I am feeling in a stellar mood today after many weeks of mood lability. Part of what gave me joy are some very pleasant interactions and inspirations that made me think about my heroes and heroines. I have many, and will list some below, with as brief of descriptions as possible of who they are and what they do/did. Again, it's not a complete list. I would also very much like to read about your heroes and heroines.

- Hubby - For everything. He's the absolute most wonderful person in the world to me.

- David from my local DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) group. David has been the primary leader for the group for many years and even cared so much for DBSA that he became the head of DBSA New Jersey. His leadership created a very strong group, managed the move to another facility, organized numerous interesting guest speakers, and DBSA symposiums at our location, and various social events. He has been a good friend to many, including me, and has introduced us to many wonderful opportunities (NAMI Walk teams that he organized and once inspired me to organize for the event, interesting talks/lectures in New York City and through NAMI, and more). He has done all of this for free as a volunteer.

- Patrick Kennedy, former congressman for Rhode Island and son of former Senator Ted Kennedy - In addition to sharing his story openly to the public via TV interviews, magazines, and public forums, he worked very hard as a former congressman to help pass monumental legislation that benefited the mentally ill.

- Kay Redfield Jamison, M.A., Ph.D - Most of us probably know Dr. Jamison because of her many books on topics related to Bipolar Disorder, and her memoir. She is also a very significant researcher/writer and professor in the field of psychiatry, specializing in bipolar disorder. She herself had the courage to share her story, which has been invaluable to people with bipolar disorder, family members, the general public, and students and other people in academia. She regularly speaks at universities and other venues, and has often appeared on television.

- Bryan Stevenson - Mr. Stevenson, a lawyer, and his organization the Equal Justice Initiative is famous for his outstanding work challenging bias against the poor, mentally ill, and people of color. He has won relief for numerous falsely condemned prisoners, won leniency for children excessively penalized as adults, and other excessively or falsely penalized people in prisons. He is a true humanitarian and Christian in the purist sense who encourages mercy, not hatred.

Many thanks to everyone who works hard providing mental health treatment, support and/or advocacy in all forms! That includes people here at Psych Central!