Like most Americans, I'm saddened by the tragedy in Arizona this past weekend. I'm praying for families who have lost a loved one, and for those who are injured and healing. Also, I'm specifically … [Read more...]
Stages of Dealing: Transition
The day my son called and told me about his attempted suicide, followed by telling me that he had been diagnosed with a mental illness, I tried to maintain a "sunny attitude." Part of the charade was … [Read more...]
Book Review – Through the Storm
For readers looking for a sensational tell-all, Lynne Spears' Through the Storm, will be disappointing. I, too, was disappointed, but for different reason Through the Storm, subtitled A Real Story of … [Read more...]
Seeing the Illness
The first principle of support for NAMI family support groups is "We will see the individual first, not the illness."As family members it is easy to see the illness first because so much of our lives … [Read more...]
Did I Do This?
Often mental illness will first exhibit as behavior that seems a little strange: Talking to one's self, imaginary worlds, or staying away from other people. When this behavior occurs in a young adult, … [Read more...]
No More Guilt
“If you will just get out of your son’s life, he will be fine.” The words hit me right in the heart. Oh, I had plenty of people critique my parenting over the course of the five years … [Read more...]