It Could Have Been Me...or You

I originally posted the tale below on Facebook on March 31, 2014, and with the recent death of Robin Williams it came to mind. All of us tether in the balance of sanity--seriously! Our mental health is just as important as our physical health and can often have adverse affects on our bodies. If you or someone you love has a heart attack, or stroke you would seek medical attention. Yet we often choose to ignore the signs and symptoms of issues with our mental health or that of a loved one. We are often paralyzed by the stigma of shame and it keeps us from seeking the help needed. Be alert and vigilant, watch for signs and, if necessary, help those you care about when it comes to mental and physical health issues. It can possibly save a life...

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This evening a lady got on the bus from downtown to Glenn Heights. We're an express to the park & ride so there are no stops after downtown. She was sitting beside me. I noticed she started looking around frantically. All of a sudden she starts yelling out--"Where is the bus going?"...she wants to to get off when we tell her it's going to Glenn Heights. She became pretty hysterical and started crying. She said she only wanted to go to a Walmart--and didn't want to leave Dallas. She demanded to get off and the driver told her he couldn't stop on the freeway.

When we got to Glenn Heights and everyone started to get off she got even more frantic. The driver told her he would take her back where she could get another bus in Dallas. It took several of us to coax her back on the bus. She was crying like a baby.

I know the driver would have normally been going to turn in his bus but knew she needed help. I'm grateful he agreed to took her where she wanted to go. The last time I witnessed a lady stranded, the driver wouldn't take her back downtown. (I ended up taking her to the train station!). It seemed pretty apparent this poor lady is probably dealing with some mental health issues. I pray she will get to her destination safely. It really makes you not take "being in your right mind" for granted!

Mental health issues are very real and deserve attention. It is sad that society has stigmatized this condition to the point we stick our heads in the sand and act as if it does not exist. Become proactive today...seek and provide assistance for help, when needed.

I always welcome your feedback and comments. Please continue to share your thoughts with me and post a comment below on this blog site. Of course comments on Facebook are appreciated too.