Joseph Badiali knows how hard life can be when you don’t have hope. During high school he lived in Hayward at his grandmother’s house. He has fond memories of living there but it was also a time when he experienced a mental health crisis and at twenty years old found himself arrested and in the criminal justice system for ten years. The turn of events took Joseph on a journey that led to him being diagnosed as Bi-Polar I and connecting with a vast array of mental health supports offered in Alameda County.

Prior to his arrest Joseph says he suffered with the worst of symptoms and struggled to make the hard transition to recovery and participating in mental health treatment services. However, motivated for change Joseph developed goals and took steps to put in the work for the personal growth he needed to stay on his recovery path.

He was trying to find himself in a busy world, find the right balance of medications and the patience to get better. Joseph joined the POCC, participated in support groups and focused on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. He’s a huge advocate for having goals and staying with simple steps to achieve them.

Joseph seeks out moments for deep reflection and meditates to take care of his inner wellness. He now understands what’s happening when his symptoms appear and staying goal oriented is a key factor in his wellness. He pays attention to his thinking process and often asks, “how do I feel when I’m well or when I’m not well?” Being honest with himself is also important in maintaining his recovery.

Always a helpful person who pours into others he’s learned to prioritize his needs. Joseph feels he’s been given a second chance, and an opportunity to learn how to manage his mental and physical health better. He says, “Prioritize yourself, be at your best for yourself,” along with, “trust the process and get your rest.”

Joseph likes to have fun when meeting challenges and spends time in nature and healing spaces. He says he feels better understanding the human experience. He’s in college studying healthcare data science and holistic wellness practices. He wants to use technology to help people who are at the bottom and facing challenges. Joseph is happier now, has awareness and clarity into his life, his energy flows better and he values himself. He looks forward to helping others with a message of hope.