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
Fighting a War in My Head
I was diagnosed in high school with depression and anxiety then later in life diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Looking back on my childhood, I can see the ways I was struggling then and the unhealthy coping skills I learned. Being diagnosed helped in some ways because it gave me a...
Get Up
Darrin Mosley Jr. is a York native who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Slippery Rock University. Darrin, who majored in Dance and minored in Theater, can be found in various theater productions around Pittsburgh. Darrin also enjoys teaching the love of dance and performing to Pittsburgh youth.
To Thrive Instead of Just Survive
Trigger Warning: The following content contains light discussion of sexual violence. Sometimes I just stare at the wall. Sometimes I just stare at the wall and find myself in the Land of Make Believe. I can run, play skip, and dance, and no one will look at me like I'm the C word (crazy)...
Recovery is Possible
I haven't always struggled with seasonal change, it wasn't until the age of 35 in late autumn that I had my first struggle with seasonal change and I attributed much of this to my loss of work during winter months. I was self-employed as a home remodeling contractor and my workload peaked during...
A Man Who Chooses To Tackle the Battle
Men and Mental Health used to sound like an oxymoron. When I grew up it was "boys don't cry," or "suck it up," or my favorite "stop acting like a little girl," as if girls were the only ones who experienced different emotions. Now, I'll agree that showing your emotions is a sign of weakness to...
Whittling the Chip on my Shoulder
I often reflect back on my initial diagnosis, relapse and how far I've come beating a path to recovery. We all know the stigma associated with mental health. Being a man, particularly in Marine Corps during my initial diagnosis, carries a little extra weight. I'm the oldest son, biggest brother...
I am simply a man who struggles with depression, simple as that. Wow.
An oversimplification of my journey through mental health would be to say that every defining moment has been shaped by some form of avoidance or denial. When I was very young my parents got divorced, my mother sent me to a children's counselor and I, as an eloquent 7 year old, insisted...
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...