Both as a person who lives with depression and anxiety daily for years and as a mental health social worker, mental health is near and dear to my heart.  I think of myself as an advocate for those with mental health issues, chronic pain, and both visible and invisible disabilities as I suffer from all of these myself.  I have been living with these medical issues and mental health issues for over 30 years and have worked as mental health social worker for the last 20 years, with many more years to go.  Watching my brother suffer from sever chronic pain and mental illness was horrible. Especially when I had to fight to have him taken off life support and slowly watch him transition from here to his next phase of external life.  That did not help my mental health at all, but I got through it.  Seven years later and I still have good times and bad times.  June is especially difficult and can either be good one year and bad another year.  I never know.  All I know is no matter how bad my depression may get I know I have a therapist to turn to and family that loves and supports me and I will get through the difficult times.  I hope to help others manage their mental health even if all I do is offer a listening ear.  My phone is always on and I am always available to talk, listen, and help however I can.