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1. I read your article on “Me and My Mind” late last night and it gave me hope. I have a 17 year old granddaughter that suffers from mental illness and is cutting herself. It breaks my heart that so many people don’t recognize this disease and instead of offering support to those suffering from this they turn away from them. My granddaughter is a senior in high school and is on the school dance team and she had a breakdown not too long ago but is back in school but told me that she feels “left out” and that some of the girls that she thought were her friends are mean to her now. Her dance teacher has also mentioned to my daughter that maybe it’s best for my granddaughter not to be in dance class next semester. I worry bc although you see my granddaughter smiling especially during performances her eyes say something else. I know she feels unwanted but continues to do what is expected of get. She’s about to turn eighteen next month. My fear is that she’ll feel that she’s not loved or wanted and will leave home. She’s very naive and doesn’t understand that without the help she needs she can spiral downwards. I was able to relate to your statement about doctors just throwing medication and hoping that something stops bc that’s what’s happening with her. She’s on meds but nothing that I can see is making her better and her episodes are becoming more frequent. I would like to do something that will help her before it’s too late. What or how can I do to start a mental health awareness group before it’s too late. Please help me if you can by suggesting anything I can do in my part to help with this cause. She loves your music and I’m going to gave her watch your documentary in the hopes that she’ll realize there are others like her and that she’s not alone and that there’s hope. I am so glad I was watching “Nightline” last night so I could read about your experience. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time but I wanted to thank you for being honest about your illness. I hope you receive this. Thank you.

   • Hi rose! My name is rhi and I’m 18. I went through something very similar to your granddaughter, and I wanted you to know from a child’s perspective, your granddaughter will get better. I know you’re afraid of her leaving home as she will be 18 soon, but I left home when I was 17, and it was the best thing I could have done for myself. Getting out of a town I had been stuck in for years, meeting new people, changing my look, and having new things to do gave me a much better outlook on life, and I haven’t felt this okay in 7 years. If your granddaughter does decide to leave home, try and support her, but suggest she doesn’t go too far, maybe to a neighboring town, and that she keeps in contact so she doesn’t lose the support of her family. I hope this helps!!