​Mental Health Flash Cards (Guest Post)

Article by Joseph Fusaro
Edit by Maureene Danielle

---

Mental Health Flash Cards are a tool designed to distract us from all of our distractions. 

They are supposed to help us refocus on the important things and truths in our lives. 

Mental illness took a lot more than my happiness and physical health in my teens and 20’s.  It took away my confidence, hope, faith, and trust in myself and others.  I went into isolation, away from friends, family, and society for over 5 years because I felt like no one understood me, nor would they ever.  I felt like people were always giving me advice such as “go for a walk, read a book, volunteer,” which is great, but they did not realize that I did not even have the tools to do this.

 I could not walk, not because my legs would not move, but I did not even have the thought or confidence in myself that I could actually accomplish a short walk. It was like I had a mental paralysis and I could not connect the dots from me staring at a wall in my room to actually achieving a walk. 
There are a ton of things that have to happen in between these 2 events.  For example, getting my breakfast; I would have to put on clothes (preferably one’s that I would be comfortable walking in), I would need to have the confidence to show my face in public, I would have to know how to communicate (or at least understand simple things like traffic and pedestrian laws, directions, balance, strength, resilience, etc.) 

Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier if the person that came in to tell me “go for a walk,” also added, “Hey Joe, I know it is hard, but I have faith in you. You used to walk just fine a few years back.  I can walk with you.  We can get in at least a mile today, and I promise we will work on it until you are comfortable walking again.  You are strong. You can do this. I will be there if you start to feel dizzy or anxious.  I will never judge you.”  By looking at these cards we can start to rebuild all of the things that are broken that others, including doctors cannot see.

Mental Health Flash Cards are your coach when you cannot afford a coach.  Mental Health Flash Cards are your friend, when you cannot find a friend.  Mental Health Flash Cards are designed to bring your focus back to you, because in the end you need to be happy with you before you can start accomplishing tasks for others again.  I hope this tool helps you and I look forward to making more and sharing them with you. 

Thank you and remember, I have faith in you.

​Joe

---

---

Joseph S. Fusaro credits writing with helping him dig his way out of a serious bout with bipolar 1 (manic depression) in his late teens and 20's. Joe was a cast member in the 'This Is My Brave' New York City show this past October and looks forward to using his experience with mental illness to help others realize there is hope for a positive and productive future. In addition to music and poetry Joe has blogged for the mental health organizations NAMI, Conquer Worry, and This Is My Brave. Joe published his first book, a chap book featuring poetry and lyrics he's written, called A Little More Time and it's available for purchase on Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds from the book are donated to This Is My Brave.

Connect With Joe:

Twitter: @jsfusaro
Instagram: @jsfusaro
Website: www.hellopoetry.com/jsfusaro

---