David Susman

Stress and Mental Health Concerns Escalating Due to COVID

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The COVID-19 pandemic has created stress on many levels, from disruptions to schools, travel and the economy, financial hardship and loss of employment, and all of the massive public health impact from the physical effects of the virus itself. Recent data from two large surveys confirm these escalating stresses and also point to rapidly increasing mental health concerns. Here’s a quick review of this important information. APA – Stress in America The American Psychological Association (full disclosure: I’m a member) …

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You Are Not Damaged

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Lisa Kohn This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and advocate Lisa Kohn about her journey. 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? LK: “The best seats I ever had at Madison Square Garden were …

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You Are on Earth for a Purpose

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Tali Normoyle This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked student and advocate Tali Normoyle about her journey. 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? TN: I was raised in a conservative Christian home in which psychology …

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October Mental Health Awareness Events

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The month of October may be best known for Halloween, but there are also several great mental health awareness events during the month that you should know about. Here’s a quick rundown of these October awareness events, with links so you can learn more and get involved. Mental Illness Awareness Week Established by the US Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), this event occurs every year during the first full week of October. …

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It Is Okay to Not Be Okay

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Dollan Cummings This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked college student Dollan Cummings about his journey. 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?   DC: I struggled with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression and anxiety as …

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Coping with COVID in Faith Communities

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I was fortunate to be part of an online panel discussion provided to over 100 ministers throughout my state. This educational program focused on how clergy and faith communities can better cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Also on the panel were two physicians, a hospital chaplain, and a theologian. Prior to the program, the clergy completed an online survey about how the pandemic has affected them and their ministries. Not surprisingly, most said the pandemic has been quite stressful …

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Civic Engagement for People with Mental Health Challenges

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I’ve written a lot about different ways to get involved in advocacy, particularly mental health advocacy. So I was intrigued when I recently came across a resource called “Mental Health and Wellness Through Civic Participation: Why Your Opinion Matters.” This guide, published by the Temple University Collaborative On Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities, discusses several ways for people with mental health challenges to get involved in civic engagement and it outlines the significant benefits of these activities. Let’s …

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“Coping During COVID” – MHA Back to School Toolkit 2020

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It’s back to school time for kids of all ages. But “back to school” looks very different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some schools and colleges are open for in-person instruction, many are using completely online learning formats or a hybrid of online and in-person instruction. Even if we weren’t in a pandemic, we know that going back to school can be stressful. Transitions can be tough both for the first-time preschooler as well as the new …

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