
I’m Keren.
I’m 40 years old.
She/Her
I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
I spent my summers growing up in Michigan’s UP.
I have had several surgeries throughout my life. My medical issues have been debilitating over the years.
I had one surgery at the age of one, one at the age of three. Then another around the age of nineteen, twenty-five, thirty-four and thirty-eight.
I had to get EKG’s done yearly until the age of eighteen.
From birth until about eleven years old, my family and I belonged to a very small church with a very charismatic leader.
That led to a turbulent relationship between religion in general and myself.
I was taught music at a very young age, and was instantly in love with all of it. I originally wanted to study music theory in college. So, I obtained an Associates Degree in Fine Arts and Literature in 2006.
My original plan was to go into music therapy.
To help out kids like me.
But, I went on to totally change gears, and graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Environmental Studies and Applications (now it’s just called Environmental Sciences) in the winter of 2008.
My mental and physical health have been horrible over my lifetime.
They have both gotten to a point now where I am significantly, negatively impacted by them everyday.
After working since I was 15 years old, I got let go from my last job in March of 2021. I haven’t been able to work since.
Diagnoses..
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar 1
Bipolar 1 With Psychotic Features
ADHD
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depressive Type Schizoaffective Disorder
Dissociative Amnesia
OCD
PTSD
Hypothyroidism
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Degenerative Joint/Disk Disease
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Legally blind in left eye
What Can I Do?
There are so many things individuals can do to help others in a mental health crisis.
- Volunteer at a shelter, help line, crisis center, etc…
- Use “smile.Amazon.com” while checking out and choose a mental health organization.
- Post mental health outreach resources on social media.
- Educate yourself. Dive into a rabbit hole of information.
- Donate directly needed items or amounts to your local mental health facilities.
- Be there for one another, and listen.
- Be compassionate and curious, not judgmental and frustrated.
Some links and resources for more information and help with mental health issues in the US:

A Delusional Predisposition
weekly writings of daily life with mental illness.
stigmas shattered.
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