I nor my parents knew all the details of my family regarding mental illness.

We never heard any diagnosis. So, whether or not a family member had one is uncertain.  

My first year of college is when I began to reach out for help regarding my own depression.

During my first counseling session, my mother discussed our family history thinking it was all clearcut.

She openly discussed aunts, uncles, grandparents, who were treated with psychiatric medication, some being institutionalized or hospitalized as well as mentioning those who committed suicide.

This was all stated as a matter of fact, but in reality, there were no facts.

Yes, family members did take psychiatric prescription drugs. But why.

This is a question I often wish I had answers to.

My great aunt was a family member who was treated for mental illness for many years with prescription drugs.

She was born one of seven children.

After her dad died, her mother (my great grandmother) was left raising the children by herself during the great depression.

With little money and resources, my great aunt was sent to be raised by her mother’s sister.

Even though it was family, it naturally would be a traumatic experience for any child.

During the last few years of my great aunt’s life, she took the sole responsibility of taking care of her husband who was confined to a wheelchair.

My great aunt was on medication, in and out of the hospital for suicide attempts and while in the hospital received what was then known as shock treatment.

Soon after being released from the hospital, my great aunt tried to kill herself. This pattern continued for years.

I remember visiting her in the hospital. She would come outside when we were there. Happy to see us and always saying she just wanted to go home.

I was too young to know all the details and unfortunately my mom didn’t know either.