Being Real About Mental Illness

This morning I found an article on the NAMI Facebook page about the singer-songwriter Mary Lambert. She has been public about her struggles with bipolar disorder, and self-acceptance after sexual abuse. The article is titled "Mary Lambert: Spreading the Love."

I had heard her song "Secrets" and it touched me, but I had no idea her music was as beautiful as I have discovered this morning. After I read the article I went on YouTube to Mary Lambert's VEVO channel and watched a few of her music videos.

This is her more famous song, "Secrets."

In the article it mentions "Body Love." I looked this up as well, and it is one of the most powerful statements of what it's like that I have ever seen, especially by a celebrity.

This woman is incredible. I am in awe and disbelief. As someone who struggles with the things she describes, I always feel somewhat alone. It always feels like no one could know what it's like to go through this. I always feel separate, apart from the larger part of society, shunned, not wanted.

For someone so famous to open up so completely makes me understand more and more that I am not alone, and that many people have been through and felt the things I do.