I’ve been meaning to share this post from April 7, 2017, which I shared on Facebook with the community of friends and family I had there at that time. This was a deeply personal post that I’d only shared with those who I felt most comfortable with.
At the end of this mental health awareness month, I thought I’d share that post more openly here. It was this article written by Colleen Flaherty for Inside Higher Ed that inspired me to share the following story.
“I don’t often share personal stories here on Facebook. But this week was particularly difficult and challenging for me. As someone who has struggled with severe anxiety and depression my whole life, I am just now coming to terms with my mental illness as a disability. I am extremely grateful to my family, friends, and colleagues who have been there this week to support me during a very rough stretch. And it helps me tremendously to know that I am not alone, as a faculty member on the tenure track in a job that I deeply love, in working to accept and come to terms with who I am. This is perhaps my first attempt to go ‘public’ with my announcement that I have a mental illness and I know it’s okay. I am also grateful to know that other brave faculty members have shared their own personal stories and struggles with mental illness. I feel proud to be part of this strong community of powerful and brave people.”
