What I Consider Fundamentally “Me” Sara Hale; Maidsville, WV In total for your whole lifetime, about how long have you taken prescribed psychiatric medications? More than 10 years Are you currently taking any prescribed psychiatric medications? No In what ways have you found psychiatric medication(s) helpful, if any? When my emotions, physical symptoms, and thoughts…
Peel Back the Layers to Find Who You Are Leslie Brewer; Auburn, CA What were some of the main cause of your mental health or emotional problems? Hiding symptoms for years because of the stigma. In what ways have you found psychiatric medication(s) helpful, if any? With the right balance I could cope and work…
Find the People Who Have Got Better and Learn From Them Fred Abbe; Reedsport, OR To the best of your knowledge, have you ever been given a psychiatric diagnosis? Yes; Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Manic Deppresive Are you currently taking any prescribed psychiatric medications? No About how long has it been since the last time you took…
Much Better and Faster at Getting Through It Irit Shimrat; Vancouver, British Columbia If you have ever received a hopeless message that your recovery from a mental health or emotional problem was unlikely, what was the source of that message? Mental health service providers, and the media. Has a mental health provider ever told you…
Numbness Never Gives You Meaning or Hope By Peter During your mental health care, have you often felt hopeful about your chance of getting better? Yes. I read accounts of people who have recovered after being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. My own experience on medication seemed hopeless, but I was determined not to give up, and…
An Advocate and Leader in My Community Mary Angus; Omaha, NE Has a mental health provider ever told you that you could reach a personal goal despite your psychiatric diagnosis? I went back to college after quitting 6 years prior at the suggestion of a psych nurse during my first hospitalization. I completed my bachelor’s…
The Person I’m in the Process of Becoming Patricia Lindquist; Elgin, IL If you overcame hopelessness that you could get better from a mental health or emotional problem, was there a turning point for you? Yes, I was in the hospital and one day during group they showed the video of Mary Ellen Copeland and…
Steps Towards Healing and Wholeness Anne Costa; Baldwinsville, NY During your mental health care, have you often felt hopeful about your chance of getting better? Before I left the hospital, the psychiatrist told me that I would “be back to myself” again within a few weeks’ time. He gave me hope and an expectation even…
The Biggest Challenges Can Provide the Brightest Lights Carole Hayes Collier; Syracuse, NY Has a mental health provider ever told you that you could reach a personal goal despite your psychiatric diagnosis (for example, education, career, independenthousing, relationship, children, etc.)? Yes. A great counselor I had let me be in the lead and I would…
Living Life to the Best of Your Ability Tom Kelly; Tempe, AZ During your mental health care, have you often felt hopeful about your chance of getting better? At first I didn’t see any hope. I was in a few different hospitals in the eastern part of the country and wasn’t given any follow-up care…