Navigating SSI: A Primer for Your Loved One with Serious Mental Illness
If you have a loved one struggling with a serious mental illness, you understand the challenges they face on a daily basis. From managing symptoms to navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, every step can feel like a monumental task. One area that often causes confusion and stress is applying for Social Security benefits, […]
Navigating Legal & Financial Challenges: A Quick Overview for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
Legal & Financial Issues are Ongoing: Are you dealing with other legal & financial issues, including things like SSI/SSDI, food stamps? Living with a serious mental illness (SMI) can present numerous challenges, extending beyond medical care to encompass legal and financial aspects. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the ongoing legal and financial issues […]
Understanding Anosognosia: The Hidden Challenge of Serious Mental Illness
Living with a serious mental illness can be a daunting and often bewildering experience, both for the individual affected and their loved ones. While the symptoms of conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression are well-documented, there is another aspect of these illnesses that often goes unnoticed but profoundly impacts the journey toward […]
HIPAA Strikes Fear & Frustration in the Caregivers Heart
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that requires the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. On face value, this is a great thing. We need to hold our medical information close to the vest, […]
Caregivers Make a Quantifiable Impact. You Make a Difference!
This is going to be a long post…but worth it. This is a quantifiable SHOUT OUT to caregivers!! The quantifiable impact of good caregiving for someone with a Severe Mental Illness (SMI) can have positive effects on various aspects of the individual’s life and overall well-being. While it can be challenging to precisely quantify the […]
How can individuals with serious mental health conditions ensure their safety in non-psychiatric emergency situations?
Mental illnesses affect a significant portion of the U.S. population, with an estimated 47 million adults experiencing mental health, behavioral, or emotional disorders, constituting 19% of all adults in the country (Mental Health America). Conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dysthymic disorder, major depression, and anxiety disorders can impact daily activities for those living with […]
Caregiving is a MasterClass in Life 💕
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to give a huge shout out to the love and support that caregivers bring to their loved one. Caring for a loved one with schizophrenia can be challenging, but it is a crucial and impactful role. The responsibilities of a caregiver may vary based on the severity of the […]
The Personal Cost of Caregiving
Anyone who has been in the role of caregiver of someone with an SMI knows that it comes at a price. In some states, they offer “respite” care for caregivers to help offload some of the work. In order to get that respite care, you need to fully understand the magnitude of your own caregiving […]
What Do I Do Now?
Yesterday, January 30th, I was honored to be a guest on the podcast, “Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches,” hosted by Randye Kaye, Mindy Greiling and Mimi Feldman to talk about my recently published book, “Schizophrenia & Related Disorders: A Handbook for Caregivers,” which is available on Amazon. However, let’s cut through the formalities. As […]
Nurturing Support: Steps to Building a Strong Team for a Loved One with Schizophrenia
Embarking on the journey of supporting a loved one with schizophrenia can be challenging, but the strength of the support system plays a pivotal role in their well-being. From immediate family and friends to mental health professionals, legal counsel, and community services, constructing a robust support team is vital. In this guide, we’ll explore various […]