What Does it Mean to Be in Recovery From a Mental Illness?
It’s Recovery Month! When people hear “recovery,” many only think of recovery from substance use disorders. However, recovery applies to mental illness as well. Some people may experience passing episodes of depression and/or anxiety due to a current life situation, however, the majority of mental illnesses are lifelong. So if you are living with the illness for the rest of your life, what does it mean to be in recovery?
According to MentalHealth.gov, recovery is a process of change in which individuals:
Improve their health and wellness
Live a self-directed life
Strive to achieve their full potential
The Four Dimensions of Recovery
Health: Individuals overcome and/or manage their illness and symptoms. They are able to make informed decisions that support a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally.
Home: The person has a safe and stable place to live.
Purpose: The individual is able to participate in society by working to obtain income, take part in meaningful daily activities and be independent.
Community: The ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love and hope.
Adapted from list on MentalHealth.gov.
The Role of Hope & Resilience in Recovery
Hope, which is believing that the illness can be managed and that a fulfilling life is possible, is the foundation of recovery. There is not one “right” way to get to recovery; there are many paths and everyone’s recovery process is different...
Suicide Prevention for Children & Teens: Tips for Parents
What to Do if You're Worried About Suicide
What do you do when you're worried that a child might be feeling suicidal? First and foremost, it's important that you talk to him about your concerns in a calm, non-accusatory manner. Sometimes when parents are very worried, they end up saying,...
Be sure you know the warning signs that a young person might be suicidal.
Don't wait for a crisis. If you or your loved one has a mental health condition, plan ahead. Here are some tools from Mental Health America to help you develop a crisis plan today.
Mental Health Crisis Plan | Plan Ahead
Organizing your thoughts and taking steps to feel better can be tough when you're weighed down by mental illness. That's why it's important to think ahead. At a time when you're feeling well and able, think through your mental health crisis plan. ...
Visit our Recovery pageto find local resources to support you in recovery. You can always find additional resources in our Resources Guides, which are available in English and Spanish.
This week Greg Williams discusses his story of recovery. Greg's story leads us through getting into recovery before his 18th birthday, learning to listen, finding a vibrant community, and then finding his voice through film making and recovery advocacy. Listen now.
Instead of emailing us, you can now visit our website to register for upcoming QPR trainings and Narcan trainings. We will be adding other events regularly also, so check back.
NEW! Pacific Southwest MHTTC Webpage with School Mental Health Resources
With the new school year starting, the Pacific Southwest MHTTC is pleased to announce a new section of the project’s main website that consolidates all of the Center’s school mental health resources we’ve produced since launch--and more. Check it out.
Job Opening: Peer Support Specialist
The Peer Support Specialist helps plan for and coordinate the individual's service plan designed to increase functioning and community integration. They act as an advocate and assist in helping individuals access resources and programming that develop their fullest potential. The Peer Support Specialist acts as a liaison between the client and their treatment team. Learn more and apply.
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month
This month serves to remind women that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
Experts Warn of Rising Suicide Rates Among Black Girls
Researchers have uncovered worrisome trends among Black youth. For more than a decade, suicide rates have been increasing in Black children and adolescents, and a new study says the sharpest rise occurred among young girls.
Marijuana use among US college students hits record high ...
Marijuana use among U.S. college students hit a historic high in 2020, while alcohol use might have taken a pandemic-induced dip, a new study shows. College students' marijuana consumption rose in 2020, continuing a "significant increase" over...
ECT Can Be a Good Treatment Option for Serious Depression
Electroconvulsive therapy can effectively treat depression, and is as safe as antidepressant drugs along with psychotherapy, a new analysis found. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, can be effective for the treatment of major depression and is...
