Living with a Chronic Mental Health Condition: What Works (and What Doesn't) In Treatment

Mark your calendars:

When: May 24, 2018 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET

Where: Twitter #ElevateTheConvo

Who: Anyone who is interested in participating in the conversation can join us

What: 1-hour conversation. Just follow the #ElevateTheConvo hashtag on Twitter as our panelists engage in responding to questions about living with chronic mental health conditions and what is helpful in managing them. Feel free to join in the conversation.

Overview

May is Mental Health Month! While about 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year, 1 in 25 lives with a more chronic and severe mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, that seriously interferes with the ability to engage in one or more life activities (NAMI). This panel will discuss what life is like managing these illnesses -- from both clinical and lived experience points of view. We will talk about what helps people thrive and what gets in the way. Join us as we dive into the following questions.

Questions

1) What does it mean to live with a chronic mental health condition? How does this differ from an acute or short-term mental health condition? Describe the day-to-day experience many people might not appreciate of the resilience it takes to manage these conditions long-term.

2) What supports and treatments that are most effective for people living with a chronic mental health condition? What are some best practices for people looking for relief and new forms of coping?

3) What are some things that are not helpful for many people living with a chronic mental health condition? What are the barriers to effective care?

4) What is the future for treatment for people living with a chronic mental health condition? What gives us hope?

Meet the Featured Panelists

Dr. Ted Bonar

@TedBonar

Dr. Ted Bonar is an independent clinical psychologist, speaker, and trainer based in Columbus, OH. He is a recognized expert in PTSD and Prolonged Exposure therapy, suicide prevention, and closing the civilian-military divide. 

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

@Therapy4BGirls

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is the founder of Therapy for Black Girls, an on-line space that encourages the mental wellness of Black women and girls. She is a licensed Psychologist whose specialties include working with Black women in both individual and couples counseling.

Michelle Hammer

@SchizophrenicNY

Michelle Hammer is an award-winning mental health advocate, a NYC native with Schizophrenia and the creator of Schizophrenic.NYC. Schizophrenic.NYC is clothing line with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health. Proceeds go to organizations that help the mentally ill population of NYC.

Dr. JaNaè Taylor

@MindingMyBlkBiz

Dr. JaNaè Taylor is a licensed psychotherapist who works with Black men and women who are struggling with harmful self-evaluations. JaNaè also provides consultations to Black Entrepreneurs, in every stage of the game, who are working to balance their mental health, Black identity, and successful businesses.

Sarah Schuster

@SarahLizTweets

Sarah Schuster runs the mental health section at The Mighty. She graduated with a journalism degree from Syracuse University, and currently lives in Los Angeles. She thinks every day should be a mental health day. 

Annemarie Matulis

@semavav

Annemarie Matulis, a survivor of childhood trauma and intimate partner violence, has spent 35 years balancing careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors including domestic violence, substance abuse and suicide prevention. Annemarie is a trainer for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention & is a certified suicide loss grief support facilitator. She has spent decades identifying alternative self-care treatment options for those impacted by the chronic mental health challenges of loved ones.

Gabe Howard

@GabeHoward29

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar and anxiety disorders. He’s the host of the weekly Psych Central Show, an iTunes Top Ten podcast. He also co-hosts A Bipolar, a Schizophrenic, and a Podcast, which explores life through the unique double lens of a young woman living with schizophrenia and a guy living with bipolar. He also writes for WebMD, Psych Central, bipolar magazine, and other distinguished publications.

Dr. Janet Taylor

@DrJanet

Dr. Janet Taylor, MD, MPH is a Community Psychiatrist in Sarasota, Florida. She is on the frontline battling the emotional and economic impact of mental illness. She has a column in Family Circle Magazine, “Ask Dr. Janet”. Dr. Janet is also frequently featured on ABC “Good Morning America” and NBC “The Today Show” and CNN. She is a former host of the Discovery Health/OWN series, “Facing Trauma” and was the Guest Care Director for “The Jeremy Kyle Show."Jen James’ lived experience as an attempt survivor living with bi-polar, among other illnesses, has helped her fuel a passion to help others. Jen is the Founding Supervisor and Head of Network at Crisis Text Line. She’s a Founding Board Member of Six Feet Over, which provides education and financial support to those who have lost someone to suicide.

Jen James

@QuirkyJenJames

Jen James’ lived experience as an attempt survivor living with bi-polar, among other illnesses, has helped her fuel a passion to help others. Jen is the Founding Supervisor and Head of Network at Crisis Text Line. She’s a Founding Board Member of Six Feet Over, which provides education and financial support to those who have lost someone to suicide.

T-Kea Blackman

@FireFliesPod

T-Kea Blackman is a mental health advocate, speaker and is the creator and host of the Fireflies Unite Podcast, a weekly podcast dedicated to bringing light into darkness (just like the fireflies) by sharing the stories of individuals thriving with mental illness within communities of color. T-Kea’s articles have been published on The Mighty, Urban Faith, Blavity, and 21 Ninety.