Thank you StayinAlive!

I guess in my case it's one of those things that quite a lot of people know about because I've done things publicly that are hard not to notice (plus, there is the gossip), but only two or three have ever come forward to ask how I am and if they can do anything to help. And of those, one has followed through. So it's not that others don't know. I think it's that they just don't know what to do, and if they don't say something, I can't put them at ease about it.

My neighbor was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Every time I see her, I ask how her treatments are going. I gave a card and gift when she got the diagnosis. She's happy to talk about it. Other people freely talk about their illnesses and struggles. But it's just not okay to say, I've been diagnosed with BP and man, these meds are making me feel like I got shot with an elephant dart. I guess that's why I notice the deafening silence when it comes to mental health. Maybe some day it will change. People will be able to talk about it without fear of losing friends or being sidelined at work.