Breaking the silence: Cindy’s fight against mental health stigma

Cindy is a fierce voice in the fight to end the stigma around mental illness. She openly speaks about hope, healing and the promise that life can get better, even when it feels impossible.

But for years, Cindy couldn’t believe her own words.

“I have struggled with my mental health for most of my life. From early on I knew something was wrong, but I never knew what it was,” she shared. “I started seeing a counselor in my 20s to work through what I was experiencing, but after a divorce 15 years later, I was left alone to pick up the pieces of my life.”

Cindy’s normally vibrant personality faded. She isolated herself, battling a deep depression that made even getting out of bed a struggle. Soon, Cindy experienced a mental breakdown and was hospitalized at the current Ascension All Saints Hospital for two weeks. In that time, she learned coping strategies and started the path toward healing.

That path was not linear, though, as it came with many unexpected twists and turns. Cindy lost her job, experienced the death of her father and again fell into a dark place. She isolated herself and withdrew from her normal activities of going to the beach, coloring and attending concerts. 

And then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. Everything shut down, Cindy lost her job and was confined to the walls of her condo. Surviving the isolation of the pandemic, Cindy then faced another heartbreak: the death of her mother in 2022.

“My family tried to help me, but they just couldn’t get through,” she shared. “I stopped eating and wasn’t drinking enough water. One morning, when I tried getting out of bed, my legs just wouldn’t work.”

That startling realization prompted a call to 911, which then led her to the emergency department at Ascension All Saints. While there, it was discovered that Cindy was severely dehydrated and malnourished. She struggled to converse with medical providers, and felt like she was stuck inside her own mind.

During that emergency department visit, Cindy agreed to an inpatient hospitalization at All Saints and was there for two weeks. During her stay, a representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shared a presentation that sparked something in Cindy — a glimmer of possibility.

“One day, someone from NAMI came in for a presentation, and I realized that maybe I could have a life, and maybe I was worth it,” Cindy shared.

That’s when everything changed for the better. Cindy started participating in individual and group therapy sessions and enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) through All Saints, completing it twice.

Today, Cindy sees her therapist, Amy, twice a month, regularly takes her medication, participates in group sessions, finds solace in her support cat, Whiskers and has once again found joy in life.

“I’m going to all of my appointments, attending concerts, going for walks and using my coloring books again. I even traveled to Tennessee by myself recently. I have hope, and found the light at the end of the tunnel. I really had to want it,” Cindy shared. “I want everyone to know that there is hope, and that you aren’t alone. If I can do it, then I believe in everybody else, too.”

Cindy’s story is proof that healing is possible — with the right support, determination and compassion. Ascension Wisconsin offers comprehensive behavioral health services throughout the state.  If you are in need of care resources, please click here to learn more and find support today.