I’m Heidi Fischer, And This Is My Dharma

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I am a mental health advocate, who began an Instagram on the topic in 2017. I have a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and have symptoms of anxiety. I use medication and therapy and do not hide this. I also believe in holistic treatment. I often engage in and look for new ways of healing.

Personal or Professional Goals:

My goal is to normalize mental illness. I want to reduce the stigma associated with the illnesses and their treatments. We all have mental health and so this should be a topic we all feel comfortable with. I continually let others know that “they are not the only one” with their particular struggles, and this feedback is very rewarding.

What’s Your Offering to the World?

I offer a genuine and honest view into my life; both in regards to my own mental illness and advocacy. I know this has, and will continue to have an impact on people. I have received private messages that have included anything from individuals sharing they started treatment due to my work, all the way to people who let me know they have never known anyone else with their symptoms. I offer individuals insight into what mental illness can look like.

Who/What Inspires You?

Nature is one of my biggest inspirations. In the city I live in, we have a river that cuts right through the centre. I spend a lot of time here and nearby parks. No matter my mood there is always something beautiful to look at, wonderful smells, and things needing photographing. I often post a lot of pictures things I see in nature, which I use as a reminder of how important the outdoors can be.

Mission:

My mission is to continue this work, while increasing my outreach, and utilizing new and different platforms. After creating my instagram page, I started writing articles for The Mighty, and some of them have had a huge response. One has over 5 thousand likes! I was kindly contacted by Sivana about the possibility of writing for them, which is a new leap for me. One of my long term goals is to write a book on the topic, being able to write articles is a good beginning.

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Favorite Quote:

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

Goals:

I am currently on a disability work leave due to my mental health. While this has been at times a difficult situation, it has given me the opportunity to slow down and engage in the things I love doing. This opportunity has increased my self-confidence, showed me new skills, and allowed me to look more deeply at the world around me.

Website:
www.mentalhealthyxe.com

Instagram:
@mentalhealthyxe