In the waning moments of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) and shortly before his highly anticipated acceptance speech, Joe Biden made the decision to give precious airtime to 13-year-old Brayden Harrington of New Hampshire. What did the kid do with the attention of millions of Americans focused on him? He looked them in the Read More …
Author: Etan Neiman
It deeply hurts. Time and time after time again, politicians, newscasters and everyday people associate violence with mental illness. This is both degrading and harmful. It perpetuates the stigmatic myth that those with mental illnesses are to be feared. For those like me, who have moved to manage mental illness to the point where it Read More …
Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Chester Bennington, and Robin Williams. Sharon Markovitz, Batsheva Stadlan, Chazz Petrella and recently Channing Smith. All of these wonderful people – the last three of which just teenagers – have sadly been lost to suicide. Those survived by them all made a decision that can almost be described as puzzling. They Read More …
What is your time worth to you? I ask because it is my unfortunate position to be the one to inform many of you that you are getting about ten cents on the dollar for your time. I am speaking to those of you who in looking to be a difference maker got involved with Read More …
It surpasses ironic. The Connor Project: A fictitious movement based on a fictitious story conceived by the minds behind the fictitious Broadway play Dear Evan Hansen. For many, however, this project enabled the most real feelings they have experienced in a long time. Children, teens, and adults alike – who have felt overlooked for Read More …
People often ask me why. Why do I put myself out there, on the frontlines of mental health advocacy, disregarding the inaccurate perceptions some will form about me? Some cut more to the point: “Etan, you cannot mention your past battling mental illness on social media and the Web because of potential employers or shidduchs Read More …
On June 5th, we lost the iconic 55-year-old fashion designer Kate Spade to suicide. She left her husband and 13-year-old daughter behind. Spade was known for her bright and cheerful designs, was successful and seemingly in the prime of her life. On June 8th, we lost super-chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain to suicide. Read More …
Don’t wanna hear about it anymore? Speak up. Fight the stigma with me.
Let’s talk about mental health. For those who know someone who has at some point had tough battles, reach out to them. Ask how everything is.