Out of the Shadow

After years of consideration, filmmaker Susan Smiley decided she was finally ready to turn the camera on her own family because she felt there was a very important story to tell. The result became out of the shadow, the story of her family’s secret struggle to deal with her mother’s schizophrenia within the confines of the public health system.


Out of the Shadow is a provocative and courageous film, offering unprecedented insight into the day to day frustrations of the illness, not only for the person who suffers from it, but also the family and caregivers.


http://www.outoftheshadow.com/

People Say Im Crazy

John Cadigan filmed his life in order to show others what it is like to have a mental illness. His struggle proves that people with mental illness can not only survive, but thrive.

Not only does this film look fantastic, but the website itself has a ton of great information about Schizophrenia, coping with mental illness, and pages of inspiring stories from others who have suffered, and recovered, from mental illness.

http://www.peoplesayimcrazy.org/

Fundraising for NAMI Greater Seattle!!

I've joined the Fundraising Committee at NAMI Greater Seattle!











                                          We are working on new & creative ideas to raise money for the 2012 year.... and old reliable ones as well. :) Any suggestions or ideas are welcome!

Safe Call Now - 24 Hour Crisis Line for Public Safety Employees

First responders face a very high risk of suffering from PTSD after being involved in traumatic events day after day. They need to make sure to take care of themselves, and get the help that they need, just like the rest of us, to avoid mental health issues.

http://www.safecallnow.org/

Wife Blames Husbands Suicide on Upcoming 9th Deployment

Suicide is now killing more U.S. soldiers than active combat.  Things have got to change for the men and women fighting for our county, for their families, and for everyone suffering from PTSD.

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-widow-blames-husbands-suicide-on-9th-deployment-20110822,0,2525957.story

Allen Institute for Brain Science

The Allen Institute for Brain Science, located in Seattle, Washington, is comprised of a multidisciplinary staff committed to understanding how the brain works and helping to unlock the mysteries of neurological diseases and disorders affecting millions worldwide.

http://www.alleninstitute.org/

Paul Allen Gives Millions for Brain Research!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/22/health/research/paul-allen-adding-300-million-for-brain-research.html

Suicidal No More: Choosing to Live with Schizoaffective Disorder

The opening page to this blog gave me chills, and every page thereafter impressed me even more.  The owner of this blog is a gal named Jen, and she has Schizoaffective Disorder. She has been in recovery for quite a few years now, and has dedicated her time to this blog to help others in a similar situation.

http://www.suicidalnomore.com/p/about-this-blog.html

MentalHealthBlogs.org

This is a wonderful blog that provides links to numerous Mental Health related blogs, hence the title haha.  I could get lost on this blog for days.....


http://www.mentalhealthblogs.org/

Wallingford House - Seattle

Wallingford House is a place for people with mental illness to come and rebuild their lives. It is designed as a recovery community for individuals who have been socially and vocationally isolated by mental illness. The program hopes to offer members the chance to develop self-esteem, self-worth, confidence and a sense of purpose while building foundations to achieve other goals, such as employment and education.

http://www.wallingfordhouse.org/index.html

Hero House - Bellevue

Hero house provides educational, vocational and social opportunities to adults recovering from mental illness.

http://www.herohouse.org/

DESC

Here is a link to all of the Supportive Housing in King County, including the upcoming 105th & Aurora location!

http://www.desc.org/housing.html

The Washington Connection

This website, created with the help of the Gates Foundation, offers one-stop service for a variety of government programs offered by the state and city of Seattle -- everything from the Basic Food program (formerly called Food Stamps) and child care, to utility and medical assistance.


https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/

One Mind for Research

The One Mind for Research program is dedicated to realizing preventions and cures for brain disorders that reach patients by the end of the decade.  Amazing!


http://www.1mind4research.org/

The Balanced Mind Foundation

The Balanced Mind Foundation provides resources and support for families raising children with mood disorders.  Take a look!

http://www.thebalancedmind.org/

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA)

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get free or low-cost medicines through the public or private program that's right for them.

http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs

Washington’s FREE Discount Prescription Drug Card Program

Printable prescription discount card that gives up to 75% off of medications for our loves ones!

http://www.washingtondrugcard.com/index.php

Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation

Johnson & Johnson has a patient assistance program that provides free prescription drugs to those who qualify!  Many antipsychotic medications & SSDI's are included!

http://www.jjpaf.org/how-we-help/index.html

Care 2 Make a Difference

This group provides helpful information on how to get the benefits you are entitled to,petitions to be signed and finding ways to have our voices heard by politicians. AND it's a place we can SHARE about our Disabilities and our struggles!

tp://www.care2.com/c2c/group/HelpForTheDisabled

Discovery of Antibiotics that alleviate the symptoms of Schizophrenia

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-shocked-to-find-antibiotics-alleviate-symptoms-of-schizophrenia-7469121.html

The NAMI National Convention is being held in Seattle, June 27-30.

The 2012 convention theme, Think, Learn and Live: Wellness, Resiliency and Recovery, highlights this year’s focus on developing effective programs and resources to increase resiliency and advance recovery.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact your local NAMI chapter for more information.

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=convention

Put together a team and walk for Suicide Prevention!!

Below is a link to create a team for the UW Campus "Out of the Darkness" walk held on April 14th, 2012. The walk will raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

General Link: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=1791

If you would like to donate through the team that I have already created, please go to my NAMI GS F2F page and donate there!

NAMI GS F2F Link: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&eventID=1791&teamID=33000

Help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness

Bring Change to Mind is an anti-stigma campaign founded by actress Glenn Close, who has first hand experience living with multiple family members who suffer from a mental illness.


http://bringchange2mind.org/

Mental Ilness: The Stigma of Silence

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glenn-close/mental-illness-the-stigma_b_328591.html

JUST ONE LESSON ON MENTAL ILLNESS could make all the difference in the lives of young people whose lives have been thrown tragically off course by no fault brain disorders

http://www.btslessonplans.org/