Jeremy Hay, a staff writer at The Press Democrat and a Guild member, shares his struggle with a mental disorder, and notes the positive role of a union contract which provided support amid his challenges with severe mental illness.

“Imagine not having the personal support I have: the rudimentary working knowledge of the health care system; the inclination or ability to negotiate that system; the employer willing and able to work with me while I struggled; the union contract that installed a net of protections I was able to rely on. All those things meshed to carry me through to a safe shore. I can’t imagine how hard it is or would be for others not so blessed.”

Check for the full story here.

Follow Jeremy on twitter @jeremyhay