My name is Daryl Riley. I was born and raised in the small town of Littlerock, California, and have lived in Los Angeles County most of my life. I have also lived in New York and Seattle. I have been fortunate enough to travel abroad visiting Japan for a conference on mental health issues. I graduated from high school in 1990. I have a beautiful daughter who was born in 1991. I graduated from trade school in 2000 with a certificate for networking technology shortly after returning home from New York.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at age 29. In 2001 I was working at a financial services company doing data entry. That's when my whole life fell apart. It started with a small dose of depression and soon escalated to racing thoughts, then not being in control of my thoughts at all. The depression worsened until suicide was the only solution that seemed reasonable. After several failed suicide attempts and going in and out of psychiatric hospitals I finally was put on a medication that helped me to become stable. Living life with the symptoms of a mental illness has been very challenging to say the least. I have found that through practicing spirituality, taking medications and exercising, I have been able to keep my symptoms at a minimum.

In 2003 I began participating in a client run center in Palmdale, California. That's when my recovery truly began. I started attending self-help support groups which I found very helpful. I made connections with others and did not feel so alone in having a mental illness. Shortly after I began attending the client run center I started volunteering there also. I was finally hired as a program assistant. I held this position for three years until being promoted to program manager, which I served as until 2008 when the program was shut down due to budget cuts. After that, I was hired for the position of peer advocate at a wellness center in Los Angeles. Working as a peer advocate and helping mental health clients brings great fulfillment to my life. I have found that being able to help other mental health consumers is the best way for me to give back from the experiences I have been through and brings me great satisfaction. I also understand that having a healthy social life is a big part of recovery. I think it is important to treat the whole person; body, mind and spirit. I thank God that I have been able to overcome great obstacles in my life and today lead a relatively normal life. The same is possible for you!

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