My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb. And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them.

I know a lot of you have already seen this, but I also know that we are not all connected on Facebook, and so I wanted to put it on the blog to share.

This Is My Brave asked each of us to make an a short video introducing ourselves. I was first on the schedule, and here I am.

This was really scary to do, and I feel proud of it.

It's insecurity-provoking to share your own words, but then when you're sharing your heart words and  saying them out loud into a camera where everyone can see your regular eye rolls and the funny little faces you make, and hear your high little voice, well, that's a whole nother level of yikes.

And yet I think it's extremely important to talk, talk, talk until we are blue in the face about how mental illness is just plain old normal.

Eventually, if we talk enough, if enough people come forth and share their stories, mental illnesses will move into the realm of common everyday boring illnesses like high cholesterol and allergies. They'll be so prosaic that we'll talk about them on the bus and share contact info for doctors and swap medication stories.

Because they are that common.

Once this happens, people will not feel ashamed to seek the care they need. They will no longer go without help because they're too afraid to admit that they need it.

I said it in the video and I will say it again forever until it is no longer true. I believe that the shame associated with mental illness kills people. And I believe talking breaks the stigma.

Also, sorry for only being a semi-reasonable wife, Nick.