Presented at the NAMI National Pathways to Hope Conference. Dear Stigma, You’ve made a comfortable home for yourself in our faith-based communities. You’ve stood within our sanctuaries like an uninvited guest. You’ve whispered in our ears, time and time again. Your message is convincing. Your roots lie within our minds and our hearts. Your reach … Continue reading An Open Letter to Stigma
20 Lessons From the Psychiatric Unit
Published in Channel Kindness. The psych ward is often seen as a place of despair—a dark, scary space where people go when things feel impossible. But for me, it became something more: a place of unexpected connection, kindness, and healing. This is not a story about a perfect recovery or easy answers. Rather, it’s a … Continue reading 20 Lessons From the Psychiatric Unit
How to Survive the College Classroom as an Introvert
With all the students, noise, and distractions, what’s an introvert to do? Let’s face it, surviving and navigating college is rough, never mind college lectures, too: Dealing with the hubbub of the classroom as an introvert can be a real pain. My first few semesters of college, when I was a freshman, I struggled to get through … Continue reading How to Survive the College Classroom as an Introvert
Navigating Care: From Therapy to Hospitalization
A personal exploration of the different treatments available for bipolar disorder, from intensive inpatient care to supportive outpatient options. Living with bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming, especially right after a diagnosis. The process of seeking treatment might be daunting, but understanding how the treatment system works can help ease some of that anxiety. I’ve been through a … Continue reading Navigating Care: From Therapy to Hospitalization
A Journey of Hope And Healing
An ADAA Publication On my 21st birthday, I spent the day in a hospital, receiving the life-changing diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. At the time, I felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and fear. The thought of celebrating my life or looking forward to brighter days seemed unimaginable. I vividly recall the hospital social worker … Continue reading A Journey of Hope And Healing
A Guide to College for Introverts With Disabilities
I had to learn to speak up and advocate for myself, which isn’t easy for an introvert. I recently graduated with a degree in History and a minor in Law for Business in the summer of 2024, and I could not be more excited! However, there were many times when I thought that graduation was … Continue reading A Guide to College for Introverts With Disabilities
About Bylines and Becoming
Welcome to Bylines and Becoming — a space where stories of struggle, strength, and transformation come alive, because one does not exist without the other. My name is Caitlyn, and this blog is my place—and safe space—to share the raw, messy, and beautiful process of becoming who I am meant to be. Life doesn’t always … Continue reading About Bylines and Becoming
First-Year student shares their impression on Franklin & Marshall food
A Franklin & Marshall College Newspaper Publication. Between signing up for classes and registering for clubs, it is easy for first-years at F&M to overlook a critical aspect of college life: food. There are four main dining options within F&M’s campus. Outside of F&M, Lancaster itself is home to a plethora of restaurants that are … Continue reading First-Year student shares their impression on Franklin & Marshall food
What Digging in the Dirt Taught Me About Mental Health
A BpHope by Everyday Health Publication. Fieldwork in archaeology helped me understand emotional boundaries, pacing, and the layered process of living with bipolar disorder. I never expected that brushing dirt off ancient artifacts would teach me how to care for my mental health. When I began volunteering with an archaeologist, I thought I was simply … Continue reading What Digging in the Dirt Taught Me About Mental Health
6 Tiny Ways To Take Care of Your Anxiety
A Channel Kindness Publication. Sometimes, less is more in the mental health sphere. When it comes to mental health and building healthy habits, it’s tempting to think big. But I’ve found that thinking too big can lead to feelings of failure when things don’t work out. Personally, in order to manage my own mental health, … Continue reading 6 Tiny Ways To Take Care of Your Anxiety
My Healing Journey: One Neighbor’s Kindness
A Channel Kindness Publication. A little among neighbors is worth more than riches in a wilderness. – Welsh Proverb Sometimes, the most profound moments of healing stem from the most unexpected acts of kindness. The moment that shaped my healing journey came from a neighbor, Mrs. Connelly. Mrs. Connelly gave me not only her kindness, … Continue reading My Healing Journey: One Neighbor’s Kindness
Hope Lives Here 