What Will Happen When We’re Gone? Trusts, Pooled Trusts and More-Ep. 99

Many people who care for a loved one with SMI (Serious Mental Illness) or any disability wonders: what will happen when we are gone?

Can we use Trusts to help our loved ones with SMI - now, and after we are gone?

This episode answers a lot of those questions.

Cannabis and Mental Illness - Is Marijuana to Blame for Psychosis?-Ep. 97

Although schizophrenia contains a spectrum of symptoms and influences, many now believe that marijuana was the last straw that “pulled the trigger” which resulted in psychosis and its aftermath - and that, if we’d known the dangers we could have done more to prevent our loved ones from serious mental illness episodes. Do science and statistical evidence back this up?

Lab Bench to Bedside: Research and Partnership in Schizophrenia Treatment -Ep. 96

The Johns Hopkins Schizophrenia Symposium brings together world-renowned experts in psychiatry, mental health, and neuroscience in order to present diverse aspects of the disorder, discuss their findings with colleagues, and be available to answer attendees’ questions.

This year, the speakers presented their cutting-edge and multidisciplinary approaches, including those that interfere among molecular pathology, digital science, public outreach, and clinical psychiatry.

Families were invited to attend - for FREE - and could attend a panel discussion the night before, plus the chance to participate in round-table lunch discussions with the speakers.

Through this symposium, they hope to translate the efforts of the lab bench to the bedside, and eventually to society by discussing and addressing schizophrenia and other mental illnesses from both clinical and scientific standpoints.

The symposium was open to all: researchers, clinicians, and family members of those diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was amazing.

Here Mimi and I review what we learned, along with friend of the podcast, Laura Pogliano

No One Cares About Crazy People: A Documentary Film-in-Progress -Ep. 95

No One Cares About Crazy People is a feature documentary film-in-progress about the tragedy, crisis and chaos of severe mental illness in America – and a burgeoning national crusade to do something about it NO ONE CARES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE takes us inside the tragedy, chaos, and crisis of severe mental illness in America. It derives in part from Ron Powers’ acclaimed book of the same name, a hybrid narrative of tragic family memoir and searing social history. Guest: Gail Freedman, Director & Producer Your support is critical to help us complete this film and tell the powerful stories that can be a catalyst for new understanding and action. All gifts, grants and donations are fully tax-deductible. Links: https://noonecaresfilm.com/

“Into the Light - Meaningful Recovery From Psychosis”, The Film -Ep. 94

Guests: Angela and Michael Brisbin (plus 3 Moms updates and we read some Fan mail!) INTO THE LIGHT Meaningful Recovery From Psychosis, a 60 minute documentary discusses how to achieve Meaningful Recovery from Serious Mental Illness with education, medication and advocacy. A message of hope and real help, the film’s topics include: barriers to treatment, the underutilized medication, clozapine, and the importance of a supportive community. Links: https://www.intothelightmeaningfulrec... https://www.teamdanielrunningforrecov... https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.t...

Living With Psychosis, Part 3 -Christopher Grant’s Story (told to SZ Society of York) -Ep. 93

Part 3, which really got to me because it felt as though I were talking to my own son (if he had insight into his illness)

Chris had a "tumultuous" time several years ago, dealing with the onset of schizoaffective disorder, but has overcome addiction and homelessness and established stability for himself, while also being an extremely productive artist. His artist name, as well as his social media handle, is xoradmagical.

Living With Psychosis, Part 2 - Matthew Dickson’s Story (told to SZ Society of York) -Ep. 92

This is Part 2 - Matthew’s Story. Here is his bio:

“Hi, I'm Matthew Dickson! I'm a Canadian who helps people in developing countries get access to basic mental health care. I've suffered from mental health problems myself (schizophrenia). I bicycled across Canada when I was 20 in the middle of getting an engineering degree. But at 22 I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It took awhile, but I successfully recovered from schizophrenia, and in 2023 I bicycled across Canada again, becoming the first person with schizophrenia to do so! Recovery is possible! Now I'm trying to help others going through mental illness, primarily in developing countries, as they have it worse than we do in developed countries.”

Living With Psychosis, Part 1 - Randye’s Story (told to SZ Society of York) -Ep. 91

Ever wonder what psychosis feels like. From someone who has experienced it and now has the insight so many of our loved ones do not have?

Schizophrenia Society of York (SSY) collaborated with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada (SSC) for this - their 4th annual panel event, "Duality of the Reality: Living with Psychosis."

I was delighted to join Christopher Grant (artist known as xoradmagical on social media), and Matthew Dickson (bicycled across Canada to raise funds for mental health services). You’ll hear the panel in three parts - First, my story of the family POV when psychosis occurs, then Matthew, then Christopher - who reminded me so much of my son Ben’s experience, it almost felt like I was having the conversation with him I wish I could have - if there were insight.

Ask the Moms - Listeners are the Guests (Ep. 90)

In this episode, listeners tell us what's on their minds and we answer as best we can. We talk about anosognosia, incarceration, psychotic delusions, what we would have done differently if we'd known then what we know now, and lots more.

We open with a poem by a listener who is diagnosed with SZ: Dale Walsh Poem - “I am a recovered reaching out help lessen the challenges encountered by family caregivers”

Awakenings: Stories of Recovery and Emergence from Schizophrenia (Ep. 89)

These inspiring stories will help you see schizophrenia in a new, more hopeful light - with the 3 Moms adding that if early detection and anosognosia are not taken into account, the outcomes can differ. There is so much work to be done - and so much to gain from it.

Preventing Crisis: Mental Health Literacy and Why It’s Essential (Ep. 88)

Do you have a loved one with Serious Mental Illness?

Do you wonder why it took so long for someone to recognize the symptoms?

Mental Health Literacy would have helped prevent the crises we have dealt with.

Guest: Annie Slease, Co-Founder of the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative.

The mission of the MHLC is to make evidence-based mental health literacy a foundational part of PK-12 education and communities.

SMI and the Challenge of Dental Care: Let’s Talk Teeth (Ep. 87)

We ask guest Lauren Yasuda Rainey, DDS, about getting people with schizophrenia to care for their teeth, if/how medications affect teeth, and what we can do to help. This is yet another huge issues for those with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Yes, the meds do have an effect on your teeth.

The Other S-Word: Let’s Talk About Suicide (Ep.86)

Guests are: Karlyn Nelson and Michelle Post

Karlyn Nelson Survivor of Suicide Loss | Breast Cancer Warrior | Realtor

Michelle Post, M.A., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 40198) with nearly 20 years of experience providing counseling and psychotherapy to clients in the greater Los Angeles area

According to the NIMH, People with schizophrenia have a much higher rate of suicide than the larger population: People with schizophrenia have a 10% rate of suicide compared with the larger population’s 1.3%rate of suicide.

Suicide is the biggest reason for the decreased life expectancy of people with schizophrenia.

A larger number of people with schizophrenia contemplate suicide. Around 40–79% of people with schizophrenia have reported having suicidal thoughts.

Saddest fact is that it is at the time of improved insight that most attempts are made. ie. when the person has finally moved past anosognosia and realizes his plight it is with improved understanding that this decision is made.

We Ask:

What is an “emotional heart attack”/ What are "The Five Things" when dealing with suicide loss in the family?

Ambiguous Loss - Living with grief caused by SMI (guest: Jerri Clark) (Ep. 85)

We explore Ambiguous Loss, specifically for those dealing with SMI (Severe Mental Illness) in a love one, with the Family Resource and Advocacy Manager at TAC (Treatment Advocacy Center). Jerri Clark is also a family member whose son with SMI died from suicide. The six coping strategies (not linear) are: Normalize Ambivalence, Find Meaning, Adjusting Mastery, Reconstruct Identity, Revive Attachment, Discover New Hope.

From Bedlam to the Business of Helping Others: Eric W. T. Smith, (Ep. 84)

We’re  delighted to welcome a return guest, Eric W.T. Smith. He was also interviewed  in Season 1 of 3 Moms (episodes 15 and 16, an AOT Success Story)

Over the years Eric Smith has spoken publicly about his journey through mental illness and addiction to a wide variety of audiences. Now he is a nationally recognized mental health advocate, public speaker, and consultant.

What Do I Do Now?: THE Handbook for SZ Caregivers: guest, Nicole Drapeau Gillen (Ep. 83)

Schizophrenia, a complex and harrowing illness, presents an ongoing challenge for caregivers. In this groundbreaking book, discover the missing links that empowers you to navigate the labyrinth of decisions and actions required to provide the best care for your loved one.

Nicole Drapeau Gillen is a mother who recognized that caregivers like herself often find themselves thrust into this challenging, complex and stressful situation with little clear guidance on how to help a loved one with a serious mental illness.

Ending the Criminalization of Mental Illness: Judge Steve Leifman (Ep. 82)

It is estimated that more than two million arrests in the United States each year involve people with Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) – half of which are homeless at the time of their arrest. Jails have become places where a disproportionate number of people with SMI spend significant amounts of time; their ties to the community severed, their treatment needs unmet, and their illnesses made worse. But it doesn't have to be that way - This episode dives into a system that works, saves money, and helps those it used to harm. Judge Steve Leifman is the Associate Administrative Judge of the Miami-Dade County Court Criminal Division. He will discuss his journey into the mental health system, the legal and medical history that led to America’s mental health crisis and the essential elements necessary to create an effective system of care that ultimately will transform the mental health and criminal justice systems and make jail the last option for people with serious mental illnesses, not the first.

Turning the Tables: Young Journalists Ask the Moms about Mental Illness Issues (Ep. 81)

Youthcast Media Group (formerly Urban Health Media Project) trains high school students from under-resourced communities to report, write, and broadcast stories about health and social issues that affect their neighborhoods and cities. The goal is to help students better understand and communicate about health issues and disparities that directly affect them, and to foster a generation of diverse journalists that will enter and enrich news organizations across the country. The students learn to harness the power of their voices as journalists to share the rich experiences of their communities in a way that honors, informs and empowers. And today, they turn the tables to ask the 3 Moms the questions that matter to them - as youth, and as journalists.

Hope for Troubled Minds -Tributes to Courage and Love - Guest: Tony Roberts (Ep. 80)

Tony is a man with an unquiet mind who delights in the One who delights in him. He is diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar disorder with psychotic features. With a lot of professional and spiritual help, he has published three books — Delight in Disorder: Ministry, Madness, Mission; When Despair Meets Delight: Stories to Cultivate Hope for Those with Mental Illness. And, Hope for Troubled Minds: Tributes to Those with Brain Illnesses and Their Loved Ones.

Faith, God, and Serious Mental Illness: But Deliver Me From Crazy - Guest: Katie R Dale (Ep. 79)

Katie R. Dale is no stranger to the storms of Serious Mental Illness. Blindsided by an intense episode of bipolar disorder at 16, she has come a long way. Katie has written a memoir on her psych hospitalizations and how God helped her heal. Dale has conquered many losses including her sanity and firstborn child. Despite these challenges, she has been an award-winning author and advocate, working toward equity for those with Serious Mental Illnesses through her books, blog, and work with nonprofits including National Shattering Silence Coalition, Delight in Disorder, and Fresh Hope for Mental Health.

Her passion is to share practical answers to living with and advocating for Serious Mental Illnesses.

Questions:

1. Tell us a bit about you and your experiences with Serious Mental Illness.

2. How did you start advocating for those with SMI, and what does that look like in all the various channels you serve?

3. On the outset you are a strong advocate for those with SMI, and a professing Christian. How do you advocate for SMI within the faith-based communities and churches?

4. What do you tell people who are not as faith-oriented about the difference between hearing voices in a psychotic state, and hearing God’s voice in your state of stability now?

5. What are misconceptions of those within the church who believe SMI is spiritually-based?

6. How do you reconcile your faith in a good God with the reality of a chronic mental illness?

7. What are benefits of leading a faith-informed life with a Serious Mental Illness?

Links: But Deliver Me From Crazy (Katie’s memoir) https://a.co/d/cu7DYg6 When she isn’t crafting her next book, you can find Katie playing with her daughter, watching a movie with her husband, or training for a 5k. You can find out more about her at https://katierdale.com/ and social media @KatieRDale.