Month: December 2015

Let’s Resolve to Save a Life This Year

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As a new year starts, it’s a tradition for many of us to make resolutions about changes we want to make in the coming year. Usually, the top resolutions reflect personal health goals. Be more physically fit, lose weight, be less stressed, stop smoking, or drink less alcohol. Another big category is personal improvement. It seems we all want to get more organized, spend less (or save more) money, read more and learn something new. Then there are the fun …

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That’s a WRAP! How You Can Benefit from a Wellness Recovery Action Plan

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An incredibly useful tool for someone who is coping with a mental illness or other significant health challenges is the WRAP, or Wellness Recovery Action Plan. If you’re not already familiar with WRAP, you’re really missing out on a wonderful resource. Let’s review some of the basics about this very helpful approach. What is WRAP? The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is an effective, structured intervention created by educator and mental health advocate Mary Ellen Copeland. It was designed as a …

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Getting My Life Back from Psychosis

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Shannon Love This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and advocate Shannon Love about the struggles and triumphs of her personal journey. Here’s our interview: DS: When did you first start becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health? How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment? SL: I remember it all vividly. It was 2012, I was living in Beijing, …

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I Am A Voice and I Will Be Heard

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Rudy Caseres This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate Rudy Caseres about his personal journey and his thoughts about advocacy. Here’s our interview: DS: When did you first become aware of concerns related to your mental health? How did these issues affect you before you sought treatment? RC: I first started becoming aware around the time I was in junior high school. I was often …

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10 Priceless Gifts You Can Give to Someone with Mental Illness

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Looking for that perfect holiday, birthday, or any day gift? If someone you care about is facing challenges related to mental health issues or substance misuse, you can give them many wonderful gifts throughout the year that won’t cost you a dime. Consider these. 1)  Give the gift of assistance “Helping others isn’t a chore; it is one of the greatest gifts there is.” – Liya Kebede Lending a helping hand is such a wonderful gift. Offer to give someone a ride, run …

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