Times are scary. Revolution and protest are daily parts of our lives. Fifty years ago, at Stonewall Inn, a revolution and protest would change the course of history when young LGBTQ people spoke up about their oppression. Twenty years ago, The Trevor Project would take the fi...
I was very young when I experienced my first break from reality. I remember hearing voices and seeing shadows everywhere I went... As a child, I was confused and scared of the hallucinations I was experiencing.
Some people believe that focusing on fighting stigma is a worthless cause. They wonder why NAMI pushes our StigmaFree campaign so much. Why does being StigmaFree matter? What difference does it really make? Because of stigma, those who experience mental illness are o...
If you live with depression, you’ve likely been advised to seek time in nature (just one of many activities proven to boost emotional well-being ). As a professional fisherman of over two decades — and as someone who has encountered mental health challenges in the past — ...
As I made my final preparations for DragonCon this year, it took me a while to decide which of my hand-painted face masks to wear. I meticulously prepared masks that protected me from COVID, but there was one kind of mask I couldn't wait to shed. Pretending to be neuroty...
Over the years, no one has spoken to, or inspired, more NAMI gatherings than Fred. He was the first of a generation of people living with schizophrenia who showed tremendous courage in self-identifying and speaking in public about his illness.
In this Ask the Expert webinar, our experts discuss enhancing immune health to build resiliency through an innovative, preventative health program. Gain valuable insights from real-life stories, self-care and wellness skills and actionable strategies that can help improve your...
For the third straight year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is giving its employees a paid “Rest Up Week” from July 3–7, 2023, to support their self-care and promote workplace wellness. Rest Up Week emphasizes the importance of mental health in the workplace, s...
After a crisis , recovery can be challenging. Our lives are left in turmoil caused by the stressful situation we just managed to overcome. With the worst behind us, we have to pick up the pieces. But unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for how to take steps...
As mental health counselors, we often strive to help clients build insight into their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Identifying patterns and increasing understanding can equip clients with the tools they need to develop actionable solutions and make informed decisions...
Anosognosia is when someone is unaware of their own mental illness or when they can’t perceive their symptoms accurately.
People with mental illness experience a wide range of emotions. My caregiver and I were not prepared for the emotional onslaught my bipolar triggered. For me, the three most prominent emotions were anger, lack of self-worth and, eventually, hope. They reflect my evolution...
CIT for Youth programs teach law enforcement officers to connect young people who need help to effective services and supports in their community by training officers about adolescent brain development and how mental health symptoms present in youth.
NAMI publishes reports on critical, emerging issues to help inform the public about the importance of effective mental health policy.
Racism and anti-Black attitudes have been existent in this country for hundreds of years despite the ongoing efforts of Black people and allies to raise awareness of the determinantal impact that racism has had on society. The trauma that Black people have faced in this count...
I have a dark side that I don’t let many people see. When I got treatment, it was life altering. I could finally see through the fog. It’s not a weakness to ask for help.
I have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. DID is an extremely complex psychological disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities that repeatedly take control over my behavior. I like to refer t...