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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“A Good Pun Is Its Own Reword”: Health Benefits of Humor & Laughter

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“How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?” One, but the light bulb has to want to change.” It’s likely you’ve heard that old joke before, but it still brings a smile or a chuckle. In recent months, perhaps as a coping or self-care strategy during the pandemic, I’ve gotten a lot of comfort and enjoyment from reading silly jokes and watching funny TV programs and movies, even if I’ve already seen them a few times before. …

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10 Things You May Not Know About NAMI’s Family to Family Program

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Not long ago, my wife and I attended the “Family to Family” program offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The program is a class which is targeted to help family, significant others and friends of people with a mental health condition. Taking this class had been our bucket list for several years. I’ve heard more than a few people say they found the program “life-changing,” so we were very intrigued to see what the program was all …

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We Must Take Care of the Body, Mind & Spirit

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Tim Davis This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked triathlete and teacher Tim Davis about his journey and his recent memoir. 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? TD: I first became aware that I might …

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11 Public Figures Who Are Changing the Conversation About Mental Illness

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Talking openly about having a mental illness is still very difficult. Coming forward takes courage as the stigma and discrimination surrounding these conditions remains widespread. When a high-profile public figure or celebrity speaks up about their mental health struggles and encourages mental health treatment, it can raise awareness on a wider scale and send the message that it’s okay to ask for help. There are a growing number of well-known individuals who have become outspoken advocates to promote mental health …

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Advocating for BIPOC Mental Health

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Bebe Moore Campbell (1950 – 2006) was an African-American author, journalist and teacher. Her bestselling works of fiction often depicted the harmful impact of racism on individuals and their relationships. She was also a groundbreaking mental health advocate. Her Wikipedia entry includes: Campbell’s interest in mental health was the catalyst for her first children’s book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, which was published in September 2003. This book won the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Outstanding Literature Award for 2003. The …

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Don’t Give Up Until the Miracle Happens

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Stories of Hope: An Interview with Hope Andersen This is part of a series featuring individuals who share their life experiences with mental health issues. Recently, I asked author and online coach Hope Andersen about her 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? HA: My awareness of my mental illness …

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