David Susman

You Deserve to Be Happy

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with “L” This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked blogger and advocate “L” (who prefers to remain anonymous) about her mental health journey and her current 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? L: Looking back, I …

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Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Bridget Croteau This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and advocate Bridget Croteau about her mental health journey and her current 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? BC: I think soon after the birth of my …

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You Are Absolutely Worth It

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Michelle Balge This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author, web designer and advocate Michelle Balge about her mental health journey and her current 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? MB: I became aware of my mental illnesses …

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A Song of Recovery

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“If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” – Will Rogers This is a story about music, friendship, hope, and recovery. When I was growing up in a small town in the Appalachian mountains of southwestern Virginia, one of my best friends was Kevin McGraw. Kevin and I shared a common interest: music. We both played in the high school band and sang in the performing chorus, which was directed by Kevin’s mother, …

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Give Yourself Time to Heal

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Kimberly Ferguson This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and advocate Kimberly Ferguson about her mental health journey and her current 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? KF: The year was 1993. I was …

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Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

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I was fortunate to be able to talk recently with Lili Graue, a registered yoga teacher, who has started an innovative program using yoga techniques to address mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and trauma, to name a few. I asked Lili a few questions about how yoga is used in this way, its benefits, and about her program. Here’s our interview: DS: Most people have heard of yoga, but what is yoga for trauma? LG: Yoga for trauma is …

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We Cannot Grieve Alone

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Maryanne Pope This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and advocate Maryanne Pope about her mental health journey and her current 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? MP: My experience with mental health issues was …

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“Owning” Bipolar Disorder

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Recently I had a chance to review a new book called “Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can Take Control of Bipolar Disorder.” I found the book to be very interesting and a good resource. Subsequently, I was able to get some additional information from the book’s author, therapist Michael Pipich. I think you’ll find the conversation with Michael very interesting and illuminating. Why did you decide to focus on bipolar disorder? After over 30 years of therapy practice, I …

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