Blog
NAMI Keystone PA’s Blog features personal stories, press releases, news articles, and other content that provides information, insight, personal experiences, and more.
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To Thrive Instead of Just Survive
Trigger Warning: The following content contains light discussion of sexual violence. Sometimes I just stare at the wall. Sometimes I just stare at the wall and find myself in the Land of Make Believe. I can run, play skip, and dance, and no one will look at me like I'm the C word (crazy)...
NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Approves Resolution Condemning Racism, Recognizes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
In recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania will be highlighting diverse experiences and perspectives to showcase how culture, race, and background impact mental health....
Recovery is Possible
I haven't always struggled with seasonal change, it wasn't until the age of 35 in late autumn that I had my first struggle with seasonal change and I attributed much of this to my loss of work during winter months. I was self-employed as a home remodeling contractor and my workload peaked during...
A Man Who Chooses To Tackle the Battle
Men and Mental Health used to sound like an oxymoron. When I grew up it was "boys don't cry," or "suck it up," or my favorite "stop acting like a little girl," as if girls were the only ones who experienced different emotions. Now, I'll agree that showing your emotions is a sign of weakness to...
Whittling the Chip on my Shoulder
I often reflect back on my initial diagnosis, relapse and how far I've come beating a path to recovery. We all know the stigma associated with mental health. Being a man, particularly in Marine Corps during my initial diagnosis, carries a little extra weight. I'm the oldest son, biggest brother...
I am simply a man who struggles with depression, simple as that. Wow.
An oversimplification of my journey through mental health would be to say that every defining moment has been shaped by some form of avoidance or denial. When I was very young my parents got divorced, my mother sent me to a children's counselor and I, as an eloquent 7 year old, insisted...
NAMI's Statement on Recent Racist Incidents
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today released the following statement from CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., regarding recent racist incidents across the country and their impact on mental health: "The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored...
Coronavirus on Smart Talk Thursday: Mental health providers face challenge treating from a distance and Pa to see some restrictions eased
"We're all in this together." That is a sentiment that we've heard often during the last two months as the coronavirus has changed our ways of life significantly. Staying at home, not being able to visit or even communicate with others, losing jobs, worrying about our finances...
Public Statement of Support for Statewide Initiative 'Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters'
On Thursday, Jan. 2, Governor Tom Wolf announced a focused multi-agency effort and anti-stigma campaign, 'Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters,' aimed at expanding resources and the state's comprehensive support of mental health and related health care priorities in Pennsylvania. The governor...