san Anselmo Resident Carol Emery Shares Heartfelt Journey in ”Son on the run”
San Anselmo resident Carol Emery has turned her family’s deeply personal struggles into a powerful narrative with her new project, “Son on the run.” The story, which began when her son Colin was just 11 years old, sheds light on the challenges of recognizing and addressing mental health issues in children.
Colin’s early signs of paranoia where initially dismissed as odd behavior. “We thought his behavior was odd, but the word ‘paranoia’ never crossed our minds,” Emery recalls. “He used to come home and search the house. I would ask, ‘What are you looking for?’ and try to get him to open up. And he said,‘I think (my stepfather) is spying on me.’ And I just laughed as it seemed like a funny thing to say. I assured him that he wasn’t spying on him, and I’ll make sure he doesn’t.”
What started as seemingly harmless quirks soon escalated into more serious concerns.Emery’s journey to understand and support her son became a testament to the complexities of parenting a child with mental health challenges.Her story is not just about struggle but also about resilience, love, and the importance of awareness.
“Son on the Run” is more then a personal memoir; it’s a call to action for families and communities to recognize the early signs of mental health issues in children. Emery’s narrative is a poignant reminder that laughter and reassurance, while comforting, are not always enough.
Key takeaways from Carol Emery’s Story
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Early Signs | Colin’s paranoia began at age 11, with behaviors like searching the house.|
| Parental Response | Initially dismissed as odd, later recognized as a serious issue. |
| Project | “Son on the Run” highlights the journey of understanding and support. |
| Message | Awareness and early intervention are crucial for mental health in children. |
Emery’s story is a beacon of hope for families navigating similar challenges. Her candidness in sharing her experiences aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversations.
For those interested in learning more about mental health resources, visit National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or explore local support groups in your area.
Carol Emery’s “Son on the Run” is a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy. Her journey reminds us that while the road might potentially be tough, it is indeed never walked alone.
What’s your take on mental health awareness in children? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.A Mother’s Journey Through Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Loss
In Marin, California, a mother watched her son grow into a “brilliant young man,” excelling in academics and thriving in sports at Drake High School.But the highs and lows she witnessed in his teenage years were more than just the typical ups and downs of adolescence—they were signs of bipolar disorder.
“We had a hard time really seeing that he had bipolar disorder. And, evidently, acing tests and being on the football team and tennis and all the things that he did were part of the manic part of being bipolar. And we saw it as just being a very accomplished young man.So, even with my knowledge about ups and downs, we couldn’t see it,” said Emery, a retired operating room nurse who also lives with bipolar disorder.
Her son’s journey with paranoia,bipolar disorder,and schizophrenia is the focus of her deeply personal book,Son on the Run. The cover features a man running, a striking resemblance to her son, which she describes as “divine intervention.”
“It was inspired, I think, by a power greater than myself,” said Emery, who grew up in Fairfax.
Unexpected Loss and Healing through Writing
For Emery, the book began as a way to process the unexpected loss of her son in December 2020. He passed away in his sleep at 34 due to a heart defect.
“I started out just rereading my journal. I created a journal and I decided that I need to put these things down on paper because it was so unbelievable what happened. and it helped me process the whole story,” she shared.
Her son’s struggles with schizophrenia began before he turned 30 while he was in Cambodia.Hallucinations soon escalated into psychotic episodes, hearing voices, and channeling different personalities. the title of the book reflects his belief that the FBI, CIA, and Mafia were after him.
“Schizophrenia still has a really bad connotation, and nobody admits that they are schizophrenic,” Emery noted, highlighting the stigma that persists around the condition.
A Life of Brilliance and Struggle
After graduating high school, Colin attended the University of California at Davis, majoring in biology and genetics.
“I think the most proud I was was when he was at UC Davis,and he was finishing college and he took the MCATs,the medical college admission test. And he scored 99% on it. He had a photographic memory and he taught medical students how to pass the MCAT on their first try. He was very intelligent,” Emery recalled.Colin interned at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco as a perfusion assistant for the open heart program and helped organize the first virtual classes for Kaplan, allowing him to teach while traveling the world.
“I give examples of how I reacted to all of his travels in a very realistic way. I had a lot of bipolar problems as a result of his actions, and I portray them very realistically,” Emery said of his journeys to Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Cambodia, Vietnam, and beyond.
Confronting the past
Looking back on her son’s life—and her own—was not easy. Emery, an Alcoholics Anonymous member with 18 years of sobriety, reflected on their shared struggles with drugs and alcohol.
“I have as learned that drugs and alcohol are directly related,” she said,acknowledging the role these substances played in their lives.
Breaking the Stigma
Emery hopes her book will provide support and understanding for others affected by mental illness.
“I’ve gotten so much positive feedback and I’m very hopeful it’ll help others who are going through similar things or are affected by mental illness,” she said.
While awareness of mental health issues is growing, Emery believes there’s still a long way to go in breaking the stigma, particularly around schizophrenia.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Conditions | Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, paranoia |
| Book Title | son on the Run |
| Author | Emery, a retired operating room nurse |
| Son’s Achievements | UC Davis graduate, 99% MCAT score, perfusion assistant, Kaplan instructor |
| struggles | Hallucinations, psychotic episodes, substance abuse |
| Message | Breaking stigma, providing support for mental illness |
Emery’s story is a poignant reminder of the complexities of mental health and the importance of compassion and understanding. Her book, Son on the Run, is not just a tribute to her son but a call to action for greater awareness and support for those living with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.Finding Solace in Creativity: how Jewelry-Making Became a Lifeline for Mental health Recovery
For many, the journey through mental illness is fraught with challenges, but for one artist, the path to healing has been illuminated by the sparkle of beads and the artistry of jewelry-making. “Medications are essential to mental illness, and they are used to pacify the ups and downs and uncomfortableness of mental illness,” she shared. “I’m in AA and that’s a help because the medication works a lot better when you’re not medicating yourself.”
Her story is one of resilience and rediscovery. After receiving a small box of beads as a holiday gift, she found herself drawn to the therapeutic process of creating jewelry. What began as a simple pastime soon blossomed into a passion, offering her a sense of purpose and comfort. Today, she sells her handmade pieces through platforms like Semiprecious by Carol, and also at local events such as Marin Open Studios and other fairs.
Her work is more than just art; it’s a testament to the power of creativity in mental health recovery. Each piece she crafts carries a story of perseverance,a reminder that healing can come in unexpected forms.
Key Highlights of her Journey
| aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Inspiration | Gifted a box of beads during the holidays |
| Platforms | Semiprecious by Carol, Marin Open Studios, fairs |
| Therapeutic Value | Jewelry-making as a source of comfort and purpose |
| Community Support | Active participation in AA, enhancing the effectiveness of medication |
Her story is a powerful reminder that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. For her, the act of creating jewelry has become a lifeline, a way to channel her energy into something gorgeous and meaningful.
If you’re inspired by her journey,consider exploring the world of health.
Based on the article, here are my thoughts on mental health awareness in children and the insights gained from the mother’s journey:
- Early Intervention: The mother noticed her son’s emotional highs and lows, which turned out to be signs of bipolar disorder. Early identification and intervention can substantially improve treatment outcomes and prevent more serious issues later on.
- Mental health Literacy: Even as a nurse, the mother struggled to recognize her son’s symptoms as bipolar disorder. This highlights the need for better mental health literacy among parents, teachers, and the wider community to ensure children get the help they need.
- Stigma: The mother noted the persistent stigma around schizophrenia, which can frequently enough prevent individuals from seeking help or talking about their experiences. Education and open conversations can definitely help reduce stigma and encourage more people to speak up about mental health issues.
- Co-occurring Conditions: Alcohol and drugs played a role in both the mother’s and her son’s lives. Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are common, and effective treatment should address both conditions concurrently.
- Support for Families: The mother’s book was a way to process her son’s loss and her own experiences. This shows the importance of support systems for families dealing with mental health challenges. Peer support groups, therapy, and online resources can all be helpful.
- Resilience and Achievements: Despite his mental health struggles, the son achieved significant academic and professional successes. This illustrates that mental illness doesn’t define a person or prevent them from achieving their goals.
In terms of experiences, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of early intervention and the impact of stigma.I’ve witnessed children struggle with mental health issues, and the sooner they get help, the more manageable their conditions become. I’ve also seen the power of open conversations in reducing stigma and helping people feel less alone in their struggles.
I encourage everyone to learn about mental health, be willing to have open conversations about it, and support those who are struggling. By doing so, we can definitely help ensure that children and young people get the help and support they need to thrive.
#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildrensMentalHealth #EarlyIntervention #StigmaFree #SupportMatters
