NAMI Lake County IN

12/18/2025

We have a NAMI Connection meeting tonight (12/18/25) at Green Witch in Highland. Starts at 6pm.

12/08/2025

I eat French fries with a fork. You may think that’s a little strange. Not many people do that, and those of us who do usually face comments about our “weird behavior.” Many times, it’s easy to play off — I grew up doing it, I say, which can then launch a discussion about my family and get us off the topic, or I say I didn’t have time to wash my hands before sitting down.

I don’t say that when I was little, I couldn’t touch food without washing my hands. If someone else passed me a French fry, I’d bite the part they hadn’t touched and then find someplace to hide the rest. My lap was my usual go-to since it was easy to slide the fry over into my pocket. If the fry-passer had big fingers and touched a lot, it’d be disappointing because I’d only get to eat a little. But even my love for fries couldn’t overpower my unwillingness to accept one from someone unless I saw them wash their hands.

It’s a little thing to most people — but growing up with OCD meant that this wasn’t little to me. Something so small could turn into a whole thought process that kept me up at night. And so, I eat French fries with a fork.

These fries I’m trying today are a sign of me being brave. I’ve never had beer-battered fries before, and trying new foods is as hard for me as it is for a toddler. Just the thought of trying a little bit can make me incredibly anxious, even if it’s something most people have had a thousand times. I try to ration it, and I have all sorts of solutions for upset stomachs of different kinds, just in case. I even have some stuff in my purse, just in case one of my valiant efforts goes wrong. I tried pizza at age 14, mac and cheese at 18 and I’ve always eaten French fries with a fork.

It’s not quite a compulsion, but it came from one many years ago, when I was a little girl trying to learn the difference between obsessive thoughts and normal ones as I mastered the ABCs. I never had to eat French fries a certain number of times or anything, but on vacation, I had to have my routine: plain pasta for dinner one night, French fries the next, because that was all I’d eat for dinner. At home, it was just pasta, but on vacation, I branched out. I still eat French fries with a fork.

I’m in my 20s now — and I’m successful, according to the benchmarks of American culture. I have a job, I live on my own and I can pick apart the thoughts that come through my head with relative ease after so many years of practice. It’s still a messy process, but I’ve gotten to the point where most days, I can toss away the obsessive thoughts I don’t want and choose others to harp on for hours. I like to choose my stories and whisk myself away to a world of my own imagination.

And yes, if you go out to dinner with me at a place with not many vegetarian entrees, I’ll still eat French fries with a fork. But there’s so much more to see and learn; Just like any person living with a mental health condition, I have a story that goes far beyond the things you can see, whether they’re big or little.

I hope the next time you see someone doing something a little bit strange, you’ll think of their story too.

December 15, 2022

By Michelle Cohen

12/08/2025

10 Common Warning Signs Of A Mental Health Condition

Learn common warning signs of a possible mental health condition in youth and young adults.-If you or a loved one is seeking mental health treatment or addit...

11/21/2025

If today was a hard day, we're here for you.

Call, text, or chat 988.

11/20/2025

NAMI Connection meets tonight 11/20 at Green Witch Cafe 6:00 pm.

11/19/2025

NAMI Connection meets at 6pm tomorrow 11/20 Witch Cafe in Highland.

11/18/2025

Understanding Your Diagnosis

Some people with mental health conditions experience relief and hope when they get a diagnosis. Others may feel like a diagnosis is “just words.” You may even feel several competing emotions at the same time—relief at having a name for the things bothering you, but fear and anger that you have...

11/05/2025

NAMI Lake County IN
NAMI created a special digital message wall during this season of thanksgiving where you can share what you’re grateful for this year. Your message will join others to help build a movement of gratitude during all the highs and lows of a mental health journey.
👇 ⬇️

Post yours: :

Share something you’re thankful! Together, we’ll start a movement of gratitude within our wonderful NAMI community.

10/30/2025

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KSwqdl0Q9F8&si=OBqV5fDaCjPc03AQ

The blues, listlessness, suicidal thoughts and the black dog, then suddenly, limitless energy, drive and bursts of creativity. Maarten Hemmen has bipolar dis...

10/30/2025

https://youtube.com/watch?v=awPP5YrVGyY&si=8VNJlH8eiC6sBnIj

✨ UNLOCK YOUR BRAIN'S FULL POTENTIAL! My free 2-minute quiz reveals your unique "Brain Operating System" and gives you a personalized guide to master your fo...

10/30/2025

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS! 🌿🧠

Coming May 2026 the 1st Nami Lake County Walk for Mental Health Awareness! 💚💚 💚

That’s right NAMI Lake County IN (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is hosting its very first Lake County Walk to raise awareness, break the stigma, and unite our community and show that no one walks alone in the journey toward mental health and healing.

🌱 We’re looking for:

💼 Sponsors

🛍️ Vendors

🤝 Nonprofits, business,

🙌 Volunteers

🧭 Committee Members

This is a community-wide effort, and we need ALL HANDS ON DECK to make this historic event a success!

If you or your organization would like to be part of this powerful movement, please reach out to:
Dominique Petrovic-Melendez
Mike Petrovic
Bertina Berry
Rebecca Poore-Carnagey
Deb Strain

💚 Together, we can make a difference. Let’s walk for hope, healing, and mental health awareness! 💚