Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
Some people tell me that I’m strong. Maybe that’s why they think I can do what I do. Why Erica Stapleton with Channel 12 would want to interview me for an upcoming story. But it just isn’t true. I battle against fear every time I speak in public. When the camera turns...
Leslie’s Story
It’s not often that we can publish personal stories of the people we serve. That’s why we were super excited when Leslie agreed to share her story because we wanted you to know that when we say you’re making a difference, it’s so very true! I do want to mention...
Arizona Ignores the Needs of Families Affected by Serious Mental Illness.
My husband and I host P82’s caregiver support group for families impacted by serious mental illness, but I need this meeting as much as anyone else. It’s a place to gather twice a month with other parents, spouses, and siblings to hold each other’s hands, albeit...
SB1291 and Shared Decision Making will hurt the mentally ill
Guest post by Rachel Streiff, Family Advocate for the Seriously Mentally Ill - In the wake of Arizona's biggest mental health fraud investigation, the Arizona legislature is about to create barriers to guardianships for disabled individuals, opening up this critical...
Excerpt from testimony given at the Arizona Joint Legislative Psychiatric Review Council 1/4/2023
by Deborah Geesling I shared a photo on one of our social media pages recently and it was by far the most popular post last year. Here’s what I wrote, “This was the sweetest moment over Thanksgiving. My son who struggles against schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was...
A Better Hope for the Mentally Ill
I will never forget the morning after my son experienced his first psychotic break and was transferred to a psychiatric evaluation center in downtown Phoenix to be assessed for court ordered treatment. I did not understand the first thing about psychosis and psych...
Arizona’s 2022 Legislative Summary for Individuals and Families Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI).
Here is our compilation of significant legislation pertaining to people affected by serious mental illness in Arizona that has been signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey to date. To learn more about each law, click on the bill number and you will be redirected to the...
APS Mental Health Service Award
I was talking on the phone with my husband Matthew a few weeks ago when I read these words to him, “I’m pleased to tell you that you have been selected to receive the Arizona Psychiatric Society’s Mental Health Public Service Award for 2022.” Gazing on this message...
A Prayer for Caregivers in the new year
I was putting on makeup one morning and the chorus to this song from a playlist caught my attention as it streamed from a speaker in the next room. The artist, Chris Renzema, was asking God to “tear my house down.” In fact, that’s the title of the song. Why would he...
Serious Mental Illness – Don’t Credit the Enemy
Do not assume irrational behavior to be spiritual. Pray for and with them, not as in a exorcism, but as you would pray for any injured or grieving friend. And seek professional medical assistance.