OSMH has been the most helpful simply by being out there. Being visible. Whether I’m actively participating or not, just knowing I’m not alone in the struggle is a tremendous benefit. While I’ve been aware of my mental illness for a long time—15 years?—it’s taken most of that time to gain an understanding of how it impacts my work, both positively and negatively.
As an introvert under the hood, I may not actively engage. But I take comfort knowing I could actively engage, because OSMH will have my back. Awareness of a support network is huge. The fact that OSMH is spreading the word and increasing awareness of mental illness and its potential impact among the neurotypicals working in other parts of an organization is just icing on the cake. Knowing I can call on you when I need you is the most important thing.