By Emalee Gillis, NAMI Spokane Blog Editor.
NAMI Spokane held the first session of a new Spokane Community Education Program that stresses what works for recovery. The program is called Living Well with Mental Health. At the first presentation held at Frontier Behavioral Health, two people shared their recovery stories interspersed with a video highlighting other stories. This article focuses on some of the stories shared. To host this free one-hour program at your location, contact Ashley Olivarez.
On February 26, clients of Frontier Behavioral Health gathered to hear the first Living Well with Mental Health presentation in Spokane. The program opened with some basic information about NAMI Spokane. Amanda Kaplan, former Program Coordinator of NAMI Spokane, shared that NAMI Spokane is dedicated to empowering all those affected with mental health conditions and their loved ones to live their most fulfilling lives. NAMI Spokane offers an eight week educational course for people with mental health conditions and a separate course for their families. NAMI Spokane also offers both in-person and online support groups for people with mental health conditions as well as for their loved ones. You can find out more at NAMI Spokane.
Kristin Bonser opened her presentation by sharing some background information. She has worked as an elementary teacher in Spokane for eight years. She is a mother to two young daughters.
“I am personally affected by mental health challenges and have a big passion for being part of the change around mental health awareness,” she said.
Kristin’s mental health challenges started when she faced depression as a young teen. In 2021, when she was 22, she had her first manic episode which resulted in a 30 day stay at a psychiatric hospital. When she was released, she was diagnosed with Type 1 bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Then, Raleigh Zimmerman, another volunteer with NAMI Spokane who lives with a mental health condition, spoke. He shared that he is a licensed pharmacist and a huge Cougar fan. He mentioned that it took him three tries to finish pharmacy school because of his mental health challenges, but he was eventually successful and was able to attain work as a pharmacist. Raleigh’s diagnosis is Bipolar I.
“I had my first psychotic break at 21. I thought I could communicate with dead loved ones,” he said.
Raleigh went through cycles where he would take his medications and do well, followed by times where he would stop taking his medications and start having symptoms again which would lead to mania, delusions, and psychosis, followed by depression. When he was off his medications he would become argumentative, experience road rage, had thoughts to harm himself or others, and frequently put himself in imminent danger. He burned through his money.
“I could have died multiple times,” Raleigh said.
Then, Amanda played the video where people from a wide variety of careers who live with a mental health condition shared snippets of their stories. One person shared how his mental health condition led to time in prison. Another person shared that the day he realized he had a mental health condition was the best day of his life because it led to his recovery.
In the next part of the presentation, both speakers focused on what helps.
“My medications are a vital part of my recovery,” Kristin said.
Kristin has struggled with staying on her medications. At the bottom of her cycle, she hated herself and cried constantly. One thing that helped was the suggestion by a therapist to record herself at a low point. She still looks at that video to remind herself why staying on medications is so important.
Therapy also helps. She has therapy one or two times a week and attends monthly group therapy through NAMI support groups. She is also on a 12 step program of recovery to address her struggles with drinking.
Moving her body also helps. She regularly works out at the gym.
Another key part of her recovery program is a list of five people who she trusts that she can call anytime.
“These people were my safe place. I couldn’t have gotten through my health challenges without them. Often, they are aware that I am having mental health challenges before I do.”
Writing poetry and journaling have also been part of Kristin’s healing process.
To begin the next portion of his presentation, Raleigh said, “What helps? Deciding you want help.”
Raleigh recognized that dealing with the side effects of medication has been difficult. Symptoms include dry mouth and weight gain. He has tried almost all medications available for his condition.
“One change I had to make was learning not to drink and party,” he said.
Another thing that helps Raleigh is a good diet. Regular therapy is also important to him. Raleigh is very aware of his triggers. If he is being triggered, he knows in advance what he can do to respond. Raleigh has a care plan in place. Good sleep is critical to him. Something as simple as taking a shower every morning can help with his depression. He also uses an app called emoods to record his moods and sleep.
For more ideas on how to manage his illness, Raleigh has read exhaustively about mental health. One of his favorite books is Kay Jamison’s “Unquiet Mind.” He reads books both for the layman and for health professionals. He listens to podcasts regularly about mental health.
“I celebrate small victories,” Raleigh said.
Then, Amanda played a video with others sharing what helps. One person shared what makes them happy to live in their own skin. Another person shared that if he can impact one person’s life by telling his own story that would be a good thing.
Kristin and Raleigh then shared what they are looking forward to in the future and Amanda played a final video.
After the presentation, Tonya Stern at Frontier Behavioral Health said she would like to continue to collaborate with NAMI Spokane to host more Living with Mental Health presentations for their clients.
If you are interested in hosting this free one-hour program at your location or any other mental health educational course from NAMI Spokane, contact Ashley Olivarez.