Mitzi
Mitzi
Being an open book can help you move forward
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, we didn’t talk about depression and anxiety. We had no awareness around it. We had no language for it.
But we’ve come a long way.
As a writer, life coach, and public speaker, Mitzi seeks to raise awareness about mental health. Drawing on her personal mental health experiences, she helps individuals strengthen their relationships and find ways to cope with emotional turmoil and depression.
As a life coach, I deal primarily with people with relationship issues. I also write two blogs around relationships and mental health, and I have told my story through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and other organizations.
I’ve found that when I share my own story, I’ve been able to help a lot of people manage their depression, making their relationships stronger and increasing their self-esteem.
Mitzi’s background makes her well qualified to help individuals with their mental and emotional health. For most of her life, she lived with feelings of “hopelessness and dread.” She managed her depression with alcohol and sex.
When she was in her early 40s, she traveled overseas and fell into a terrible bout of depression. Soon after her return, Mitzi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 2.
At that point, she learned of a family history of mental health disorders. Her grandfather and great grandfather both had bipolar disorder. Her grandfather spent some 40 years in a psychiatric hospital.
When I was growing up, we didn’t talk about these things.
I remember going to a counselor when I was in boarding school, and we talked about my drinking and that my grades were down, but we didn’t have any words to talk about my emotions.
Today, I’m an open book when it comes to my bipolar disorder. I talk to everybody about it.
“I think some people, especially people in my generation, are still kind of shut down when it comes to discussing mental health.”
Being an open book about her mental health issues has helped Mitzi move forward with her life. A crucial part of that progress is her life coaching business. For Mitzi, the work allows her to improve the lives of others while helping herself.
I built this business by myself, and now I’m five years in. My work helps other people, but building the business on my own has been incredibly good for me as well.
It’s helped me with self-awareness and in managing my mental health.
In addition to running her business, Mitzi is actively involved in the volunteer community. Through NAMI, she has gone through In Our Own Voice training, and she gives talks to a wide range of audiences.
We go out to schools, to police departments, to medical schools, to doctor associations, to inpatient units, and we tell our story of living with mental health challenges.
We educate people about mental health, help reduce stigma, and provide support for people living with mental health conditions and their families.
Speaking out, telling her story, and supporting others are part of Mitzi’s everyday life. She’s proud of the progress she has made personally and professionally since coming to terms with her condition.
Through her efforts, she works to make people more aware and open about mental health.
I think some people, especially people in my generation, are still kind of shut down when it comes to discussing mental health.
But I also think that discussion about mental health has come a long way. I really think that people’s eyes are being opened.
