I miss you lil' brother
For Shawnel is the personal (and professional?) blog of Maxam. The blog’s name is in memory of my brother who was tragically murdered in the summer of 2006. Nine months later I was hospitalized and was subsequently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I want to use this blog as a forum to discuss the truth about mental illness and discredit the misconceptions surrounding this deadly disease.
Also as a person of Jamaican descent I believe there is a lack of discussion about mental illness in the Caribbean and Black community. Lastly, as shocking as this may seem men have feelings too especially Black men. I want to share my emotional and mental struggles here. Hopefully this will end the wall of silence and destroy the stereotype of the Angry Black Man.
This blog is not for me but for anyone who has been depressed, experienced death or tragedy, is affected by mood disorders and mental illness directly or indirectly, had emotional breakdowns or just been stressed the hell out AND made it to the other side. My story along with yours is one of inspiration and we need to build a community of support and hopefully it can start here.
Thanks for reading and remember loving yourself is the most important thing you can do.
R.I.P. SKH
Wow. Thank you for your thoughtful and compassionate comment. I appreciate your prayers, thoughts and continued readership. I wish you the best in your mental health health and well being as well.
Bravo!
I found your blog through the Art of Manliness and I see that you are tackling significant issues with courage and openness! It’s inspiring. Even better, I am enjoying it. That’s saying something. As a person who deals with folks who struggle with mental illness, and as a bearer of depression in the past, I’m very glad to see a blog like yours, and look forward to future posts.
Please be assured of my prayers for you, and for your dear departed brother. You’ll both be on my list from here forward.