Robert Moran’s Amazing Mental Health Journey

In This Episode – Brian follows up on a conversation he had with his son Robert on World Mental Health Day in 2019 (10/10/19). To date, it is the most downloaded episode on the Small Business Edge Podcast Platform. They talk about Robert’s amazing progress, and advice he has for others who are struggling with mental health issues.

Robert’s Advice on:

• Part of the lyrics in the song “One Day More” from Les Miserables helped me deal with my struggles. “One more day to see where God in Heaven has in store.” I’d say to myself, “If I hang in there one more day, then I’ll be okay.” It worked. 
• I believe that my experience can help people. I tell my story and if it helps or inspires someone, then it was worth going through.
• There are people listening right now whose families don’t love them because their parents, siblings, and spouses don’t understand what they’re going through. We understood what you were going through once we decided, metaphorically speaking, to sit on your side of the table and see the world from your point of view.
• Mom and I got breaks from your mental illness. We went for walks, went to work, and we went out to dinner; you didn’t have that option. When we realized that it was in your head 24/7, that’s when we said, “we need to be there for him 24/7 until it gets better. Robert must know that he has our unconditional support.”
• I’ve written in a journal since 2013. Most of it is whatever is in my head at that momento. It could be, “Hey, I had eggs for breakfast,” or, “I’m having a bad day.” I don’t even have to get into it. I just keep writing and I can feel the bad feelings leaving my mind and body as I write them on the page.
• I am happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I love my parents, I have better relationships with my siblings, I’m living in my own apartment, and I have a great job at a local school. I’m a better person for what I’ve gone through. I’m a more appreciative, more humble, more grateful, and I see life through a new lens. Although I didn’t ask for mental illness, I am very grateful for what happened to me. It made me into the man I always wanted to be.
• Marcus Aurelius once said, to have misfortune and prevail is good fortune.