What would you do if your loved one came to you, asking for help with mental health or addiction? Would you turn them away? What would you say?

What would you do if someone came to you? Could you be brave and have a necessary and challenging conversation? .. or would you brush it off and walk away?

What would you do if they’re family or like family and you know their history? Do you know your boundaries? Do you know how to truly help?

Honestly, it’s an ever-learning process! In visiting with anyone that mental health and addiction hits close to home- you realize there is no easy answer! We must do what we can live with, while protecting ourselves, as well as, those that are struggling.. if possible!

Each day is a new day! To be a leader, you must set an example! Building relationships, being an advocate, a voice, etc. is a big responsibility!

How do we know if it’s our calling to help others? How do we know if we are helping? I would say checks and balances and hard conversations are necessary!

Who am I to say? I am a thirty-eight year old girl that addiction and mental health have been at the forefront my whole life.

What would you do if your hands felt tied and you were scared for your loved one to die? Could you be at peace knowing how you handled yourself? Could you be okay to press forward in the same manner you are?

It’s isn’t beyond any of us to seek help from  professionals! It is often necessary! Even professionals, who study the ins and outs of mental health and addiction are baffled by their findings.

Life is complex and we must come together as human beings and work for a better world! The stresses are greater for our youth and beyond!

I believe every act of kindness is a step in the right direction. Challenges with mental health and addiction don’t discriminate! It happens in every walk of life!

Is struggling with mental health and addiction any different than high blood pressure, diabetes or any other illness? It’s a real question! I believe it’s similar.. we all respond different to how we will handle our health and well-being!

Is calling out someone who’s wronged you going to make you feel better? Is announcing someone’s shortcomings going to make you feel like more of a person? I hope not. We must exude grace.

What would you do if that person was you? Would you know if you needed to get on a different path? Would you know if you needed help? Could you reach out and admit any hard truths?

My name is Amber, I am a successful person who has personally struggled with mental health and addiction! I was a teen parent, mom of four, I am a business owner with a free-spirit and a lot of zest for life! I am also twenty years married, have three beautiful sons and three girls, one of whom we adopted.. the older two girls are family to us too… forever playing a big role in our lives!  I am sitting in my car on break between working on my clients hair to write this blog entry, in hopes to help others in my network! I don’t believe that my mental health or addiction is any more or less relevant than anyone elses! I struggle with being highly sensitive and Overly Compulsive Personality Disorder- a disorder that I believe is derived from feeling lack of control at some point in life. I also am a year sober from alcohol! I am over three years clean, after eight years of being on prescribed diet medicine! I feel free! I have more clarity! I want you to know~ WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY!! I continuously work with a talk therapist to work through the challenges life puts in front of me. I am me! I love people. I am a voice for the underdog, the misfit, those that are different! 

No one said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it!

Stay Rosy, Amber

#HalfwayToAnywhereYouPutYourMindTo  #halfwaythere