Stories of Hope

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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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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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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It All Starts with Love and Listening

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Rebecca Schaper This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate, filmmaker and author Rebecca Schaper about her family’s mental health journey and her chronicle of their journey in her documentary and book. Here’s our interview: DS: You’ve done both a documentary (“A Sister’s Call”) and a companion book (“The Light in His Soul: Lessons From My Brother’s Schizophrenia) about your …

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Your Life Awaits You

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Stephanie Anne Allen This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate Stephanie Anne Allen about her mental health journey and 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? SA: I was first diagnosed …

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Accept Who We Are in This Moment

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Mike Stroh This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate and graduate student Mike Stroh about his mental health journey and his 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? MS: I …

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I Have So Much to Live For

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Julia Stabler This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate and stylist Julia Stabler (pictured with her niece) 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? …

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One Person’s Story Can Save Another Person’s Life

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Brett Francis This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked mental health advocate, author and radio host Brett Francis about her mental health journey and her current activities. Here’s our interview: DS: When did you first start becoming aware of concerns related to your mental health and how did that affect you before you sought treatment? BF: I was diagnosed at age …

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