Advocating for Better Mental Health
David Susman, PhD
I drive to and from work several days per week and I have well over a half million miles as a driver under my belt since learning to drive as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve certainly seen my share of both good and bad driving behaviors. And yes, I’ve been in a handful of minor fender-benders (and that one time when I almost drove up under an eighteen-wheeler on the interstate). Lately, for whatever reason, I’ve become more aware …
Stories of Hope: An Interview with Rebecca Lombardo This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author, blogger, and mental health advocate Rebecca Lombardo about her history of mental health challenges and about some of her current advocacy activities. Here’s our interview: DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment? RL: I started …
Stories of Hope: An Interview with Rebecca Chamaa This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and blogger Rebecca Chamaa about her history of mental health challenges and about some of her current advocacy work. Here’s our interview: DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment? RC: For several years in my …
When we think about setting personal goals, they’re usually in two categories. The first category of personal goals is to “start doing something positive.” These might look like: Lose weight Exercise more Read more non-fiction Get a pet Find more time for friends and family The second category of personal goals is to “stop doing something negative.” This list might include: Quit eating high-fat foods Stop using nicotine Reduce alcohol use Decrease stress Waste less time online You might assume …
Stories of Hope: An Interview with Brittany Burgunder This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and mental health advocate Brittany Burgunder about her history of mental health challenges, her memoir and about some of her current advocacy activities. Here’s our interview: DS: Tell us about your childhood and when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to eating. How did these issues develop over time before you sought treatment? BB: From the …
The situation is a familiar one. You’re not feeling well, so you go to your doctor or other health care provider. You explain your symptoms and concerns. Then the doctor offers you their opinion about your condition, prescribes medication, or provides other treatment recommendations. You thank them for their time and leave the office with hopes of feeling better soon. What’s missing in this scenario? Perhaps you weren’t listening closely when your doctor gave you feedback and you didn’t fully absorb …
Your car needs an engine to run, but without wheels, gas, and a driver you won’t get anywhere. The engine is necessary but not sufficient for the car to operate successfully. Your body needs lungs to breathe, but without a heart, brain and other organs you won’t survive. Your lungs are necessary but not sufficient for you to live. An Olympic athlete needs to practice their sport, but if they don’t show up and perform at the meet, they can’t …
Stories of Hope: An Interview with Ellie Herman This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked graduate student and mental health advocate Ellie Herman about her history of mental health challenges and about some of her current activities and future plans. Here’s our interview: DS: Tell us about when you first started becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health. How did these issues continue to affect you before you sought treatment? EH: I’ve always put a …