The Impact of Mental Illness

By Nikyra McCann, NAMI Dane County Board Member

Growing up I would have never imagined that I would be impacted by a mental illness.

For the most part, there wasn’t many people in my family who have battled a mental illness. I was diagnosed at the age 20. At the time my mother was in school for psychology. My mother has played a major part in my recovery.  At first, others looked at me as though I was the girl with this “issue” that no one wanted to deal with.

It has taken me years to get better and on a stable path. To this day I am gaining more & more stability. 

Having an African-American background, I would say, has made me stronger when enduring this battle. As African Americans, we have come from so much, that we stay strong and get through what is up against us. Family support was a big key to my stability. I have a family that stands by me and supports me. Having this has always made my battle with a mental illness “light” so to say, because they love me no matter what.

I have come a long way. I have come from 18 hours in isolation, as well as losing everything I had. Today I am independent and growing each today to have a positive impact on myself and as well as others!