From it’s inception, katemclaughlin.net has encouraged you to learn all that you can and to take back your life.

If you have a mental illness, take the necessary steps to stabilize and then live the best life you can.

If you love someone with a mental illness, learn everything about that illness and treatment, differentiate between the things you can change and those you cannot; and then live with love and joy despite the challenges.

Through this site I’ve helped an incredible number of people, logging nearly 19,083 hits and visits on a recent single day. I’ve received letters of thanks and emails of gratitude, answered dozens of questions, and made referrals to services in hundreds of cities across the country. I’ve helped hundreds of families, parents, kids and teens. And all without advertisers, sponsorships or “selling out.”

This site and the advocacy that accompanies it have become a full-time job. I spend hours each day researching, creating my posts, writing articles for other publications, speaking to various groups, and managing all aspects of the “business.”  In the meantime, several projects about which I’m really excited have been on hold. Not any more.

A cyber-stalker changed all that.

Despite compromising my work,  defacing my site, destroying my databases and threatening my safety and security, one man offered me a wonderful gift. By forcing me to reassess my values and priorities, this man reignited my courage, my confidence and my creativity.

I’m taking back my life.

As of today, the blog portion of www.katemclaughlin.net is no longer active. I’ll be working on a manuscript long put aside, writing poetry and prose for my own pleasure, learning Spanish and spending more time with my family.

I have Bumpus to thank for it all.

Without his unintentional prompt — because he intended only malice during the months he spent planning and perpetrating his assault — I’d have continued as I was for who knows how long, but now I’m moving on. If you need immediate help, check in with NAMI, DBSA, Mental Health America or NIMH. Each has abundant resources and local connections. Each can answer questions and share information with those willing to seek it.

For now…

I wish you wellness. I wish you well.

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