Photo by Niamh Coomey
Independent thinker, cat lover, poet and aspiring motivational speaker are all words Maureen Mitchell would use to describe herself. And, as a writer, words are everything to Maureen. A Mustard Seed Mountain vendor and contributor, Maureen is passionate about sharing her story and uplifting those who struggle with mental illness.
Maureen’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. She began experiencing severe symptoms of Bipolar Disorder when she reached college, and spent time in and out of psychiatric institutions. It took her several years to truly accept her diagnosis, Maureen said. For her, writing has become a way to manage her illness and learn to love herself.
When Maureen isn’t vending, she’s often at home or the Ohio County Public Library, hard at work on her autobiography. She is titling her life story ‘PLEH’ or “HELP spelled backwards,” she explains. The work covers the different periods of her life, from childhood to early adulthood and her diagnosis, to her later years. She discusses the feeling of being trapped in her body; in her life, and the struggles she has overcome.
Maureen’s love of words can be traced back to her days in 4H as a young girl, where she began writing for the club’s newsletter. She went on to study English and Communications at Bethany College.
However, college is also where Maureen experienced her first manic episode, a life changing moment Maureen writes about in her book. After wandering campus for several hours, Maureen was taken into a psychiatric hospital. When she awoke alone, shackled to a bed, Maureen had “a thousand questions.” It was at that moment that she made the decision to do everything in her power to “regain and maintain her health.”
“They say there’s three things that help a person with mental illness: you take medication, you see a therapist and you have coping skills,” Maureen said. “Some of my coping skills include listening to music, writing, journaling and being a secretary for NAMI.”
Wheeling’s NAMI chapter, particularly the Marian House Drop-In Center on Chapline Street, has been a huge source of community and inspiration for Maureen. The drop in center offers support for adults with mental illnesses through art classes, group activities and by simply being a place to spend down time with peers. Maureen speaks highly of the center and the friendships she has formed there over the last almost fifteen years.
Maureen became a vendor earlier this year, and has quickly become an easily recognizable friendly face among readers. For her, vending has been a way to work towards her dreams. Someday, she hopes to have saved enough to purchase a vehicle.
“Mustard Seed Mountain has provided me with a platform and it’s given me a chance to earn money towards my long-term goals which are traveling, motivational speaking and hopefully the publication of my book,” Maureen said.
Maureen is the sole vendor in the Warwood subdivision of Wheeling - she can often be found vending at local churches or The Cheese Melt Bar & Grill. When not in Warwood, you can catch Maureen at the drop in center on Chapline Street.