July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but mental health care deserves to be acknowledged every month of the year. 

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995, so I know firsthand the fear and isolation that accompanies a mental illness.

My recovery story spans 20 years, a bevy of stays in hospitals and local jails, and a long journey to find the right medical care. The turning point for me was 2004 — I found a great mental health care provider, which led to full-time work and the support and healing I needed. 

Today, I am a proud mental health advocate, author, and peer support specialist working in the mental health sector. I’m at this place in large part because of the proliferation of technology, and I’m using that same technology to make recovery support more accessible — for every northern Illinoisan during every month of the year.

My Facebook group, Eliminating Mental Health Stigma, is a free, affordable, safe space for members of the community to seek help, share triumphs, and build community.

I recently graduated from Elgin Community College where I completed online coursework to become a Certified Recovery Support Specialist so I can walk with patients experiencing mental illness. I authored a book, When Shattered Lives Become Whole, about my journey with bipolar disorder to give hope to those navigating the diagnosis. And, I provide education via YouTube and Zoom to help make it easier for patients in recovery to access support. 

In today’s world, technology plays a crucial role in mental healthcare, improving access, removing stigma, and helping providers reach rural and vulnerable communities.

I hope our lawmakers in D.C. consider stories like mine when engineering new regulations for the technology industry. A strong tech sector is key to a strong health care sector and, subsequently, a strong Rockford.

Jeanette Towns, Rockford