In the News: Interviews of Glenn Close from the White House
MSNBC and CBS interviewed Glenn Close following her participation in the White House Conference on Mental Health Awareness on June 3, 2013. Read More »
News and Blog
Blog: Throwing out the Trash by Adrienne Gurman
If only I had been diagnosed and treated before everything snowballed into chronic, untreated depression and anxiety. But, times were different then and society didn’t have the resources, the tools, the words, the red flags and the awareness campaigns like we do today. I’m grateful I can live now under the careful watch of mental health professionals. Read More »
Blog: Dying of Kidney Disease by Cinda Johnson
This is unbelievable and yet horrifyingly true. ‘Jenny’ had been fighting her illness for almost half of her young life. Her foe was familiar yet still terrifying with its relentless and changing symptoms that reoccurred despite a long list of medical interventions. She had been through intense treatments with numerous side effects and a lengthy hospitalization when she was 11. Now, at 15, her illness was back with a vengeance. Read More »
In the News: BC2M Will Participate in the White House Conference on Mental Health
Bring Change 2 Mind is answering the President's call to launch a national conversation to increase the understanding and awareness about mental health by participating during the White House Mental Health Conference. Read More »
Blog: Letting Go of Fear by Adrienne Gurman
In my various conversations with people pertaining to depression and mental health in general, it’s come to my attention that stigma is not the only reason why those who are struggling with their emotions are reluctant to go for help or treatment – the reason is FEAR. Read More »
Blog: Making the “Ask” Together by Cinda Johnson
We all need a team of friends and family. In addition to raising money for NAMI and BC2M we walked with a team who “get it”. We walked with new friends and old who have been to the edge of hell with mental illnesses. Some have experienced great success, stability and recovery and some are living with unbearable heartbreak. Read More »
Blog: Why We Walk By Nanci Schiman
This past weekend our BC2M team took part in the Milwaukee NAMI walk for the 4 year in a row. It’s been a great experience, I love the Milwaukee NAMI staff members and the other walk teams; we’ve developed some great friendships and connections over the years. I’d like to share how these experiences have influenced my perspectives and strengthened my commitment to NAMI, BC2M and to supporting my family and all families affected by mental illness. Read More »
In the News: Glenn Close’s Family Sheds Light on Mental Illness Stigma
Calen Pick has Schizoaffective Disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He was 15 when he realized something was wrong, 16 when he checked himself into a lockdown mental health facility, 18 when he got out and 28 when his sanity touched down on solid ground. Read More »
Blog: High Time we Made a Stand by Adrienne Gurman
In case you haven’t heard, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While I’m a believer that we should be doing something all year long to raise awareness of mental health, illness, and treatment options, now is a great opportunity to use this month-long occasion to start a dialogue of your own. Even the briefest conversation can make a difference in someone’s perception of what mental health is all about. Read More »
Blog: Appearances Can Be Deceiving by Nanci Schiman
One of the contributing factors to the stigma of mental illness is that it’s often not readily visible. Whether we’ll admit it or not, we are a society that likes to see it to believe it. When was the last time you heard “but she doesn’t LOOK sick”? Or the converse “she looks SO depressed”. Read More »
Blog: Traveling by Jessie Close
We were in NYC to shoot a new PSA for BringChange2Mind. I’m excited to see the PSA. I’m excited for all of you to see it too! And I will be forever grateful for the huge crew who showed up to help us get the message out that stigma is NOT okay. Read More »
Walking Together by Cinda Johnson
There is hope and there is recovery in this journey with mental illness. There is strength in numbers and friends are made when people face adversity together. Join your local NAMI-BC2M Walk and find your team. It might be a sunny day but there are no guarantees. If not we will finish our walk anyway and we will finish it together. Read More »
Blog: Proactive or Protective? by Nanci Schiman
Why is it that in the 21st century, despite some very important and (reasonably) successful battles for equality, we still have painful inequalities and double standards? You’d think by now we’d be past this, but when it comes to illnesses, there is a huge chasm that needs to be closed. Read More »
Blog: Save it for Therapy by Adrienne Gurman
Since I began speaking openly about depression and anxiety, one of the greatest rewards has been the feedback from friends—and strangers—who’ve thanked me for helping them know they’re not alone with their struggles. When I hear that I’ve given them the words, vocabulary and confidence to talk about their own personal struggles, even those they’ve never shared before, I feel a sense of purpose I never knew existed. Read More »
Blog: Caring for the Caregiver by Nanci Schiman
In reality, acknowledging my humanity, reaching out, admitting to my ‘dark side’ helps not only me, but it helps others. For if I reach out, I’m giving others permission to do the same. And I’m giving my friends an opportunity to be helpful. I know that one of the best things I can do to feel better is to help others, share my experiences, and offer hope. Read More »
Blog: Relatives by Jessie Close
As a family, we have hashed out many things around this table where I’m sitting, one of the more dramatic being that I had to be admitted into a hospital for my bipolar disorder. This table also heard the conversation surrounding my son, Calen, and when he had to go to the hospital for what we didn’t yet know was his schizoaffective disorder. Read More »
Blog: Got Depression? Me Too by Adrienne Gurman
Last night I told one of my closest friends that I’ve hit a low point. It sounds strange, but to be able to say that to someone who gets it, and doesn’t try to talk me out of it, is truly priceless. She didn’t say, “but look at all of the good things in your life” or “you just need some rest.” She let me say it, without judgment, without grimacing, without telling me that she only wants good news from me, especially since I’ve been chock full of bad news lately. Read More »
Blog: Why is it so hard to take my own advice? by Nanci Schiman
It’s been a rough week. Mental illness has again reared its ugly head, this time in the form of a deep, insidious depression, lurking, creeping, stealthily wrapping its tentacles around my daughter, dragging her down, dimming her spark, holding her back from the things she enjoys. Read More »
News: The Painted Bird: Stigma and Mental Illness by Lloyd Sederer
At a moment when mental health is so much at the forefront of the minds of Americans and our media it seems time, again, to try to understand the damaging views so commonly held about people with mental illness. Read More »
Blog: Exorcise Exercise by Adrienne Gurman
Exercise and keeping in shape are key elements in the fight against depression. Maybe I’m just afraid to commit to a routine because if I don’t follow it, I’ll feel like I’ve failed. Just hearing the term “working out” causes me anxiety. It just makes me feel so pressured when someone asks “so where do you work out?” Read More »