starting my own blog for the past year. My goal for this blog is to share my knowledge, experiences, and thoughts about mental health with my readers. Since COVID hit I have personally seen a big increase in anxiety and depression in people around me, both professionally and personally, and that has spurred my interest in writing. Knowledge brings power. Lack of knowledge brings fear. That fear leads to many misunderstandings about diagnosis, treatment, and living life to the fullest.

I hope that my readers will be encouraged to post comments, ask for me to discuss certain topics, and share what they learn with others. In this way, we can work together to decrease the stigma that continues to overshadow mental illness. We can make people feel comfortable asking questions and sharing how they feel.