The day I turned in my master’s thesis, I woke up early. I curled my hair and applied a generous coat of makeup — even making time for contouring and setting spray. I posed for pictures with a school friend; we beamed, holding our freshly printed and bound 100-page docume...
Help Center Visit our Help Center to learn about and share knowledge on a variety of topics, including NAMI 360, membership management, the NAMI Convention, Helpline FAQ, class reporting and more. Learn More Welcome to the NAMI Hearts+Minds NAMInet! Here you wi...
I was diagnosed with bipolar II, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder at the age of 25. It’s hard for me to grasp that my official diagnosis was only two years ago because so much has transpired and changed since then.
A young client of mine was recently describing her struggles with low self-esteem. She doesn’t like the way she looks on the outside or who she believes she is on the inside. She doesn’t see any good qualities in herself, nor does she feel she has any purpose. She feels sh...
Contact your Senators today to thank them for their support for students with disabilities and ask that the final bill include provisions designed to ensure that students with disabilities, including mental health conditions, are given the opportunity to reach their full aca...
ABC's new series Black Box has caused a bit of controversy about its portrayal of mental illness. What did the show's creator have to say about it?
I have figured out a lot about myself by staring down my dark creature. I have learned my path in life and that I can be truly happy with myself.
When I started working at NAMI over seven years ago, I didn’t realize I would have a direct connection to NAMI’s mission. I have always worked in the education arena, and I simply wanted a job where I could use my skills to make a difference. My personal connection star...
I was recently inducted into a club I never wanted to be a part of — I call it the “Therapist’s Worst Nightmare Club” — losing a client to suicide. I have always felt the deep responsibility I bear as a therapist. During my career I’ve had to call in suspected abuse repo...
My work has always been personal. I am a first-generation college graduate and was raised on my Tribal homeland in the Navajo Nation. I have been working in the mental health and substance-use field for over 20 years. In this short time, so much has changed, yet the issues...
We are refugees. I had hardly understood the term when the Serbian military forced my family out of my country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1993. We lost everything we ever owned and loved, and had to place all our allowed belongings in one small suitcase. The United N...
Jump To: Episode <!-- Share --> Transcript Chrissy Barnard was repeatedly hospitalized and was never told that recovery was possible. It was only when she went to NAMI Connection in Duluth, Minn., that recovery was mentioned as an option. Chrissy began to...
I suffer from mental illness and all of its ugly and painful effects. My hope is to inspire others to come out and share their stories without fear.