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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What I Wish You Knew About PTSD and Veterans
One of the biggest disconnects between civilians, and veterans and service members, is the myth that if we've been to war we have posttraumatic stress disorder. I understand how easy it would be to fall into that mindset; as often times, when veterans make headlines, especially national headlines...
Recovering Successfully: Five Steps to Follow
1. Determining what stage of recovery you are in. Many of those living with a mental health condition are in different stages of recovery. There are simply so many levels of recovery for every mental health condition out there. I live with bipolar, brief psychosis, and general anxiety disorder...
The Possible Impossible
Ever since I was young, I have always had a strange fascination with hospitals. While my parents hated hospitals because they reminded them of death and dying, I couldn't help but be amazed by how someone could come into the emergency room on the brink of dying, but walk out alive and well...
Nine Thoughts on Schizophrenia
1. Violence. I've been a consumer in the mental health system since 1997 and I've encountered about 3 people (all men), that have what we call 'The Violent streak.' Most people are just working hard at feeling well, and getting through the day in one piece. For some reason though, much of the...
Valley News Dispatch: Westmoreland Casemanagment and Supports Inc. offers mental health first aid class
Michel M. Keller is one in a million and she hopes you can be, too. More people should learn mental health first aid, said Keller, a staff development manager for Westmoreland Casemanagment and Supports Inc., which has offices in New Kensington, Greensburg and Monessen...
WQED-TV: Before Stage Four: Confronting Early Psychosis (Documentary)
First-time psychotic episodes are frightening, confusing and distressing for the entire family. Traditionally, teens and young adults experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) have been pulled out of school and/or society - only to begin a lifelong journey of spotty treatment, recurring episodes...
WQED-TV: Building a Future of Strong Mental Health
Dr. Spyridaki-Dodd explains how treating psychosis early, can help an individual lead a productive life. WQED Multimedia's "Living With Mental Illness" campaign is an ongoing commitment to explore various aspects of mental health, by examining specific diseases, interviewing experts and sharing...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Agencies help teens, families in behavioral health crisis
When parents discover their teenager is using drugs, or they find that a change in behavior is caused by depression, it's a crisis in the family. But there are often gaps in finding treatment that will lead to the young person being safe and in a stable condition. Problems can occur every step of...
WQED-TV: Medication & Treatment for FEP
In this webisode, Dr. Spyridaki-Dodd talks about why dealing with FEP involves a careful combination of medication and other forms of treatment. WQED Multimedia's "Living With Mental Illness" campaign is an ongoing commitment to explore various aspects of mental health, by examining specific...