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Man with bipolar disorder will be awarded for community service to mental health

A man who was diagnosed with a mental health disorder said it’s his mission to spread awareness to the minority community, and on Saturday he will be recognized by the Premier Foundation of North Carolina for his community work. 
A successful entrepreneur, Rwenshaun Miller has earned a master's degree in counseling, founded a nonprofit and authored a book.
An academic scholarship took him to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he played football and ran for the track team.
He hit rock bottom during his sophomore year. 
He lost interest in things he used to enjoy and heard voices telling him that he was worthless.
“I overdosed on pills twice, and then the last time, I put a gun to my head and pulled the trigger and it jammed on me,” Miller said. “It was like, ‘You can't even kill yourself right. What is wrong with you?’”
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
He blogged about his experience after he received treatment and therapy. His hope was that other people would open up about their struggles.      
Now he is spreading awareness to others, and his work in the community is one of the reasons he will be recognized by the Premier Foundation for his commitment to bringing mental health to the forefront.  
“We love the work that Rwenshaun is doing and the resources he’s providing to multiple communities,” Martez Prince, chairman of the Premier Foundation, said.  “This subject is very taboo to talk about, but we are seeing the effects of not talking about it more and more each day.”
“We grew up in an era where what happens in this house, stays in this house,” Miller said. “Well, the house is about to burn down. We don't talk about those things. I do it to help the next generation and the generation that came before me.”
Miller organized the "Let's Talk About It" walks to help break the stigma, and his book, “Injured Reserve,” speaks directly to black men.
“We always want to put on the facade that we are always strong in all situations,” Miller said. “So that was something that I wanted to break down.”
His next goal is to open a mental health triage clinic, which would offer culturally efficient, affordable care.
Miller is honored by the Foundation’s acknowledgement and encouraged that this will allow him to bring awareness on another platform.
“It is surreal that the Premier Foundation has taken notice,” Miller said. “It’s an affirmation to keep doing what I’m doing.”
The Premier Foundation of North Carolina was created to serve the community by providing wellness resources and education to those in need.
“I'm here for a reason and that reason is to help other people not to go down that path that I went down,” Miller said. “That's why I am open about sharing my story.”
Three other community members will be honored by the Foundation on Saturday at Johnson C. Smith University.  You can purchase tickets and learn more by clicking on this link: Premier Foundation Black Tie Fundraiser 2018. 
If you have an inspiring story to share, please email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV community affairs manager, at kevin.campbell@wsoctv.com.

Cox Media Group

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