Written by Liza Long
The whole day was surreal. I had just returned to my seat at the 2016 Domenici Institute Public Policy conference after a receiving a standing ovation for my speech on parenting a child with mental illness and overcoming stigma. Other conference speakers included former President Bill Clinton’s campaign manager James Carville, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, noted psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey, and mental health champion Patrick Kennedy. As I sat down, my phone buzzed, and a friend texted me, “You’re in Oprah Magazine!”
It’s been quite a journey for me, one that started when I responded to the tragic Newtown school shootings with a 750-word accidental manifesto for mental health reform entitled “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother.” (I’m not—she was his first victim). Three years after my first serious foray into public speaking at TEDxSanAntonio, my advocacy work on behalf of children who live with mental illness and their families is stronger than ever—and in many ways, I owe these opportunities to that unforgettable TEDx experience. Almost a year after that speech, in 2014, my book, The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness, was released from Hudson Street Press, a Penguin subsidiary. It won a “Books for a Better Life” award in 2015. But when organizations like the Domenici Institute contact me, it’s usually because they have seen my TEDx talk, which has had nearly 22,000 views to date.
Three years after my first serious foray into public speaking at TEDxSanAntonio, my advocacy work on behalf of children who live with mental illness and their families is stronger than ever—and in many ways, I owe these opportunities to that unforgettable TEDx experience. Almost a year after that speech, in 2014, my book, The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness, was released from Hudson Street Press, a Penguin subsidiary. It won a “Books for a Better Life” award in 2015. But when organizations like the Domenici Institute contact me, it’s usually because they have seen my TEDx talk, which has had nearly 22,000 views to date. Today, I’m on the board of the International Bipolar Foundation and was just elected board president of the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Boise chapter. I travel around the country speaking about the critical need for ending stigma and improving access to care for children and adults who live with severe mental illness. In March 2016, I gave another TED style talk at the National Council of Behavioral Health annual meeting. I have co-presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting. And I completed a doctoral dissertation on mental health advocates and leadership strengths in June 2016.
Today, I’m on the board of the International Bipolar Foundation and was just elected board president of the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Boise chapter. I travel around the country speaking about the critical need for ending stigma and improving access to care for children and adults who live with severe mental illness. In March 2016, I gave another TED style talk at the National Council of Behavioral Health annual meeting. I have co-presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting. And I completed a doctoral dissertation on mental health advocates and leadership strengths in June 2016.But the most important changes in my life have involved my son. In my 2013 talk, I referred to him by a pseudonym. His bipolar diagnosis was still new then, and we were both slightly skeptical. Now, more than three years later, we believe in the power of recovery. He has not had a single violent episode since his last hospitalization in May 2013 and is back in a mainstream school, planning for college. Best of all, he is learning the power of self-advocacy. In April 2016, my brave son Eric Walton shared his own experience of growing up with a severe mental illness in a TEDx Boise talk. He volunteers his time with Youth Moves and participates in a workgroup that is planning the future of children’s mental
But the most important changes in my life have involved my son. In my 2013 talk, I referred to him by a pseudonym. His bipolar diagnosis was still new then, and we were both slightly skeptical. Now, more than three years later, we believe in the power of recovery. He has not had a single violent episode since his last hospitalization in May 2013 and is back in a mainstream school, planning for college. Best of all, he is learning the power of self-advocacy. In April 2016, my brave son Eric Walton shared his own experience of growing up with a severe mental illness in a TEDxBoise talk. He volunteers his time with Youth Moves and participates in a workgroup that is planning the future of children’s mental healthcare in Idaho. Mental illness is a whole family illness—and my family has learned that advocacy is also a whole family activity. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had because of TEDxSanAntonio. I still remember the moment before I went onstage to speak my truth. “If I do 75% of my best speech, I’ll be happy,” I told myself. When I finished, I knew that I would no longer suffer in shame and silence. I was officially an advocate for children’s mental health.
Mental illness is a whole family illness—and my family has learned that advocacy is also a whole family activity. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had because of TEDxSanAntonio. I still remember the moment before I went onstage to speak my truth. “If I do 75% of my best speech, I’ll be happy,” I told myself. When I finished, I knew that I would no longer suffer in shame and silence. I was officially an advocate for children’s mental health.
For more from Liza Long
Website: lizalong.com/
Twitter: @anarchistmom
Facebook: facebook.com/LizaLongAuthor/
Watch Liza’s TEDxSanAntonio talk Time to talk – A Parent’s Perspective on Children’s Mental Illness from the 2013 Minds Wide Open event.
Join the TEDxSanAntonio community and previous speakers at this November’s Now You Know event. Buy your tickets online now. >>>>>> tedxsanantonio.com/2016-fall-speakers/