“I Want to Share Your Stories of Hope”

Have you been personally affected by mental illness or a mental health concern? Would you like to share your story of your experiences, challenges, treatments and successes? If so, I would love to help you share your unique and personal story. I’ve been sharing such first-person accounts for some time now in my “Stories of Hope” series here on this blog. You will find dozens of true and inspiring stories of men and women from all over the world who …

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Living with Mental Illness Does Not Define Me

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Jacqueline Cioffa This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate and author Jacqueline Cioffa about her history of mental health challenges and about some of her current advocacy efforts. 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? JC: My initial …

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Your Time to Shine Will Happen

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Suzan Roberts-Skeats This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked Suzan Roberts-Skeats about her history of mental health challenges and about some of 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? SR-S: I guess I was aware I had …

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Learning to Enjoy the Present

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Theresa Larsen This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate and author Theresa Larsen about her son’s mental health challenges and their effect on the family. Here’s our interview: DS: Tell us about when you first started noticing concerns related to your son’s mental health. How did these issues continue to affect him and your family before he received treatment? TL: I first noticed something was …

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I Am Enough

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Brian Cuban This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate and author Brian Cuban about his history of mental health challenges and about some of his 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? BC: The first signal that …

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You Can Thrive in Your Recovery

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Rob Houston This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked Rob Houston about his history of mental health challenges and about some of his 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? RH: It was 1998. I had lost my job of 9 years; …

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Finding a Sense of Peace

Stories of Hope: An Interview with Suzy Favor Hamilton This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked Suzy Favor Hamilton, former Olympic athlete, best-selling author of “Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness,” and mental health advocate to share a little about her journey and how she’s doing today. Here’s our interview: DS: As we know, mental health issues don’t just emerge overnight. Tell us about when you first started becoming aware …

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