Blog
NAMI Keystone PA’s Blog features personal stories, press releases, news articles, and other content that provides information, insight, personal experiences, and more.
NAMI Admin
WQED-TV: Living with Mental Illness, Part 4 - Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe developmental brain disorder that interferes with a person's ability to think clearly. While it affects only about 1% of the population, it is a traumatic illness for individuals and their families. In this report, Dr. Michael Rancurello from the Allegheny Health Network...
This Is Our Mom
This brother and sister team created a beautiful video of their mom Mary Lou for the NAMIWalks. Their team, Mary Lou's Krew, is our top fundraising team of 2015. Take two minutes and watch the video now.
WQED-TV: Living with Mental Illness, Part 3 - Depression
People often say they're feeling depressed. But major depression is a serious illness which affects millions of people of all ages and all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. During this conversation, Dr. Gary Swanson from the Allegheny Health Network explains the symptoms of major...
WQED-TV: Living with Mental Illness, Part 2 - Bipolar Disorder
Bob Regis had a family, a solid career and a promising future ahead of him. That was until bipolar disorder derailed his life. In this story, Bob shares his personal battle with bipolar disorder, which is a mood disorder characterized by depressive lows and manic highs. He also explains how he...
My Second Chance
I was diagnosed with major depression at age 12, and then diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 14. I was prescribed a lot of medication, and high school wasn't easy for me. My family had a hard time understanding what I was going through. I wanted to drop out of high school at 16 but instead...
WQED-TV: Living with Mental Illness, Part 1 - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder affects about 2.2 million men and women in America (nimh.nih.gov). Experts say it tends to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, mainly because it takes years for people to get help. In this story, Dr. Alicia Kaplan from the Allegheny Health Network explains the...
A Lesson on Failure
What is it about failure that makes life complicated? Is it the fear of failing? Is it letting others down? Is it feeling like you're wasting time or talent? Is it feeling like you don't have all the answers? Is it feeling depressed and not being able to get out of bed every day? Perhaps it is a...
Michelle Wright and Hundreds of Advocates Kick Off the 9th Annual NAMIWalks Season
NAMIWalks Honorary Chair Michelle Wright, WTAE-TV News Anchor, will kick off the 9th Annual NAMIWalks at a lunchtime event on Thursday. Michelle will join 200 southwestern Pennsylvanians at the Sheraton Station Square to launch the 2015 NAMIWalks season and promote awareness of mental illness...
My Brother's Battle
My brother Douglas James Lohman, born July 31, 1989, passed away unexpectedly this past October after fighting a grueling battle with mental illness. By sharing his unique and difficult journey, my family and I hope to spread awareness, provide support and break the stigma associated with mental...