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 Blog
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...
NAMI Issues Statement Regarding President Trumps Comments on Re-Institutionalizing People with Mental Illness
Yesterday, President Trump revisited his statements about reopening mental "institutions" and perpetuated false stereotypes. Two weeks ago, the president also called people with mental illness "monsters." In response, National Alliance on Mental Illness Acting CEO Angela Kimball released...
Black History Month Mental Health Feature: Charma D. Dudley, PhD, FPPR
February is Black History Month and many of us take time during this period to reflect on the achievements, as well as the struggles and pain, that black people have experienced in America. Although many things have changed in our society, African Americans and people of color still face racism...
Your Differences Are Your Superpowers
My name is Nick and I was born and raised in Bucks County, PA and attended college in Boston. I was and am always afraid that my technically invisible mental health diagnoses will be visible to those I meet, and worry that I will be judged on things that people can't see and that I can't control...
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Releases New Report on Childhood Trauma
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new report, Helping Children and Youth Who Have Traumatic Experiences. The report shows that nearly half of the nation's children have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Children and...
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...