You Are Not Alone: On Grief, Guilt, Tough Choices…and Hope (Ep. 47)

Show Notes

Just the Moms, addressing Q’s and giving updates

We talk about:

• Our recent advocacy (legislation and keynote speeches)

• SEARCH: what families need (Support, Education, Acceptance, Respect, Communication Skills, Hope)

• Updates 

• …and address e-mails and facebook comments like

Will I ever feel "normal" again? The grief and anger still take my breath away some days. I'm sorry to vent. I will start listening to the podcasts soon. Thank you!

How do you all prepare for when your sons get discharged from the hospital but you can tell they aren’t stable yet? I’ve listened to a ton of your podcasts and they are so enlightening- but I’d be interested to hear more of the technical details of transitioning a loved one out of or into the hospital and out of/into group homes for someone not yet familiar with navigating the patchwork of mental health services. 

What would we tell providers if we could?

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10848598

An Emotional Response to the Hearing Voices Network: Anti-Medication ? (ep 46)

Show Notes

Guest:Freddie de Boer

On May 17th, the NY Times Magazine published an article by Daniel Bergner, based on his book The Mind and the Moon. 

The article reports on psychosis , from the point of view of Caroline, who is beset by the hallucinations of psychosis. 

Daniel Bergner explores how to seek a deeper engagement with ourselves and one another—and how to find a better path toward caring for our minds.

Or - does he leave out a huge piece of the picture?

So many comments about the article, which seemed biased toward the Hearing Voices Network. One such response, from Freddie deBoer, has generated over 7,000 YouTube views so far.

Links:

NYTimes article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/magazine/antipsychotic-medications-mental-health.html

Freddie deBoer’s response:

https://youtu.be/yKB6F_VYuZY

https://freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/my-response-to-daniel-bergners-new?s=r

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10705211

Mental Health Crisis on Campus: Steps to Student Support (Episode 45)

Show Notes

According to NAMI, there is an undeniable and growing mental health crisis that demands both attention and action. 

Covid-19 has only made things worse.

Nearly 2 in 5 adults struggled with mental health issues in 2020, compared to about 1 in 5 adults before the pandemic. Among adults with mental illness, only 46% received treatment in 2020, a number that is far lower among Black Americans (37%), Hispanic/Latinx (35%) and Asian Americans (21%).

The crisis is especially acute among youth and young adults, as trends that had already predated the pandemic have turned even more ominous. 

In 2020, 75% of people aged 18–24 reported at least one mental health or substance use concern. 

In 2021, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher among adolescent girls than in 2020.

Today's guests are working to make things better for their fellow students who have mental illness issues.

They are Mindy’s cousin's daughter, Claire Orth, who just graduated from the University of North Dakota, and Taylor Keane, her granddaughter, who will graduate from high school in Washington D.C. in two weeks. 

1.Please introduce yourself and share how you became interested in mental illness.

2. What do you see on your respective campuses so far as fellow students experiencing mental illnesses? Could you give a specific example?

3. How have those observations/experiences inspired you to help? (Claire took some training at her school so she could better help fellow students and chose schizophrenia for her senior capstone projects. Taylor also chose mental illness for a school project and for her Youth In Government legislation. She's currently doing an internship at the Treatment Advocacy Center where she is focusing on youth.)

4. All of us wrote in our books about missing early signs of our sons' illnesses. Do you think your friends' parents today are doing any better? 

5. What would you say to parents whose children are in high school or college and experiencing signs of mental illness? 

6. Are your friends aware that young people who smoke marijuana are five times more likely to have psychosis? 

7. Have you noticed anything that your schools have done that have helped students? Is mental illness part of the curriculum? School support staff?

Links:

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10674926

Mental Illness and Faith - How Can Clergy and Congregations Help? (Episode 44)

Show Notes

When Mental Illness happens, it happens to the whole family.

 Do families turn to their houses of faith for help ? And if they do, what happens?

We explore this in Episode 44-    with 3 moms, one Rabbi and one Pastor. It doesn’t cover all faiths, of course, but it’s a start.

Guests: Rabbi Evan Schultz, Congregation B’Nai Israel, Connecticut

Rev. Mariah Furness Tollgaard, Pastor

Questions:

• Are you aware, as a faith leader, about mental health issues (especially SMI) in your congregants?

• What does your faith say about SMI?

• How do you, as a faith leader, respond to families dealing with mental illness?

• Is learning about Mental Illness part of your training?

• What part does stigma play in talking openly about SMI? - is it taboo to talk about it?

• How can we as activists/advocates help faith leaders serve their constituents?

According to Research (lifeway.inc):

• Only a quarter of churches (27 percent) have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness according to pastors. And only 21 percent of family members are aware of a plan in their church.

• Few churches (14 percent) have a counselor skilled in mental illness on staff, or train leaders how to recognize mental illness (13 percent) according to pastors.

• Two-thirds of pastors (68 percent) say their church maintains a list of local mental health resources for church members. But few families (28 percent) are aware those resources exist.

• Family members (65 percent) and those with mental illness (59 percent) want their church to talk openly about mental illness, so the topic will not be a taboo. But 66 percent of pastors speak to their church once a year or less on the subject.

Links:

NAMI FaithNet

Guide for Faith Leaders from psychiatry.org

Yom Kippur Sermon re mental illness

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10609958

Family Support Services - Where Can We Find Help?

Show Notes

We all agree (and letters and comments confirm) - the family feels lost. Doesn’t know what to do, where to turn, to get help with:

Finding options and services

Sorting through them

Place to vent and share/run through ideas

Our guest today provides that kind of help, and she is here today to share some tips with us. 

Guest, Bonnie Lane, (from Chicago area) 

For more than two decades, Bonnie has worked privately with families dealing with mental health issues. She has counseled individuals and families as  they successfully navigate the maze of care and resources available for young and older adults.  Helping families in times of crisis is her mission and her passion.  - The mission? - SUPPORT. 

 Bonnie will support you on your road to acceptance of the new normal. 

• Why does the family feel so stuck and unsupported? (and need services like yours)?

• Do you have a personal story that led you to do this work?

• What are the top areas of need? (legal? social services - benefits etc? emotional help for family?)

• What are the top tips you can share with our listeners to get the information, ideas, and support they need?

• Re your services:How much does it cost?

• Are you aware of other companies like yours in your  area or other areas? 

•  Does any insurance cover your services and if so do you  take MA? 

• What you do sounds important and needed, but is it only available for those with financial resources? 

Links:

https://thefamilysupportservices.com/

Here's the YouTube link for the CATCH presentation. 

CATCH L and L - Creating a Game Plan

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

 https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10528523

Growing Up Too Fast: When Your Parent has Serious Mental Illness

Show Notes

Guests: Karen Comba, author of The Snipers We Couldn't See: A Memoir of Growing Up with My Mother's Schizophrenia

And Christina Lord, mental health advocate (Canada) daughter of a dad with SZ, 

First, your stories.

How has the experience impacted you (Karen writes about life “with footprints on her back”)

How did writing or sharing about it help? Or did it?

How did your experience- and the unpacking of it - inform the work you now do?

What do you most want other children of parents with SZ to know?

What do you want others to know - teachers, practitioners, other adults in a child-of’s life?

How to find happier places for your mind?

Links:
https://christinalord.ca/
https://www.karencomba.com/

Books we mention: (besides our own, Ben Behind His Voices, He Came In With It, and Fix what You Can)

She's Not Herself, by Linda Appleman Shapiro (formerly published as Four Rooms Upstairs)

I'm Not Alone: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness, by Michelle D. Sherman

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10444968

Homelessness and SMI: Transforming the American mental health system through radical hospitality.

Show Notes

Problem: Getting our  Homeless off the Streets and into Housing

Many of our seriously mentally ill wind up in jail, dead, or homeless.

It doesn’t have to be that way - and solutions in places like Trieste, Italy can show us the way, Heart Forward.

Meet Kerry Morrison, and discover a cost-effective, empathetic solution that lives up to “The human right to a sense of purpose.” 

Can a transformative care strategy, tested and proven in Trieste, Italy, work in Los Angeles, California?

• We hear you.

• We see you.

• You are safe here.

• Your voice matters.

Resources and links:

www.accoglienza.us.  

https://www.heartforwardla.org/podcast-season-1

https://www.heartforwardla.org/

Episode of Kerry’s podcast  with Dr. Roberto Mezzina:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1283882/8741627 

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?
Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms
@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10310858

Ask the Moms: We Answer Listener Questions in Our First Live Episode!

Show Notes

We invited listeners to come on board for this episode, for some Q and A, and wow did they come through!

This is one of our most powerful shows ever, thanks to you. Yes, if you want, we will do this again.

We discuss:
how we wrote our books
How to help the Treatment team include us - even if they are reluctant (HIPAA, confidentiality, etc.)
Planning for when we are no longer able to help
The value of our anger, the value of our love
Lack of training for many practitioners re SMI (serious mental illness)
Conservatorship/Guardianship
SSI/SSDI
Positive life lessons for us in all this...
and much more.

Want us to cover a topic? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms
Twitter @SZ3MomsTrenches

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10273262

The Value of Community: Peer Mental Health and Painted Brain

Show Notes

If you have a mental illness, how does isolation add to the challenges you face?

Guest (and self-described schizophrenic) David "Eli" Israelian talks about his story, and two incredible projects:
Painted Brain | Putting Brains To Work! We're building community-based solutions to mental health challenges and the impact of social injustice through arts, advocacy, and enterprise. - 

Painted Brain creates lasting community-based solutions to mental health challenges and the impact of social injustice through arts, advocacy, and enterprise.

and Peer Mental Health:
Community wellness meetings 

Social and Emotional Support Groups 

Faith- based support groups

Workforce development

 Stipend & job opportunities

links:
https://www.facebook.com/PeerMentalHealth/
https://www.peermentalhealth.com/
https://paintedbrain.org/ 

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10227024

Money and Mental Illness: The Effect of Finances on Family Mental Health

Show Notes

We talk a lot about the emotional stress and shock of caring for someone with SMI, but what about the financial shock? Is debt an issue? How does your loved one handle money? How do you get services? Do the wealthy have better support? Do families have to go broke to have support, and what is the additional emotional effect of money on the family mental health?

Savannah Price, in the UK, is doing research on this - and today we turn the tables and let her interview us. 

Savannah is building a company to improve the mental and financial resilience of young people with mental health problems by targeting the vicious cycle between money management and poor mental health.

We talk about:

• financial shocks

•  the vicious cycle between poor mental health and dysregulated spending

•  financial literacy

• Family responsibility

• And look at another, international, health system of “care”

About Savannah:

Savannah is originally from South Africa, but moved to the UK for university. She started her career as a geologist before launching an Equestrian competition and sales business in Ireland. She most recently completed her MBA at the University of Oxford and is starting a company in Mental Health. 

She has a strong history of mental illness and disability in her family - she has a sister with schizophrenia, another with bipolar and her youngest sister has autism with significant learning disabilities.

Given her lived experience, she is currently doing research into how money and mental health are interrelated, and how having serious mental health problems impacts families financially and emotionally.

Not only do many mental health problems result in financial strain for young people and their families, but ultimately the breakdown of supporting relationships over time. 

To address these problems, we are working to develop personal “relapse signatures” for young people who suffer from dysregulated financial behaviours due to mental health problems such as personality disorders, bipolar, psychosis, depression, anxiety, gambling, substance use disorders and ADHD. 

We do this by overlaying spending patterns with other data you can get from a mobile phone, to track symptoms of poor mental health. 

This then allows us to tailor products and services according to their goals/needs, and improve wellbeing, both financial and otherwise. 

What it can also do, is give their loved ones insight into our users' mental and financial state in real-time, to flag risk and possibly intervene before there is a crisis - all the while advocating for agency and empowerment. Our mission is to blaze the trail for preventative healthcare through behavioural finance.

If anyone wants to learn more or to get involved with the research and product design - they are more than welcome to reach me on sav@price.mba, or my LinkedIn.

Want us to cover a topic? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10131439

Advocating for the Best Available SMI Care: guest, Rachel Streiff

Show Notes

Rachel Streiff: Mental Health Advocate, Mentor to SMI Caregivers, Data analyst for Team Daniel Running for Recovery from mental illness, (Dr. Robert Laitman’s organization),  chemical and biomedical engineer with a legacy six sigma black belt certification - Mother of our guest in episode 22, who is currently a full-time college student.

If you enjoyed her son's story in Episode 22,  hear his Mom's side of the advocacy and how she insisted on the best available care - a standard some practitioners do not follow. A very powerful hour.

Links:

rachel.streiff@yahoo.com

TeamDanielRunningForRecovery.org

Clozapine facebook page

Team Daniel facebook page

SZ 3 Moms Facebook page

Get on the mailing list:

rslaitman@aol.com

Dr. Laitman’s Book:

https://www.amazon.com/MEANINGFUL-RECOVERY-Schizophrenia-Serious-Clozapine/dp/172748424X

New finger-prick Point-of-service test

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10097380

Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children Through Conflict and Change

Show Notes

“Does anybody have a map?...” - a lyric from the show Dear Evan Hansen, sung by the parents of the show’s adolescent children.

If you are a “Mom in the Trenches” of serious mental illness in your child, you also know the feeling - all too well .

Judith R. Smith, (mother, psychotherapist, professor, researcher on women’s issues as they age) noticed that the topic of mothering challenging adult kids was a topic that had no map - at least on the bookshelves.

So she researched, and wrote one, and it’s available this month.

We ask:

• Why this book?

• What did you learn in your research and interviews with mothers of challenging adult children?

• What does shame have to do with it?

• “ Unpaid and unrecognized maternal caregiving work continues to limit women’s quality of life” - what can mothers do to help themselves?

• Did you learn any tips for helping or handling our challenging adult kids?
  

“Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult children associated with mental illness, substance use, or chronic unemployment”

Links:

Amazon - get the book!

Twitter: @JudithRSmithPhd

Judith’s facebook page: Difficult Mothering

judithRSmith@difficultmothering.com

Difficult Mothering Website

JASA - for aging services in NYC 

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10049251

Focus on BIPOC Mental Health Challenges and Outreach - guest, Sabah Muhammad

Show Notes

Focus on BIPOC Mental Health Challenges and Outreach - guest, Sabah Muhammad, DJ Jaffe Advocate

Sabah has a brother with mental illness, and is an advocate for him, and more: she  is legislative and policy counsel with Treatment Advocacy Center (see episode 31).

SMI is challenging enough, but what does racial inequality add to the picture? Sabah references one of her favorite quotes: "Racism isn't the shark in the water, it is the water." 
Or: is it more like smog, that we can each do something to help clear?

According to evermindgroup.com, 

“Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are impacted both in terms of increased risk for mental health problems and in their access to mental health care. Unfortunately, systemic barriers and inequities prevent those in BIPOC communities from receiving the behavioral health treatment they need. When BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected during moments of national crisis, this problem is exacerbated. “

Is the system imbalanced? Biased?

Let’s find out.

Questions:

1. Tell us your story and why you do the work you do.

2. Tell us about your recent report on inequities in diversion programs.

3. What other inequities do you see?

4. Does the current mental health system's often poor treatment of families especially harm families of color?

5. Are there any ways our podcast could be more welcoming to BIPOC people? Should we publicize your podcast in any way? If so, how?

Links:

https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions

https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9949852

The Deep Dark Road: Living With Schizophrenia and Coming Back. Ryan’s Story.

Show Notes

An Acid Trip in college led to “never feeling the same again” - to actions to feed drug habits, to inner thoughts of suicide and harm, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, treatment - and now, a Master's Degree and full-time work.

The 3 Moms ask Ryan the questions our sons aren’t ready to answer.

• What does psychosis feel like?

• What is the effect of weed on your symptoms?

• Do you tell potential new friends you have schizophrenia?

• What support helps you? Family? Friends?

• What are your “extended thoughts” like?

• Why did you ask for voluntary hospital stay?

• What advice would you give others with sz? What would a peer support network mean to you?

Ryan says:

“Being diagnosed with schizophrenia was my second chance at life in a very, very weird way.”

“Paranoia can be a deep, dark road, especially if you’re not aware of it. ”

“I'm very happy with where I'm at. It's enough, where I can recognize that I have an illness and that I am hallucinating but not enough where my hallucinations run my life.”

“The great part about reality is that it’s shared. I was not sharing with other people.”   

" I will continue to listen to your podcast to understand the struggle my family goes through. In bits in pieces, of course, because too much of that at once could be an overload."

What helps Ryan: Advice to others with schizophrenia:

• Take your meds (when dosage reduced, hallucinations increase)

• Don’t smoke weed.

• Practice mindfulness. -  be aware of your “voices” and get out of your head.

• “You’re a genius. And I mean that people are always going to treat you like you're different, and you are. It takes an incredibly strong person to go through what you're going through. And it's not going to be easy, but God put that on you, for a reason and you're strong you're intelligent. One day you'll have the strength to confront your paranoia. Until then rely on your family, rely on your friends, rely on the people around you. It's okay to not be okay, but it's okay to be okay, too, and one day you'll be okay, I promise.”

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9927037

Fellowship Place, One Supportive Community Fostering Mental Health - Ep.33

Show Notes

“Housing…employment…daytime structure. There needs to be something for people in between all those medical appointments in order to really have a positive meaningful life.” -  Guest Mary Guerrera, Exec. director 

After hospitalization - what? Many people with mental health issues, and their families, struggle to find answers to that question.

What would true support and community look like? What is possible?

Fellowship Place in New Haven, CT has the following mission statement:

Mission Statement

To serve adults living with mental illness by offering a full range of therapeutic support and rehabilitation services that promote independence, wellness, and a meaningful life.

Our guest today is Mary Guerrara, Executive Director of Fellowship Place.

Terms to know:

HUD = Housing and Urban Development

NAMI = National Alliance on Mental Illness

NIMBY = “not in my back yard” 

We ask:

1. What is Fellowship place? Mission and how you make it work .What is it like there? 

2. Your personal story - why do you do this work?

3. How is it funded?

4. How can someone get a placement?

5. What are the challenges? 

6. How can families help? -  ADVOCACY. Fight for research. etc.
   

Quotes: from Mary

“You can’t take no for an answer” 

“The most significant thing that I have found in my career is how you can't just rely on the government, you can't just rely on professionals, you really need a partnership.”

“Families can advocate for more funding to be able to develop projects that combine all of these elements:  affordability, support services, and a peer support network.”

“There needs to be something for people in between all those medical appointments in order to really have a positive meaningful life.”

Links: 

https://fellowshipplace.org/ 

Pathways:

https://pways.org/
 

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9881241

Channeling Grief and Anger into Advocacy and Acceptance - guest Jerri Clark

Show Notes

What if: the mental health system would pay more attention, take more steps to help , before tragedy, violence, or crime finally calls attention to symptoms of SMI (serious mental illness)?

What if Darrell Brooks (charged with murder after plowing his mother’s car into a parade in Wisconsin) had been helped, and treated, instead of ignored or imprisoned? His mother, Dawn Woods, wrote a letter to the media. She, too, is a “mom in the trenches”. So is journalist/advocate/mindfulness coach Jerri Clark, our guest for this episode.

What if Jerri’s son Calvin had received treatment, despite his “civil right ”to refuse it - although the refusal itself is a symptom of his illness?

She says: 

 “I watched my son delivered into society’s underbelly by design. He spent months homeless, met law enforcement again and again, and tried multiple times to die. These traumas are part of a tragic inventory of the requirements for public assistance when someone has a serious mental illness”

Her son Calvin was 23 when he died from suicide March 18, 2019. 

She is the founder of MOMI–Mothers of the Mentally Ill, and talks with us about her family story, and her path to purpose and redefining her life - and Calvin’s life.

Links:

Pete earley’s post:

http://www.peteearley.com/2019/01/14/a-poignant-pbs-segment-jerri-clark-describes-her-familys-struggle-to-get-help-for-son-with-his-mental-illness/

PBS link: (Brief But Spectacular segment on PBS news hour)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozj7TvpDHI 
 

Jerri’s Story:

https://kansasalumnimagazine.org/my-sons-story/
 

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9740212

Eliminating Barriers to Mental Illness Treatment - Treatment Advocacy Center

Show Notes

Lack of involuntary treatment, hospital bed shortages, anosognosia, criminalization of mental illness, public service costs…

Where do we turn when we need to change the system of mental illness treatment? How to break open the barriers? How do we advocate for change?

The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating legal and other barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness.  

The organization promotes laws, policies and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Stanley Medical Research Institute is a fully integrated supporting organization to the Treatment Advocacy Center. 

Ex. Dir. Lisa Dailey , Treatment Advocacy Center -

Lisa Dailey is the executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center, leading an energetic team to improve state and federal civil commitment laws and promote evidence-based policies to positively affect those with severe mental illness. Lisa joined the Treatment Advocacy Center in 2015, bringing many years of nonprofit policy and advocacy experience. Her prior work includes the representation of refugees seeking asylum in the United States and many years of experience as a litigator in the areas of human rights and civil liberties.

1. Lisa’s personal story about why she advocates for people with serious mental illness

2. What are the main issues facing those with serious mental illness and their families? -

3. Why was the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) started? How has it evolved?

4. An inside glimpse of Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, TAC’s founder, author ofSurviving Schizophrenia

5. What has TAC had the most success with? (Thank you for your advocacy to ensure people like our sons could get COVID vaccines.) What has been hardest?

6. Tell us about TAC’s Grading the States. We’re from Connecticut, Minnesota and Washington.

7. What is TAC’s relationship with NAMI?

8. Recently hired a parent advocate, Kathy Day. What will she be doing that is new to TAC?

Links:

Twitter: @lisadaileyTAC

 Sign up for Research Weekly, new legislative Advocacy newsletter, more

https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/
 

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Want us to cover a topic? Ask us a question? Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9688394

Purpose and Community on Recovery Road - Clubhouse Int’l - Episode 30

Show Notes

Guest Joel Corcoran, Executive Director of Clubhouse International

WE are registered on Podchaser: 1JYHu8EZSiGN2dxr1Oz7

Clubhouse International:

A Clubhouse is an evidence-based-practice founded on the belief that even the most disabled can sufficiently recover and improve their lives with the help of a supportive community. The Clubhouse model provides pathways to meaningful social inclusion, work and wellbeing. First developed in New York in 1948 by a small group of former psychiatric hospital patients, the model has gained international recognition, scaling to more than 350 Clubhouses operating in 32 countries and growing.

“We help start and grow Clubhouses globally where people with mental illness can go to get their lives back.

There simply are not enough resources today for everyone with a mental illness who needs help. It’s a crisis situation and the numbers are growing.

Clubhouses powerfully demonstrate that people with mental illness can and do lead productive, happy lives. Each Clubhouse we open reaches +/- 500  

1. How does the Clubhouse program fit into the larger mental health system?

2. Sometimes the Clubhouse program is referred to as a peer led program. Is that accurate?

3. What kind of things does a Clubhouse do for someone living with mental illness?

4. What can a person joining a Clubhouse for the first time expect? 

5. Who is eligible for Clubhouse membership and what is expected of those who belong?

6. What is the long term vision of Clubhouse International?

7. How do Clubhouses get started? 

Links:

https://clubhouse-intl.org/

Mindy talks about efforts to create a clubhouse in her state:
https://my.nicheacademy.com/rcladult/course/59353/lesson/169660

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9573024

Dual Diagnosis: Double the Challenge - Episode 29

Show Notes

Getting personal on this episode about the effects of addiction (drugs or alcohol) on the family - and the double challenge when it co-occurs with SMI (Serios Mental Illness) - in our sons’ cases: schizophrenia.

Are we ever really out of the woods? Are our loved ones?

What can we do? What must we let go of?

The 3 moms get personal here. Solutions? We wish we had some - but we do share ideas of actions and attitude. 

Maybe you’ll hear your story inside of ours. You are not alone.

-----------

What is dual diagnosis? (Co-occuring disorder)

What works? What doesn’t? - 

• “Harm reduction” treatment?

• 12-step programs?

Why is it so hard?

• Similar symptoms - delayed SMI diagnosisGrief

• Grief, Lost Trust, lost time

• Relapse disappointment

• Stronger drugs now 

What can the family do?

• “Trust, but verify” - blood tests, Urine tests

• Set your boundaries/rewards/consequences 

• Do what works - even if your break the rules you thought you knew

• Balance of letting go/stepping in

• Support a healthier community and purposeful activity for our loved ones

• Get support or help for yourself (the family) - AlAnon? Therapy?

• “Know that you’re dealing with something unknowable, and do the best you can” (Mimi)

• Look for Integrated Care for your loved one - treats both diagnoses together

• Keep watching carefully

• Be aware (and providers be aware) that what looks like “just substance abuse” may indeed be early symptoms of SMI - alert the family

Links:

Dr. Laitman - listen to our episode 18, June 2021

Samhsa has resources: 1-800-662-HELP

https://www.samhsa.gov/families

NAMI:

www.nami.org

https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders

Cedar Ridge: https://www.meridianprograms.com/program/cedar-ridge-mens-residential-stillwater-mn/

NAMI Family-to-Family

https://nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-Family-to-Family

Book: Beautiful Boy

https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Boy-Fathers-Journey-Addiction/dp/0547203888

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9542600

Not Like the Others: Katie's Story of Mental Illness and Recovery

Show Notes

Guest: Katie Sanford , blogger, "Not Like the Others"

“You raise expectations, and raised expectations are what people need.” - Mindy

From Katie's blog:

"Throughout the course of my life with schizoaffective disorder, I have always been considered high functioning. But high functioning doesn’t mean my life is normal or even symptom-free. "

Katie Sanford is a blogger and advocate living with schizoaffective disorder who uses her insights and experiences to  promote a deeper understanding of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. She details her experiences on her blog, Not Like The Others, and is also an ambassador for NAMI Chicago involved with Crisis Intervention Training. She has been a guest speaker for college classes, webinars, and podcasts, and her story has been featured on platforms like Women's Health Online.

Questions:

Tell us Your Story!

How does schizoaffective disorder impact you at work?

How does it impact your relationships?

Is an outcome like yours possible for everyone?

And why do you think it's important for people to hear from individuals with lived experience?

What role has family played for you in your recovery? - support, treatment, early diagnosis

Advice for practitioners? - Believe your  patients more

From article she wrote for The Mighty: 

“Receiving a mental health diagnosis isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter. But it may be daunting or terrifying. When I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, I had no idea what my future would look like...While my mind went spinning into denial, fear and acceptance that life as I knew it was over, a part of me clung to hope and refused to give up.

Hope wasn’t enough to solve all my problems.”

Links:

https://katiesanford.net/wp/

https://themighty.com/

Who Are the 3 Moms?

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/9456123