Wow. What a thoughtful, articulate young man. My husband hates when I say this, but things happen for a reason even if we can’t figure out what it is. His (and yours) may be to help others. The eye doesn’t see what the mind doesn’t know. Thank you both for your work in helping us all know and for your advocacy.
It is so helpful to hear the experience from the perspective of the person. Thank you.
Thanks to you and your son for sharing this. All my best to all of you as you continue the journey.
ML - Thanks for sharing your son’s story with us. It wasn’t until I came to CC that I learned many young adults have mental illness. I think most families keep quiet abut it or just ignore it. It is from awareness that we can find better treatments for our kids.
This is a very inspirational story. I am sure the journey was not easy for all you, but for a lot of families it is nice to know there could light at the end of tunnel. Your children are very lucky to have you as their parents. I wouldn’t be surprised your kids got their strength from you.
Thank you for all of your kind words. I will pass them on to my son. I just noticed that CC is featuring this thread. Wow, that is cool.
This thread should be featured as your S has a very important story to tell and he writes beautifully.
Beautiful writing. What a thoughtful young man, much more self-aware than most people, his age or any age. Thank you, and him, for sharing.
What a brave and powerful personal statement. Best wishes for his continued stability and improvement.
@MaineLonghorn I’m sure you and your whole family is proud of your S and I imagine that he would not be where he is without the benefit of a loving and supportive family.
A warrior indeed. Please thank him for sharing his story with us.
@happy1, one reason I want to get more involved with NAMI is that I have often thought that my son would be on the streets right now if he didn’t have us to advocate for him. Just getting him on Social Security was a huge task. There was no way he could have figured that out. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as case managers until I heard a mother speak about them at a NAMI conference! I could go on and on. 
Things really do need to change.
@MaineLonghorn You are entirely right when you say things need to change . My niece who has severe Bipolar Disorder with frequent exacerbation has yet to be approved for SS after multiple attempts over 15 years despite also having lymphoma twice. It is truly hard to see these young people try and navigate a broken system .
@MaineLonghorn, thank you so much for sharing this! Last week, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, a 17-year-old senior in our school district shot and killed himself. It is heartbreaking to know that young people are suffering to that extent. It sounds like the key for your son was his support network, including you and his doctors, and his ability to recognize the problem and seek help. So glad that he is doing better! Good luck with his continued recovery.
And kudos to the grandparents for listening and acting. Best wishes to you all.
@mjrube94, I know, it is heartbreaking. Four weeks to the day after my 20-year-old nephew ended his life a year and a half ago, a boy in my daughter’s class (HS senior) ended his. A small private school in our town lost TWO students to suicide last year. It’s unrelenting.
That is why DS said that repeating, “I appreciate life, and it is absolutely worthwhile to me," on a daily basis is critical for him.
Thank you for sharing your son’s words, MaineLonghorn. His words are very powerful and will help so many. And thank you for your candor and generosity in sharing your journey.
Thank you so much for sharing your son’s words and his journey.
Profound, thanks for sharing.
I should have added that if you know of anyone with a newly diagnosed child who feels overwhelmed, I would be glad to speak to him or her. Sometimes it really helps to talk to somebody who knows what it feels like.
Wow! @MaineLonghorn! Wow is all I can say. As a nurse who works with the mentally ill his insight into his illness and his ability to share it with others is amazing and much apppreciated. Thanks to you and him for sharing his story with us.
@MaineLonghorn, thank you and your son for sharing his story, and for the shout-out to NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), an fantastic national organization with many free, helpful programs for family members and people suffering from mental health issues.