Marc’s Story

I am the brother of a man who battled the symptoms of a major mental illness, identified as Schizophrenia, for 27 years prior to his passing of a brain tumor at the age of 40, about 12 years ago.  My mother's sister also endured the symptoms of a major mental illness, named at that time as Manic Depression, but now more commonly referred to as Bipolar Disorder.  I went to San Diego State University to study Social Work in a graduate program with a Clinical Mental Health focus. I am presently, and have worked for almost 21 years as a Psychiatric Licensed Clinical Social Worker at a state hospital, with a Forensic focus.  These illnesses are very intense for the person experiencing the  symptoms and their families/loved ones who are left feeling helpless and often blamed.  There is great hope today!  Much improved medications, better approach and empathic understanding by trained clinical staff, and an emphasis on transparency and collaboration. People are getting better, thinking better, and best of all feeling better day by day. One needs serious support, a belief in stability, an agreement to not self-medicate, and most of all, strategies/coping skills to manage their illnesses when they are hopefully identified emerging at the earliest point possible!!  God bless all who are trying to make it work every day-keep your spirit and sense of hope alive!!