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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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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How to Express Your Mental Health Advocacy (part 2: fully dressed)

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So you want to be a mental health advocate. You’re well informed about the issues. You have a passion to make a difference. You want your voice to be heard. You’re ready to take action. Now what? How can you express your mental health advocacy? There are many, many options. If this intro sounds strangely familiar, it should. In a recent post, I covered several ways to get your advocacy groove on while still at home and comfy in 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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How to Express Your Mental Health Advocacy (part 1: while in your jammies)

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So you want to be a mental health advocate. You’re well informed about the issues. You have a passion to make a difference. You want your voice to be heard. You’re ready to take action. Now what? How can you express your mental health advocacy? There are many, many options. There’s even a lot you can do from your couch at home while you’re still in your pajamas. Or there are other options that might require you to be fully dressed …

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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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10 Ways to Help Your Therapist Help You More

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You may already know that I’m a big fan of psychotherapy to treat mental health concerns and other personal and emotional challenges. In previous posts, I’ve discussed various aspects of the therapy process, including “How to Find a Good Psychotherapist,”“Psychotherapy Works!,”“20 Life-Changing Benefits of Psychotherapy,” and “10 Things You May Not Know About Your Therapist.” Now, let’s talk about some simple but important things you can do to help your therapist. Help your therapist? That’s right. By being more in …

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