Suicide In My Family

Heather McCready, experienced days filled with "desperate sadness and intense darkness" and was diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder and then hospitalized for mania and suicidal depression. Ms. McCready's voyage through mental illness deprived her of her creative abilities for six years. Finally, after all medicines failed, she underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and now enjoys fewer dark days.

Bipolar Disorder carries a high genetic probability, meaning it tends to run in families. Heather's grandfather began to handle the disorder only after ECT many years ago. Her aunt and cousin weren't so fortunate and succumbed to suicide a year apart. Heather knows she must maintain awareness about her condition and vowed to tell her closest loved ones if suicidal thoughts bombard her so they can help right away.

About Heather McCready

These days, Ms. McCready enjoys her once-lost creative abilities and describes herself as a "peaceful folk singer-songwriter and mental health advocate" striving to find meaning in her pain by speaking out against the stigmas still associated with mental illness.

She feels that she is successful when she can comfort, inspire hope, or enlighten people enough that her actions produce understanding for those who suffer from mental illness.

The following interview discusses Heather's treatment program, her desire to reach out to others, and ideas to help you overcome suicidal thoughts or support loved ones who have them.

Share Your Experience of Suicide in Your Family

How did a loved one's suicide impact you? How did you learn to cope? We invite you to call us and share your thoughts and experience with us at 1-888-883-8045. (Info about Sharing Your Mental Health Experience here.) You can also leave comments below.