World Mental Health Day 2014: A Personal Reflection (Jonathan Harnisch)

Today is World Mental Health Day, and in 2014, the spotlight is finally—rightfully—on schizophrenia. I’ve been advocating for mental health awareness, especially around schizophrenia, since 2009. And this year feels different. For the first time, the conversation is truly taking hold—not just in newsrooms or academic circles, but across social networks, beyond the noise of pop culture and daily drama.

There’s a statistic often repeated: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue in any given year. While powerful, it risks implying that mental health challenges are reserved for a small, separate group. They’re not. Every one of us has mental health—just as we have physical health—and it deserves the same attention, care, and compassion.

Today, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. To those who speak up, to those who endure in silence, to those who offer support or seek understanding—you are part of this movement. Whether you live with a diagnosis or simply show up with empathy, you matter. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Recovering the Rhythm - October 10, 2014 - Jonathan Harnisch (Georgie Gust)

After a couple of rough days, I feel like I’m back on track. They followed a solid thirty-day stretch filled with joy, clarity, and progress—so the contrast felt sharper. Lately, my days have mostly been good. Today, I’m just a bit down and tired, nothing I can’t handle.

I've noticed a pattern: the quality of my days often hinges on whether I feel someone is taking advantage of me. It’s hard to tell which comes first—the suspicion or the symptoms. Sometimes I spiral into distrust because I'm symptomatic; other times, the distrust itself seems to trigger the symptoms. And when I act out, people may respond negatively, which just feeds that loop, making it all feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Therapy has helped me realize that, yes, people can be unfair or opportunistic—like taking extra smoke breaks while I’m footing the bill. But my therapist reminds me that the key is to process those feelings before reacting in a big way. Talking it out during sessions helps. With time, I usually find clarity and can hold off on reacting impulsively, which makes a real difference.

What’s been working—still—is movement. Getting outside, engaging with others, breaking up isolation. It’s never all-or-nothing. I keep reminding myself: this isn’t black and white. Slow and steady—that’s the way.

Also, I’ve been thinking about diet and noticing some recent weight gain. It might be a good idea for me and my therapist to make a run to Trader Joe’s. I’d like that. I’m confident we’ll find some healthy, tasty food options that work.