Having A Mental Illness Is Not A Death Sentence | Susan Johnson | TEDxTenayaPaseo

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal spiritual views and mental health experiences which some viewers may find distressing. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com...
Even though diagnosed with the mental illness known as bipolar disorder,Susan Johnson had a dream.In her TedX talk,she shares her riveting and inspiring story of the obstacles she overcame. Her story is proof that if we hang on to hope and faith and never give up anyone can achieve their dreams despite the odds.
Susan Johnson graduated from Drake University with a B.A, in Sociology. Since her diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 1995,Susan's true passion in life is to help break the stigma of living with a mental illness and bring hope to those living with one. She is an international selling author of "Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping" A Memoir Of My Bipolar Journey. She is an inspirational speaker and a mental health writer. She also co-leads a mental health group in her community. To learn more about Susan got to www.sjohnsonauthor.com Susan graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in Sociology. Since her diagnosis of Bipolar 1 in 1995, Susan's true passion in life is to help break the stigma of living with a mental illness and bring hope to those living with one. She is an accomplished inspirational speaker and guest blogger for a mental health magazine. She received the award for Best Blogger for Healthline.com in 2017 and appeared in the 2018 "This Is Me" article in BP Hope Magazine. Susan's writing also appears in” The Catholic Exchange.” Susan co-leads a mental health group at her church and currently works with special education students as an Instructional Assistant for a school district in Nevada. Susan is a member of an author community in Las Vegas. She enjoys hiking, baking, traveling, yoga, spending time with her Goddaughter, and trips to the ocean. Susan is originally from Thousand Oaks, CA. She now makes her home in fabulous Las Vegas with her husband, Gary, and Siberian cat, Angel-Ann. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@erikdarosa659]

Susan is an inspiration to all of us! Her advocacy for shattering mental health stigmas and giving others hope is her strength. The last 2 minutes are not to be missed!!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching and your kind remarks.

[@350879paris]

Such a valuable story that Susan shares here. So thankful for featuring her courageous story of prioritizing mental health on the Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L podcast. Susan is resilient and a beautiful example of what shattering the stigma looks like. I hope you gained as much value as I did from listening to the obstacles Susan has overcome to help others overcome challenges they face related to bipolar disorder.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks so much Paris ❤️.

[@coug1286]

A powerful testimony, Susie! Your suffering is not without purpose. One day this heavy cross will be gone. Thank God for your parents and Gary are there for you in a special way. I hope your talk inspires many to keep on keeping on. Love and prayers!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thank you for watching my talk and the kind comments

[@dissolvinggrief]

So proud to be your friend. The courage you show and your deep and abiding faith give me hope each day.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks Cat . I appreciate your support and kind words.

[@martinerosenaurjacobsones5670]

Wow!!! It takes a lot of courage to open up like this to the world. I really appreciate your honesty and perseverance as well as your sense of humor. Thank God for your family and your deep faith in your religion.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching my talk . Your comments mean the world to me.

[@conqueringeverest1547]

Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your suffering and faith. Beautiful.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for your kind words and for watching this. I appreciate it so much.

[@actlikeanauthorthinklikeabus]

Thank you for your transparency and for sharing your testimony both in this video and in your book. You are amazing, and your truth is going to touch, change, and save so many lives.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thank you so much for your supportive words. They brought tears to my eyes. It took me 14 months to prepare for this talk. It took everything I have to step on that stage. Your comment means the world to me.

[@bettybrink5399]

Such an inspiring talk! I am very close to several people with bipolar disorder. It's so important to raise awareness around this! Thank you for sharing your own story in order to help us all understand this disease and how to manage it and succeed in life!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Betty thanks for watching my talk and your sweet comments. It is appreciated.

[@zrinkamilo]

God bless you❤

[@ggav2356]

Lots of respect. Very inspirational. ❤❤❤❤

[@mikeseverance2641]

I really enjoyed the talk. Susan was engaging and motivating. And I could relate to a number of her problems. Overall I’d give this a very high rating!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for what it I am glad you found it to to be helpful.

[@Kdiamondporter]

Thank you for sharing your story! ❤

[@holysmokevegas1407]

Love your enthusiasm Susan. 💓

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks so much!

[@kimberlyfaithrayburn1629]

Girl you NAILED IT! So powerful! Love you girl!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching and for all your love and support.

[@jon-pauldupont5746]

So glad I watched this. Resonates with me in so many ways

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching this . Your comment means so much. This wasn’t an easy talk to give.

[@victoriakennedy1375]

Wow! What a powerful testimony! Thank you for sharing, you brave and beautiful soul 🌟

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching this and all your support.

[@peterdonovan]

Powerful speech 👏

[@chazperez888]

Beautiful talk!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for the kind remarks and for watching. Ditto.

[@cody_go_create]

Paula Abdul reference was fun haha

[@mitziehiegel4507]

You got me at Paula Abdul! TY XXOO

[@susanjohnson7236]

You are so welcome. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rupak7109]

awesome

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for taking the time to watch my talk!! It means a lot that you liked it!

[@jdiehl8]

Thanks for sharing your story with us..I loved having you as a guest on The Louder Now Podcast :) What the world needs more of is brave and courageous voices that give hope by sharing their ups and downs and the hope that they have found now :) Thanks for being one of those people that give us hope

[@zrinkamilo]

God bless you❤

[@personaldevelopmentuniversity]

Steve Kader, here. Very inspiring message about the biggest health epidemic in the USA.

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching!!

[@winolawrightjacobsones6941]

This was awesome! You are brave and courageous for putting your story out there. Thank you for being vulnerable and helping to bring awareness to this topic. Also thank you for your hard work with students and supporting teachers, it is greatly appreciated!!

[@susanjohnson7236]

Thanks for watching!! Your words mean so much.