International author with bipolar disorder: 'Writing is my coping mechanism'
American writer Felicia Johnson who suffered from a number of mental health issues, has told our 'Invest in Life' campaign writing helped her come to terms with her condition.
Last updated 23rd Nov 2017
Atlanta born Felicia Johnson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 15, after suffering from a nervous breakdown.
She suffered from abuse at a young age and later fought her own personal battles with depression, self harm and homelessness.
But Felicia turned her life around, studied psychology, penned two novels and now travels the globe raising awareness of mental health issues.
Her message is one of hope and survival:
"What I learnt to do from a very young age was write.
"I always kept journals since I was six years old.
"I used writing as a tool for coping and that's always been my number one coping mechanism.
"I say journaling is good medicine, you can just write for yourself nobody has to read it, it's yours to get your thoughts out," she said.
Felicia tragically lost her best friend to suicide.
Her first book 'HER' is dedicated to Holly and focuses on issues such as borderline personality disorder, depression and self-harm.
"My book is a story of hope and that's what I want to provide sufferers with-hope in their difficult journey," she said.
Personal experience and clinical training in mental health issues means she feels she can help others all over the world, going through a similar ordeal.
"The reason why I choose not to just stay in the United States is because when travelling the world I've met so many people with the same issues and I learned that this is not a regional issue, this isn't just one country this a global issue," she said.
She launched her very own social media campaign in a bid to unite people suffering from mental illness.
"It's a global, awareness campaign for people to come together and connect.
"We have the SOS stamp out stigma.
"It'll be the first thing that'll pop up on facebook, it's just a safe space for everybody to come together," she said.
Born in Pennsylvania, Felicia travelled to Belfast recently to promote her message.
She says the city is of particular interest to her due to its history:
"Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in all of the UK and that really hurt me.
"I've lost five friends to suicide and that's five too many," she said.
And she had this message for anyone currently in crisis or despair:
"It doesn't matter what you're going through, the truth is there's always going to be somebody out there who'd rather you speak up and talk to them than you hurt yourself or do something that you can't take back like dying by suicide.
"It's not an option, it shouldn't be an option and my advice is to always just reach out," she said.