In no particular order, the first key to my success with mental health, was getting over my old self that thought I was the “baddest kid on the block,” and forging some close bonds.

After I realized I was no better than anyone else, and knowing that this belief had interestingly enough, had a hand in protecting me from a few “breaks,” things began to get better.

Also, many years later, I found someone to spend my life with.

The second key to my success with mental health was taking my meds. All of them (and as prescribed).

Each component I am writing about here has been so very important for my success with mental health, and this one is no exception.

The third key to my success with mental health was my establishing a belief in a higher power.

For me, this is Jesus and Christianity.

I don’t talk much about religion on this blog. I am just pointing out what has been helpful to me. Your mileage may vary.

I also want to note, that it took me almost two decades to fully gravitate back to any religion. Let alone the religion I was raised with.

With schizophrenia and psychosis in general, there are ample religious delusions/hallucinations during “breaks” and more acutely ill times.

(More on this in a future post.)

Note: None of the above three phenomena easily came to fruition.

They all followed a pattern of resistance. Resistance by me.

Resistance can be useful, but for me, I wanted to change!

And, while I still struggle every day, I am able to now “speak” about that struggle, hopefully helping others along the way, in their own personal journeys.