IN THE NEWS: NAMI FRANKLIN COUNTY

• Gun violence in America: Mental health July 28, 2021
  The National Alliance on Mental Illness says whenever a tragic act of gun violence occurs, people with mental illness are often unfairly drawn into the conversation. "When we think about gun violence, what we know is that extreme anger, hatred and violence can motivate people to hurt or kill others. But we should never confuse […]
• Why mental health care in America is so shoddy July 27, 2021
  More than 47 million American adults are experiencing a mental illness, and yet 57% of adults with a mental illness are receiving no treatment. The fundamental issue, according to experts, is that mental health care has historically been treated differently than physical health care. Jennifer Snow, director of public policy at NAMI, also noted that […]
• The 6 Best Online Support Groups for Depression in 2021 July 27, 2021
  According to the WHO, depression affects more than 264 million people around the globe. NAMI Connection was named best for virtual meetups in your neighborhood by Healthline. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a prominent grassroots organization working to build better lives for people experiencing mental health conditions. With more than 40 years […]
• Becoming homeless in Seattle helped him find psychiatric help. His mom says it shouldn’t have taken that long. July 25, 2021
  Jerri Clark answered her phone to hear her son on the line. He had missed the window to check into a young adult shelter and was calling, to tell her, “Goodnight.” Jerri was distraught. That was 2017 and Calvin Clark had been homeless for a few weeks, the result of more than two years of […]
• It’s Hard to Search for a Therapist of Color. These Websites Want to Change That. July 16, 2021
  In recent years there has been an expanding number of digital companies and nonprofits created to help people of color find a therapist they can trust, someone who is not only skilled in the best evidence-based treatments, but also culturally competent. Studies have shown that mental health treatments can be more effective when a client […]
• Family Says Home for Mental Health Patients Failed to Notify About Man's Disappearance July 15, 2021
  A 56-year-old man missing for weeks after walking away from a community-based home for mental health patients was found sleeping on the streets of D.C. His family said it was two weeks before they were told he had left the home. His family was not contacted, but a supervisor at the home told them a […]
• Mental healthcare demand 'crushing supply' as anxiety, depression rises July 11, 2021
  Many people looking for a new therapist or psychiatrist are coming up empty-handed as more potential patients are seeking mental healthcare. There are more patients than providers. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are all consequences of COVID, explained Dr. Ken Duckworth, CMO of NAMI. There is a change in the way Americans look at mental […]
• 5 Mental Health Conditions That Are Way Underdiagnosed July 8, 2021
  Mental health awareness has spread significantly in the past decade in the U.S. and around the world. Most Americans now say they value their emotional well-being as much as their physical well-being. But when it comes to diagnosing every person who needs it, and connecting them with care, there is still a long way to […]
• Power Station with Daniel Gillison June 28, 2021
  NAMI CEO Daniel Gillison is featured in a 30 minute podcast conversation and discusses the history of NAMI as well as how the mental health field has evolved and where it is stuck. The alarming criminalization of people with mental illnesses, particularly in communities of color, persists. The potential for taking the police out of […]
• Low-Cost Therapy Options for Every Budget June 28, 2021
  The pandemic has taken a toll on mental health over the past year. Maybe you're one of the nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. who has been living with a mental health disorder and the feelings aren't new; or maybe this is the first time you're experiencing anxiety or stress at this volume. […]
• What Is Mania, and What Does It Mean to Have a Manic Episode? Here's What Experts Say June 28, 2021
  The terms "mania" and "manic episode" describe a state of mind characterized by high energy, excitement, and euphoria over a sustained period of time. It's an extreme change in mood and cognition that can interfere with school, work, or home life. Mania is also the main feature of bipolar disorder. "Mania is the linchpin; you […]
• Advocates warn of 'urgent' COVID vaccine gap for those with severe mental illnesses June 28, 2021
  Americans with severe mental illnesses are facing an "urgent" gap in getting COVID shots, according to advocates, who say the community has gotten far less attention than other vulnerable groups. Historically, it’s an under-vaccinated population, said Angela Kimball, national director of Advocacy and Public Policy at NAMI. Only 25% of adults with severe mental illness […]
• Find a Doctor Near You? Yes, but Medical Booking Sites Have Downsides, Too. June 25, 2021
  People often ask Ken Duckworth, MD, CMO of NAMI, whether he can recommend a psychiatrist. “I literally tell them, I have no idea who’s taking patients now,” he says. “Finding a provider is actually a very big hurdle, even if you have insurance, if you speak English, and you have the time to find one, […]
• The Hill event examines increasing mental health, SUD issues amid COVID-19 June 25, 2021
  For every suicide in this country, there are at least 29 attempts. Heroin addiction and overdose deaths have been on the rise since the pandemic began, which is not a coincidence, given that many people are using drugs as a way of self-medicating to mask mental health issues. During a livestreamed event last week led […]
• After the worst school year ever, here's what students want most June 16, 2021
  Throughout the pandemic, teens have been a constant focus for mental health professionals, as uncertainty and isolation led to increased depression and anxiety for young people. The ongoing crisis exacerbated mental health concerns, but even without a pandemic, young people make up a uniquely vulnerable population when it comes to mental health, Jennifer Rothman, senior […]
• How to recognize when someone needs help coming out of the pandemic and what to do June 15, 2021
  The pandemic is tough, it isolated people and has left many with anxiety and other mental health challenges. In March 2020, life suddenly changed overnight. Now 15 months later, the elimination of pandemic restrictions happened almost as quickly. “There was a huge mental health wave in the pandemic and people aren't light switches,” said Dr. […]
• Gun Suicides Are Rising Steeply Among American Youth June 14, 2021
  A rising number of young Americans, including children, are taking their own lives using firearms, a new study finds. Researchers found that between 2008 and 2018, gun suicides showed an "alarming" increase among Americans aged 5 to 24. The rate among kids under 15 quadrupled during the study period. The study looked specifically at suicide […]
• What is Bipolar Disorder? with Joy Keys June 12, 2021
  Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director of NAMI, joined “Saturday Mornings with Joy Keys” an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on providing people with tools to enrich and advance their lives mentally, physically, and emotionally. In the episode, Dr. Crawford provides Bipolar 101 with an overview of the different types as well as […]