Nami Wood River Valley

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the help I got from NAMI. Before I got involved with NAMI, I had feelings of solitude and a persistent dislike for the world I was put in. I never thought about my future, I lived in the moment. Being part of a Hispanic household, there is a barrier between our culture and mental health. ‘If you don’t think about it, it’ll go away.’ That’s what I would get if I mentioned there was a feeling of loneliness, sadness and unspeakable voices in my head. Growing up in that environment I grew up with the mindset of shutting things out. If help was offered I wouldn’t take it. Why would I try to open up again just to be shut out? That’s how I would think of it. I didn’t have a safe place available to me if I wanted to say something. Home wasn’t an option, my old school wasn’t an option either. There were many days of me arriving late every day to avoid the crowded hallways, I would fake a sickness just so I had an excuse not to go. I continued to try and isolate myself from everyone and everything. These feelings started when I was in 5th grade. The longer I kept it in, the worse this feeling grew. I went to self-harm as a way of coping and had thoughts of suicide. I just wanted to relieve myself. I drowned myself in school work and internships just to be away from home and as a distraction. I needed something else to think about, I didn’t want to stay stuck in my head. One day the Bloom Youth Project had a workshop. It was about mental health, I was uncomfortable with the subject already but went through it. That’s where I met Brittany Shipley. I never have felt a connection with someone before. I felt moved and inspired that I had to find a way to talk to her again. After the workshop I waited till I could talk to her in the hallway, I asked for a hug and the sense of security and love was so strong. When I got into High School I got involved in Blue Birds and grew close with Brittany. Blue Birds is a club during lunch at Wood River. I was surrounded by others that had similar experiences and feelings. Blue birds is my safe place. I was able to make connections with other people and make some friends. I wish I knew about it when I was younger and needed a place to be. I now think about my future, I want to major in psychology and take what I have learned and my experiences to help others. I want others to know they’re not alone and there are resources to help them like NAMI.” -Bluebird Program Participant