I remember traveling to the “big city” as a kid and laughing at the “crazy” people on the streets.   They wore strange clothing.  They mumbled to themselves.  They even broke forth in loud, unintelligable tirades, suddenly, without warning.  They were funny. 

And then mental illness touched my own life.

Suddenly I knew the people others would call crazy.  They were my friends; they were family.  I knew them before their brain short-circuited.  I knew their mental illness was not who they were.  They were fun, witty, intelligent, giving – immensely gifted.  They didn’t ask to be prisoners of their own minds.  At times, they even cried out for help, but we could never truly understand; we couldn’t make it better.  We could do little more than watch, helpless - hoping for a day when there would be more than a temporary fix. 

Suddenly, “crazy” was no longer something that made me laugh, it broke my heart.      

NARSAD believes in a world without mental illness - and they strive each and every day to make it a reality.  NARSAD invests in the best and brightest scientific minds throughout the world to unravel the complexities of schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and many other psychiatric diseases. Then, [they] continue to support the researchers as they use their findings to develop next-generation diagnostics and treatments for these conditions. With enough effort, NARSAD expects scientists someday to discover preventions and cures for these devastating illnesses.

But they can only continue this quest with our help.  Won’t you consider giving today?  Give in support of loved ones who must live with mental illness; give in thankfulness for those you love, whose minds are whole.   

Interested in this charity?

NARSAD received four-stars on Charity Navigator.  Click here to review the full report.  Or visit NARSAD’s website directly - learn more about mental disorders and how you can be a part of building a brighter future for us all …