A Sister’s Love and SMI: Grieving the “Perfect Other” (ep.60) with Kyleigh Leddy

Show Notes

Guest: Kyleigh Leddy, author of “The Perfect Other: A Memoir of my Sister”

“I wish my sister gets better” - that became part of our guest's yearly birthday wishes, and more often too.

Our daughters have probably made that same wish - or at least they used to.

In 2019, Kyleigh won the New York Times Modern Love college essay contest for an essay she wrote about grieving her sister, Kait - and now it’s a book.

All Kait Leddy had ever wanted was a little sister. When Kyleigh was born, they were inseparable; Kait would protect her, include her, cuddle and comfort her, and, to Kyleigh, her big sister was her whole world.

As they grew, however, and as Kait entered adolescence, things began to shatter, and Kyleigh could only watch in horror as her perfect sibling’s world collapsed around her. Kait was institutionalized with what would eventually be diagnosed as schizophrenia, leaving Kyleigh and their mother to handle the burden, shame, and guilt alone.

Then, in January 2014, Kait disappeared. 

Her sister tells us about the loss, their bond, the story, the stigma - in her latest book.

Questions:

1- what do you most want people to know from your story, your family story?

2 - tell us what Kait was like before SZ, and as it developed.

Did kait’s concussions cause her SMI? 

3 - you and your parents - how are you now?

4 - does Kait leave a  legacy ?

5 -is the sibling experience often ignored in SMI? What is unique to sibs? 

6 - your writing process etc. and links 

Links:

https://kyleighleddy.com/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/style/modern-love-sister-vanished.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0358469341?tag=harpercollinsus-20

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With It chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is Fix What You Can.

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/12211504

Schizophrenic NYC: Define Normal, Defy Stigma and Homelessness (ep 59)

Show Notes

Guest: Michelle Hammer 

Michelle Hammer is a Schizophrenia Activist and spends her time passionately fighting stigma.

Michelle was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 after a misdiagnosis of bipolar at age 18. 

At 27, Michelle decided to use her artistic talents and fearless personality to do something that could benefit the mental health community. 

She founded Schizophrenic.NYC -  a clothing brand with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health. 

We Ask

What did Schizophrenia feel like for you? What is your story?

How are you now, and what treatment works for you?

NYC Mayor Adam’s homeless initiative - thoughts?

What are your thoughts about involuntary hospitalization?

How important is coordinating discharge planning once a person is in the hospital?

Do you think it is wise to have cops make determinations of mental fitness?

The connection between homelessness and mental illness.

Links:

https://www.schizophrenic.nyc/

https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/video/video-living-with-schizophrenia

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-bipolar-a-schizophrenic-and-a-podcast/id1594381452

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/01/eric-adams-mentally-ill-homeless-nyc-hospitals.html

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-11-29/mayor-eric-adams-says-nyc-will-treat-mentally-ill-even-if-they-refuse

“These New Yorkers and hundreds of others like them are in urgent need of treatment, yet often refuse it when offered,” Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference, noting that the pervasive problem of mental illness has long been out in the open. “No more walking by or looking away,” the mayor said, calling it “a moral obligation to act.”

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With It chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is Fix What You Can.

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/12123262

Listeners in the Spotlight: Tell Us Your Story! (Ep. 58)

Show Notes

Seven listeners share their stories of SMI (Serious Mental Illness) in a loved one - and, in one case, in themselves.

This episode grew out of a facebook post. We had so many volunteers to share their powerful stories that we may do more episodes like this, if you find it valuable and moving. I know we did.

Show notes:
Judith Smith's Support group info:
 judithrsmith@difficultmothering.com

Look Again podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/look-again-mental-illness-re-examined/id1557736942

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Linda's "manual":
I’d like to share some of my manual that I’ve created along the way:

·       Learn how to distinguish healthy language, judgement and behaviors from unhealthy or unsafe ones

·       Listen between the lines-try to understand what’s really being communicated-even when it seems so illogical

·       Clarify what is acceptable and what isn’t, for you, in your life.

·       Create a ‘board of directors’ for yourself…who will you turn to for various aspects of managing your loved one’s condition.

I now engage only with the healthy parts in conversation especially if it starts to escalate. Ignore the unhealthy.

I provide what I can to keep my family member safe, fed, housed, etc.-- When I’m too burned out, I allow myself to say, sorry I’m not able to do that now. I can do it later, tomorrow, etc.

I’ve reclaimed my home and decide when I can interact with him and when I cannot. Keep limits clear, factual rather than punitive, and make logical sense, rather than a knee jerk reaction to  frustration.

FInd ways to connect and love in the face of adversity, unfounded anger and blame

Hosts:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With It chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is Fix What You Can.

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/12034354

Not-So-Happy Holidays? How to Manage with SMI in the Family

Show Notes

What if, for families coping with SMI (serious mental illness) in a loved one, the holiday season is "the most difficult time of the year"?

The 3 Moms Discuss - Holidays past, in joy, crisis or grief - and how we currently celebrate what is...the best we can.

Some tips we share:

• Lower Holiday expectations and Marketing Myths (e.g., perfect holidays)

• Plan Ahead - even for possible disaster

• Have a Plan B - and maybe C, D...

• Include Your Loved One as Much as Possible, Especially if They Can Help

• Don't Let the "Unsqueaky Wheels" feel ignored

• Cherish the Good Moments - Find the Positives

• Be Willing to Change Traditions as Needed

• Set and Enforce Limits  - Know Your Boundaries

• Imagine How it Is for Your Loved One

• Family Love Matters - You Do Make a Difference

Happy (and Realistic) Holidays to You All!

Want to Share Your Story in a Voice message?
https://benbehindhisvoices.com/tell-us-your-story/

Resources:
Look Again Podcast: https://www.bcss.org/lookagain/
Tips from NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/From-the-CEO/December-2021/The-Most-Difficult-Time-of-The-Year-Mental-Health-During-the-Holidays

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11889636

Housing That Heals: Essential for Many with SMI (Ep 56)

Show Notes

guests:- Teresa Pasquini and Lauren Rettagliata, 2 California Moms on a Mission for a System of Care that Works

From NAMI CA website: Housing That Heals project:

“As two California moms on a mission, we invite you to join our journey across the state and into our future dreams for Housing that Heals for Families Like Ours. 

Housing That Heals is more than a house, a program, or a room key. It is a system of care that wraps a person in all of the necessary medical, clinical, rehabilitative, and social supports that they need in order to live and die in dignity.

We began this journey in 2019, using years of experience as moms, advocates, and community leaders as our compass. We set out looking for solutions that would mend our broken hearts and the broken system. We were hopeful that this would be the year that California would recognize that people who live heroically with serious mental illness need more than “Housing First.” First, they need a full system of care that provides care before, during, and after homelessness, crisis, hospitalization, or incarceration. Housing That Heals is a prevention and intervention plan that will systemically flatten the harm curve for those who live with serious mental illnesses.

We ask:

• What experiences have you had that make housing so important to you? 

• Is there disparity in your state between funding for housing for those with a Serious Mental Illness and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities? 

• Why Housing First and Harm Reduction are not HUD principles that are tied to building affordable housing do not work for many with a Serious Mental Illness? 

• Does Ideology drive the disparity for those with a Serious Mental Illness? 

• Why does your paper talk about marrying the Recovery Model with the Medical Model? 

• What criteria did you use to measure if the housing you visited was Housing That Heals? 

• What Housing have you seen that seems to embody Housing That Heals? 

• Is it possible for this housing to be accessible to those who are on Medicare and enrolled in their states' public system of care?

Links:

https://namica.org/community-voices/team-nami-spotlight-housing-that-heals-project-report/

The paper:

https://hth.ttinet.com/Housing_That_Heals_2020.pdf

Our Housing That Heals Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/housingthatheals

Here is the NY Times Article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/opinion/parenting-adult-children.html

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/
Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, He Came in With

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11670593

What Families Want Therapists to Know About Schizophrenia (Ep. 55)

Show Notes

Guest: Leah Brennan, Leah Brennan, LMFT, CADC 

Leah Brennan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor.  

Leah got connected to 3 Moms In the Trenches through her clients. Over the past five years, she has had four different parents on her caseload who were all confronting the reality that their sons met the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. 

 Leah realized that despite her excellent training, she was not adequately equipped to help these parents navigate the challenges they were facing. 

 Leah has a lot of questions for the 3 Moms community that all center around the theme: "What Do Parents/Families Wish Their Therapist Knew About Schizophrenia?" 

She asks us:  

How can mental health providers better communicate a diagnosis of SMI when we make it? 

What do therapists/mental health providers need to understand about HIPAA? 

What should therapists know about THC or other substances being used in relation to dx of SMI?

  What should caregivers/advocates/parents look for when partnering with a psychiatrist and treatment team for their child?

 What kind of mental health support is useful when the family isn’t in crisis/loved one is stable?

 What needs to be taught at graduate level courses for LMFTs, LCSWs, LCPCs , etc. re: treating families impacted by a diagnosis of SMI? 

How can/Who should therapists alert and educate in the larger communities BEFORE kids reach the age when symptoms of SMI typically start to manifest? 

We ask Leah:

• What can therapy do for me as a parent of a child with a diagnosis of schizophrenia? 

• How would you assure someone who wasn't fully comfortable engaging in therapy that it would be a good use of time/validating? 

Links:

Leah Brennan: 

https://www.leahbrennantherapy.com/

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (Ben Behind his Voices, Happier Made Simple)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, "He Came in With It" chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is “Fix What You Can.” 

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11579378

Tell Me I’m Here: SZ Memoir Becomes a Heart-Rending Play (ep. 54)

Show Notes

In 2022, the memoir Tell Me I’m Here, went from page to stage at the Belvoir Theatre in Sydney, Australia - to universal acclaim - like “a bold work, tackling difficult subject matter with empathy and insight”- and we have the playwright here with us today, with her own story to tell. 

We are also thrilled that the theatre company used our podcast as part of their research. 

Please welcome, from the UK, Veronica Nadine Gleeson 

We ask:

• What drew you to this project? Any personal connection with schizophrenia or other serious mental illness?

• Tell us about the process of adapting the work to stage - and when did you begin the play?

• Where else did you turn for research?

• What did yo learn that affected you deeply?

• Has it been produced elsewhere?

• Can we bring it to the US?

• What’s ahead for you? 

Links:

https://belvoir.com.au 

Belvoir Theatre on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Companybbelvoir 

Veronica Nadine Gleeson representation:

https://shanahan.com.au/client/veronica-gleeson/ 

Tell Me I’m Here:

https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-Here-ANNE-DEVESON/dp/0140098461

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, "He Came in With It" chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is “Fix What You Can.” 

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11545687

A Plan of Action for COD (co-occurring disorders): The Harris Project (Episode 53)

Show Notes

A Plan of Action for COD (co-occurring disorders*): The Harris Project

*mental health challenges plus  and substance misuse or addiction

What comes first: substance use or mental health challenges? It can happen either way.

Adolescence is a time of change and challenge. It is also during this time that most mental health disorders arise. In fact, 22% of teens 13-18 have a diagnosable mental health and/or addictive disorders, and 50% of all cases of mental health disorders arise by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24 (MHFA.org).

We 3 Moms have been there. We share our family story in books and in this podcast, to help others.

Our guest has the same mission - to turn heartache into action, and to honor her son. She was recently featured in the NY times, and she’s here with us today. 

Stephanie Marquesano, mom of Harris (who died at age 19 and had a COD, or co-occuring disorder), is founder and president of the project named for him - with a mission to change the way these two conditions are noticed and treated.

 We ask: 

• Tell us about Harris. If you had to tell the story of his life before the illness and after the illness in five minutes what would you want us most to know? 

• Early signs: you said in NY times “He was crawling out of his own skin half the time.” - is there anything you wish you had known, anything you wish someone else had known or done? 

• Can you share your journey to find psychological and psychiatric help? 

• The combination of substance abuse and mental illness often co-occurs, and yet… not treated together .   Talk to us  about the “addiction treatment nonsystem” and what should replace it.

CODA goals include:

• Increased awareness and understanding of co-occurring disorders for youth.

• Increased early intervention for mental health challenges and substance misuse leading to a decline in incidence of youth mental health crises, drug misuse, addiction and overdose.

• Increased likelihood that those already impacted by co-occurring disorders will seek help and support.

• Raise a generation without the stigma typically associated with mental health challenges/substance misuse.

• Encourage youth to positively impact their peers/communities by building connections to each other and being a link to resources. 

LINKS:

https://theharrisproject.org/
Twitter: @theharrispro

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theharrisprojectCOD/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theharrisprojectcod/

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11407096

Navigating Psychosis & Behavioral Health Systems: Against All Odds: Dr. Gary Tsai (ep. 52)

Show Notes

As a psychiatrist and system administrator who grew up with a mother with schizophrenia, Dr. Gary Tsai offers an insider’s perspective on the process of seeking care for serious mental illnesses, informed by both firsthand personal and expert professional experiences.

Dr. Tsai is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker and author, physician who is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine, and the director of the largest substance use system in the nation.

We’ll talk about his story, his documentary called Voices, and the tips in his his new book titled Against All Odds, including:

• How to approach impacted loved ones and resistance

• Understanding behavioral health systems, policies, programs, laws, practitioners, and payers

• Identifying a good clinician or care team

• Being an effective advocate

• … And much more.

Against All Odds offers tools and strategies to navigate the recovery journey and will reshape your understanding of serious mental illness and behavioral health systems! 

LINKS:

http://voicesdocumentary.com/film/

www.AgainstAllOddsToday.com

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, "He Came in With It" chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding Her acclaimed memoir is “Fix What You Can.” 

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11326139

Never Truly Out of the Woods - “Long-Haul” Schizophrenia and the Family (Ep. 51)

Show Notes

Living with schizophrenia or other SMI (Serious Mental Illness) in yourself or in your family is like a game of “chutes and ladders” - you’re never really out of the woods, but there are wins (progress, good moments and memories) and hopes along the way. 

Mimi, Mindy and Randye catch up on the latest family journeys with SZ - life-threatening crises, changes in treatment, finding hope and joy, and resilience - in this opening episode of Season 3.

We also preview some upcoming guests, and congratulate the production “Tell Me I’m Here” - a powerful Australian theatre adaptation of  Anne Deveson’s memoir of the same name. Cast and director listened to our podcast for inspiration and understanding, and their show is getting rave reviews and increasing awareness of schizophrenia in the family. - thank you!  

LINKS:

https://belvoir.com.au/productions/tell-me-im-here/

https://www.theatretravels.org/post/review-tell-me-i-m-here-at-belvoir

Mindy and her book: https://mindygreiling.com/

Randye and her book: https://benbehindhisvoices.com/

Miriam and her book: https://www.miriam-feldman.com/

Hosts:

Who:

Randye Kaye - was a morning Radio Personality bringing humor to CT families when her own son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now she is still a Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”)

Miriam Feldman -  is an artist, writer, and the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia. Her book, "He Came in With It" chronicles her family's story and was released to rave reviews on July 21st, 2020.

Mindy Greiling - Mindy Greiling was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. She helped found the nation's first state mental health caucus, which successfully lobbied for a significant increase in Minnesota's mental health funding. She has served on the national board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and is the current president of her NAMI county chapter.  Her acclaimed memoir is “Fix What You Can.” 

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11283607

Help! I Don’t Understand SSI/SSDI - Ep 50, guest: Dani Page, JD

Show Notes

SZ 3 moms Ep 50: Help! I Don’t Understand SSI/SSDI

Guest: Dani Page 

§  SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery) certified Retired attorney. Instructor on implicit bias in the space of disability.

§  Juris Doctorate

§  Certified Family to Family facilitator for National Alliance on Mental Illness

§  SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery) certified—for individuals with behavioral health challenges who are homeless or at risk

§  Presenter and facilitator on implicit bias in the space of disability  

We ask:
Clarification:
Dani would like to clarify something from the podcast in which I participated. The maximum a disability attorney or non-attorney advocate can charge is 25% of an applicant's backpay, up to a maximum of $6,000.

SSI/SSDI/SSA - please explain the differences!

Who makes the disability determination? (DDS)

What are the myths about SSI? Will my loved one have to stop working?

How to apply - steps

Do I need an attorney?

What is SOAR? Can they help? How much does it cost?

What materials/records do I need to gather/create?

And more

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/11005411

Pete Earley: A Father’s (and son’s) Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness

Show Notes

Pete Earley is a storyteller whose books include four New York Times bestsellers, likeThe Hot House and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness.His years as an investigative journalist include six years at The Washington Post. Pete is a tireless advocate for mental health system reform.

Many listeners ask: What about the Dads? Pete Earley knows. He was most recently seen on the PBS documentary “Hiding in Plain Sight” with his son Kevin Mike Earley.

In today’s episode we hear their family story, and many thoughts on what we’d like to change about the system - including NAMI. We also touch on the new 988 system, and once again Judge Stephen Leifman in Florida, who envisioned a reform program that would help people reintegrate into society by helping them with housing, relationships, and health care—especially mental health care. 

We ask:

• Tell us your story, and Kevin’s story - how have things changed since you wrote “crazy”?

• 988 is rolling out - comments?

• What has been your experience as a “Dad in the Trenches”? Do you think it’s different from the way Moms tend to handle mental illness in the family?

• Did your book, Crazy, inspire any changes in the mental illness/prison system?

• What are your thoughts on the recent direction of NAMI? Are there other organizations who are more about SMI (serious mental illness)?

• Tell us about Hidden in Plain sight and what that experience meant for Kevin - and for you.

• What are the most pressing issues today that you are fighting for?

• What would you most like other Dads to know?

Links: http://www.peteearley.com/

Judge Leifman speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbyI6I0Mlk

The Lifeline and 988 - https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/ 

NPR 988 story:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/15/1111316589/988-suicide-hotline-number

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10971244

“Our Son Died with His Civil Liberties Intact” - and What We Did Next

Show Notes

Episode 48: “Our Son Died with His Civil Liberties Intact” - and What We Did Next 

One Story of Bedlam - and Activism - in America’s Mental Health Crisis

Guests: Norm Ornstein and Judy Harris

You are about to meet a couple - Norm Ornstein and Judy Harris - who tragically lost their son Matthew in 2015. Matthew had struggled with mental illness for over a decade, and , as listeners of this podcast well know - that means the entire family was affected. 

After Matthew’s death, Norm and Judy (along with their son Danny), created a foundation in his name, which you’ll learn about in the second half of the podcast. Another project of theirs is the PBS documentary film, The Definition of Insanity looks at one judge’s innovative efforts in Miami to prevent people with mental illness from being treated like criminals…narrated by Norm’s longtime friend Rob Reiner. 

First, we ask them about Matthews’ story, and, as you will hear, these highly successful activists still live with the feelings that all similar families face - guilt, confusion, anger, and grief. Hear their story…and how they are working to find ways of “taking a tragedy and trying to make something positive,”

Links:

The Matthew Harris Ornstein Memorial Foundation

https://www.mornstein.org/

The Definition of Insanity Documentary:

https://www.pbs.org/show/definition-insanity/

Book :Bedlam: An Intimate Journey Into America's Mental Health Crisis

https://www.amazon.com/Bedlam-Intimate-Journey-Americas-Mental/dp/0525541314/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1656544912&sr=8-1

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/04/30/the-deeply-personal-story-behind-the-pbs-documentary-the-definition-of-insanity/

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10890206

You Are Not Alone: On Grief, Guilt, Tough Choices…and Hope (Ep. 47)

Show Notes

Just the Moms, addressing Q’s and giving updates

We talk about:

• Our recent advocacy (legislation and keynote speeches)

• SEARCH: what families need (Support, Education, Acceptance, Respect, Communication Skills, Hope)

• Updates 

• …and address e-mails and facebook comments like

Will I ever feel "normal" again? The grief and anger still take my breath away some days. I'm sorry to vent. I will start listening to the podcasts soon. Thank you!

How do you all prepare for when your sons get discharged from the hospital but you can tell they aren’t stable yet? I’ve listened to a ton of your podcasts and they are so enlightening- but I’d be interested to hear more of the technical details of transitioning a loved one out of or into the hospital and out of/into group homes for someone not yet familiar with navigating the patchwork of mental health services. 

What would we tell providers if we could?

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10848598

An Emotional Response to the Hearing Voices Network: Anti-Medication ? (ep 46)

Show Notes

Guest:Freddie de Boer

On May 17th, the NY Times Magazine published an article by Daniel Bergner, based on his book The Mind and the Moon. 

The article reports on psychosis , from the point of view of Caroline, who is beset by the hallucinations of psychosis. 

Daniel Bergner explores how to seek a deeper engagement with ourselves and one another—and how to find a better path toward caring for our minds.

Or - does he leave out a huge piece of the picture?

So many comments about the article, which seemed biased toward the Hearing Voices Network. One such response, from Freddie deBoer, has generated over 7,000 YouTube views so far.

Links:

NYTimes article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/magazine/antipsychotic-medications-mental-health.html

Freddie deBoer’s response:

https://youtu.be/yKB6F_VYuZY

https://freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/my-response-to-daniel-bergners-new?s=r

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10705211

Mental Health Crisis on Campus: Steps to Student Support (Episode 45)

Show Notes

According to NAMI, there is an undeniable and growing mental health crisis that demands both attention and action. 

Covid-19 has only made things worse.

Nearly 2 in 5 adults struggled with mental health issues in 2020, compared to about 1 in 5 adults before the pandemic. Among adults with mental illness, only 46% received treatment in 2020, a number that is far lower among Black Americans (37%), Hispanic/Latinx (35%) and Asian Americans (21%).

The crisis is especially acute among youth and young adults, as trends that had already predated the pandemic have turned even more ominous. 

In 2020, 75% of people aged 18–24 reported at least one mental health or substance use concern. 

In 2021, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher among adolescent girls than in 2020.

Today's guests are working to make things better for their fellow students who have mental illness issues.

They are Mindy’s cousin's daughter, Claire Orth, who just graduated from the University of North Dakota, and Taylor Keane, her granddaughter, who will graduate from high school in Washington D.C. in two weeks. 

1.Please introduce yourself and share how you became interested in mental illness.

2. What do you see on your respective campuses so far as fellow students experiencing mental illnesses? Could you give a specific example?

3. How have those observations/experiences inspired you to help? (Claire took some training at her school so she could better help fellow students and chose schizophrenia for her senior capstone projects. Taylor also chose mental illness for a school project and for her Youth In Government legislation. She's currently doing an internship at the Treatment Advocacy Center where she is focusing on youth.)

4. All of us wrote in our books about missing early signs of our sons' illnesses. Do you think your friends' parents today are doing any better? 

5. What would you say to parents whose children are in high school or college and experiencing signs of mental illness? 

6. Are your friends aware that young people who smoke marijuana are five times more likely to have psychosis? 

7. Have you noticed anything that your schools have done that have helped students? Is mental illness part of the curriculum? School support staff?

Links:

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10674926

Mental Illness and Faith - How Can Clergy and Congregations Help? (Episode 44)

Show Notes

When Mental Illness happens, it happens to the whole family.

 Do families turn to their houses of faith for help ? And if they do, what happens?

We explore this in Episode 44-    with 3 moms, one Rabbi and one Pastor. It doesn’t cover all faiths, of course, but it’s a start.

Guests: Rabbi Evan Schultz, Congregation B’Nai Israel, Connecticut

Rev. Mariah Furness Tollgaard, Pastor

Questions:

• Are you aware, as a faith leader, about mental health issues (especially SMI) in your congregants?

• What does your faith say about SMI?

• How do you, as a faith leader, respond to families dealing with mental illness?

• Is learning about Mental Illness part of your training?

• What part does stigma play in talking openly about SMI? - is it taboo to talk about it?

• How can we as activists/advocates help faith leaders serve their constituents?

According to Research (lifeway.inc):

• Only a quarter of churches (27 percent) have a plan to assist families affected by mental illness according to pastors. And only 21 percent of family members are aware of a plan in their church.

• Few churches (14 percent) have a counselor skilled in mental illness on staff, or train leaders how to recognize mental illness (13 percent) according to pastors.

• Two-thirds of pastors (68 percent) say their church maintains a list of local mental health resources for church members. But few families (28 percent) are aware those resources exist.

• Family members (65 percent) and those with mental illness (59 percent) want their church to talk openly about mental illness, so the topic will not be a taboo. But 66 percent of pastors speak to their church once a year or less on the subject.

Links:

NAMI FaithNet

Guide for Faith Leaders from psychiatry.org

Yom Kippur Sermon re mental illness

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10609958

Family Support Services - Where Can We Find Help?

Show Notes

We all agree (and letters and comments confirm) - the family feels lost. Doesn’t know what to do, where to turn, to get help with:

Finding options and services

Sorting through them

Place to vent and share/run through ideas

Our guest today provides that kind of help, and she is here today to share some tips with us. 

Guest, Bonnie Lane, (from Chicago area) 

For more than two decades, Bonnie has worked privately with families dealing with mental health issues. She has counseled individuals and families as  they successfully navigate the maze of care and resources available for young and older adults.  Helping families in times of crisis is her mission and her passion.  - The mission? - SUPPORT. 

 Bonnie will support you on your road to acceptance of the new normal. 

• Why does the family feel so stuck and unsupported? (and need services like yours)?

• Do you have a personal story that led you to do this work?

• What are the top areas of need? (legal? social services - benefits etc? emotional help for family?)

• What are the top tips you can share with our listeners to get the information, ideas, and support they need?

• Re your services:How much does it cost?

• Are you aware of other companies like yours in your  area or other areas? 

•  Does any insurance cover your services and if so do you  take MA? 

• What you do sounds important and needed, but is it only available for those with financial resources? 

Links:

https://thefamilysupportservices.com/

Here's the YouTube link for the CATCH presentation. 

CATCH L and L - Creating a Game Plan

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

 https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10528523

Growing Up Too Fast: When Your Parent has Serious Mental Illness

Show Notes

Guests: Karen Comba, author of The Snipers We Couldn't See: A Memoir of Growing Up with My Mother's Schizophrenia

And Christina Lord, mental health advocate (Canada) daughter of a dad with SZ, 

First, your stories.

How has the experience impacted you (Karen writes about life “with footprints on her back”)

How did writing or sharing about it help? Or did it?

How did your experience- and the unpacking of it - inform the work you now do?

What do you most want other children of parents with SZ to know?

What do you want others to know - teachers, practitioners, other adults in a child-of’s life?

How to find happier places for your mind?

Links:
https://christinalord.ca/
https://www.karencomba.com/

Books we mention: (besides our own, Ben Behind His Voices, He Came In With It, and Fix what You Can)

She's Not Herself, by Linda Appleman Shapiro (formerly published as Four Rooms Upstairs)

I'm Not Alone: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness, by Michelle D. Sherman

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?

Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms

@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10444968

Homelessness and SMI: Transforming the American mental health system through radical hospitality.

Show Notes

Problem: Getting our  Homeless off the Streets and into Housing

Many of our seriously mentally ill wind up in jail, dead, or homeless.

It doesn’t have to be that way - and solutions in places like Trieste, Italy can show us the way, Heart Forward.

Meet Kerry Morrison, and discover a cost-effective, empathetic solution that lives up to “The human right to a sense of purpose.” 

Can a transformative care strategy, tested and proven in Trieste, Italy, work in Los Angeles, California?

• We hear you.

• We see you.

• You are safe here.

• Your voice matters.

Resources and links:

www.accoglienza.us.  

https://www.heartforwardla.org/podcast-season-1

https://www.heartforwardla.org/

Episode of Kerry’s podcast  with Dr. Roberto Mezzina:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1283882/8741627 

Want us to cover a topic? comment to share?
Facebook page @Schizophrenia3Moms
@SZ3MomsTrenches -  twitter

Randye Kaye -Broadcaster, Actress, Voice Talent, Speaker, and Author (“Ben Behind his Voices”, “Happier Made Simple”)

Miriam Feldman – Artist, Mom, Author “He Came in With It”

Mindy Greiling – member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for twenty years. Activist, Legislator, Author (“Fix What You Can“)

https://schizophrenia3momsinthetrenches.buzzsprout.com/1604296/10310858