Substance use and abuse is universal and the casualties of drug addiction affect all classes, races and regions of the U.S. We can beat this epidemic with three public health approaches: prevention, screening and treatment. 

"Knowing that there were still people who could benefit from hearing that they weren’t alone, that there were people who desperately wanted to know what they could do to help their friend or family member who was locked in their own battle with mental illness, I realized that my story could potentially pierce the veil of stigma surrounding mental illness and possibly help someone with what they were going through."

Transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment is a therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in patients with depression. It is a non-drug, non-invasive option. Learn more about this proven treatment method. 

"While my daily work is to help others, I’ve learned—through lots of therapy and hard work—that I must take care of myself before I can help those I serve. Prioritizing my recovery and myself has allowed me to be a better friend, a better partner and a better person."

Mental illness is unpredictable by nature and crises can, do and will happen. Although crises can’t always be prevented, it is possible to be prepared. 

Sometimes our life experiences and emotions create the sense that we are "not enough." But we are in fact "enough." Learn techniques to show self-compassion and overcome this difficult feeling.

The fact is: how we talk about, write about and report on suicide matters. For someone already considering suicide, it’s possible to change their thoughts into action by exposing them to detailed suicide-related content, including graphic depictions or explanations of the death or revealing the method used. 

"Sure, I’d make an effort to get to know others and I’d even spend time with classmates or co-workers, but I still felt lonely. That’s because loneliness isn't about the number of relationships you have, but the quality of them."

Until early-psychosis CSC programs are available in every community, NAMI wants young people and their families to know what to do while we push for them to exist everywhere. We can’t afford to wait.

Health care providers need to know if a person has a substance use disorder in order to treat all health conditions appropriately. Read a powerful testimony about how lack of integrated care can lead to tragic outcomes.