Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Why It Matters and How to Get Involved highlights the importance of awareness and ways to support mental well-being.

Read more: https://www.gracetallman.ca/blog/mental-health-awareness-week-2026-why-it-matters-and-how-to-get-involved

#MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #MentalWellness #SupportMatters #YouAreNotAlone #SelfCare

Today is World Bipolar Day, so I thought I would share my journey to a diagnosis and beyond.

I grew up with the shadow of an absent, manic father. His condition was only ever brought up when I acted out of line, used as a way to explain what was "wrong" with me. By the time I was about ten, I was seeing psychiatric professionals and being told I had a "chemical imbalance."

Into my teen years, I knew something wasn't right. I had a lot of rage for no apparent reason. But my step-father decided there was nothing wrong with me and took me off my medication. That led to a dark spiral. I was thrown out of the house, experienced homelessness, and dropped out of school before eventually getting my GED and going to college. For a long time, I was just lost, drifting through a brief marriage and divorce by the time I was 20.

Everything shifted when I met my partner in my late 20s. Even when I was deeply upset and far from kind, she met me with patience and acceptance. She helped me advocate for myself, which led to a real diagnosis: Bipolar 1, characterized by extreme highs of mania and extreme lows. This period in my life I associate with learning empathy and kindness.

Having a name for what I was experiencing changed my life. For a long time, I carried a heavy shame about my diagnosis. It has taken me a decade to finally let that go. The diagnosis explained why I would obsess about some things and then drop them to move on to another subject. Because of my condition, I know a lot about a lot of things because at some point my attention latched on and would not let go of the subject for a while. For instance, I went to college for North American Indian History, but I can tell you a lot about Linux, computers, phones, and numerous other little things.

Since before Covid, I have been on numerous medications. Sometimes I would have to change because a medication was working ok, but I wasn't allowed to go past a limit. Other times, medications would give me terrible side effects, like psychosis.

I have been on my current medication, Seroquel, for about a year now, and it seems to be working well. I know that could change at any time, though, and this dance with different medications will probably go on for the rest of my life.

Typically, the thing that interrupts my mental health is a change to my insurance. It is hard enough for bipolar people to take medication regularly, but when you add interruptions to pharmacy and mental health benefits, it can make it extremely hard to get back into a habit after being knocked out of it. Some of my lowest moments have been when I have lost my healthcare because of an inability to keep a job (due to the illness) and not being able to afford refills or doctor visits.

I tell you all of this hoping that you understand that people aren't just "crazy" and bipolar is not an adjective. Good people are born with and develop these conditions in our brains. No one really completely understands it. The best thing you can ever do for another person is to show them kindness and love. And to anyone out there who is still lost in the dark or struggling with a new diagnosis: your life isn't over. It takes work, and it can be exhausting, but it is absolutely possible to build a beautiful, meaningful life.

#WorldBipolarDay #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #Bipolar1 #MentalHealth #ActuallyBipolar #MentalIllness #MentalHealthMatters

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 – 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Today we honor the strength and resilience of those living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes intense mood swings—manic highs and depressive lows—that impact millions worldwide. But with the right treatment and support, stability and fulfilling lives are possible.

This day also commemorates the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, who faced these challenges and left a lasting legacy. Let's break the stigma, raise awareness, and support each other on this journey.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲:
- Educate yourself about symptoms and treatments
- Wear a black-and-white ribbon to show solidarity
- Share stories to spread understanding
- Attend local awareness events or webinars
- Listen with compassion to those affected

Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized and bipolar disorder is understood.

#WorldBipolarDay #BipolarStrong #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakTheStigma #SupportAndCare #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone #EndTheStigma #MentalWellness #BipolarCommunity #VincentVanGogh

Today is Epilepsy Awareness Day, also called Purple Day. Epilepsy affects nearly 50 million people worldwide. It causes seizures and other symptoms due to problems in the brain. Causes include brain injury, genetics, infections, and sometimes no clear cause is found.

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age and is not contagious. It is treatable, but some people still face stigma and have trouble finding treatment.

Wear purple today to support people with epilepsy and help raise awareness. Let’s work together to remove the stigma and support those living with epilepsy.

#EpilepsyAwarenessDay #PurpleDay #EpilepsySupport #SeizureAwareness #BrainHealth #EndTheStigma #EpilepsyTreatment #NeurologicalHealth #SupportEpilepsy #SCABPharmacy

Mental health awareness matters—it breaks stigma, encourages support, and promotes early care for better well-being.

Learn more: https://www.gracetallman.ca/blog/why-is-mental-health-awareness-important-benefits-impact

#MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #Wellbeing #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #SupportEachOther

Taking your meds is a healthy self-care strategy.
It’s the Miracle-Gro that gives your brain the nutrients it needs to bloom.
Don't forget to fill your pillbox this weekend! 🌻💊
#BipolarMedication #MentalHealthHacks #EndTheStigma

Read more: https://speakingbipolar.com/bipolar-disorder-and-what-it-means-to-eat-the-frog/

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄

Teen mental health is at a critical point. Anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts are rising, fueled by social media pressure, academic stress, climate anxiety, bullying, and more. Many teens suffer in silence, and parents often struggle to know how to help.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽:
- Create safe, non-judgmental spaces for open conversations
- Listen and validate emotions without rushing to fix things
- Ask open-ended questions like “How’s school been lately?”
- Encourage healthy sleep habits, balanced nutrition, and physical activity
- Set mindful boundaries around social media and screen time

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵:
- Practice self-care: mindfulness, journaling, gratitude, positive affirmations
- Lean on trusted friends and adults for support
- Take breaks from social media or use it mindfully
- Seek professional help when needed—therapy offers coping tools and emotional regulation strategies

Mental wellness isn’t a one-day focus. It’s an ongoing commitment to understanding and supporting teens as they navigate a complex world.

#WorldTeenMentalWellnessDay #TeenMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportTeens #ParentingTips #SelfCareForTeens #EndTheStigma #MindfulSocialMedia #TherapyIsHelp #MentalWellnessMatters #SCABPharmacy