Brave

Men and women

Standing in line

Ready to share

To testify

Their stories of struggle

And overcoming.

Battling demons

Following God

Taking medications

In the hospital ward.

Warriors each one

As they fight stigma

With an axe of truth.

No more hiding

No more fear

No more shame.

Just being brave

For the sake of life.

About the poem:

I’ve been very inspired lately after watching several TED talks with people speaking their truth about bipolar and schizophrenia. Each one of them is a brave warrior. I hope to have the courage one day to do the same. We need more people sharing their stories because it counteracts stigma. Stigma causes people to hide their true selves. It causes people to lose jobs and opportunities. We need to collectively make a safe environment for people to share and be themselves.