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 concrete reason as [...]
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). [...]
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 spring, summer and [...]
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 predators [...]
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 and head of the household. I grew up playing and [...]
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 that I [...]
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. The disparity in access to mental health [...]
The loneliness of indefinite isolation. The anxiety of possible contagion. The stress of financial uncertainty. With no return to normality in sight, mental health professionals say the new coronavirus is taking a toll on the collective mental health of those across the nation, including Berks County... Read More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) through a generous grant from an anonymous donor is providing full scholarships to at least 25 NAMI members wishing to participate in the 2020 NAMI National Convention (NAMICon) who would be unable to attend due to travel costs or financial hardship... READ MORE
We know many of our community members are concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This time can be especially stressful for those living with mental health conditions, as well as their family members and loved ones. Consider these tips from NAMI: READ MORE
