Living With: WDUQ Interviews

In the month of November, WDUQ's Behavioral Health Reporter Erica Beras is presenting a new series, "Living With."  The series looks at the lives of individuals living with mental illness and behavioral health disorders.  

To hear their stories in their own words, visit WDUQ's "Living With" webpage.  To listen to Erica Beras discuss the series, click here.  For more information about mental health in southwestern Pa. be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Available

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of their 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) this past Thursday.  Some of the findings from the survey include:

- In 2009, 19.9 percent of American adults in the United States (45.1 million) experienced mental illness.  Nearly 20 percent (8.9 million) of these adults also had a substance use disorder.

- 11 million adults (4.8 percent) in the U.S. suffered serious mental illness in the past year (with serious mental illness defined as a diagnosable mental disorder that has substantially interfered with, or limited one or more major life activities).  25.7 percent of these adults had a substance use disorder, which is approximately four times the level experienced by people not suffering from serious mental illness (6.5 percent).

- In 2009, less than four in ten (37.9 percent) adults in the U.S. with mental illness received mental health services. Service use was higher for adults with serious mental illness (60.2 percent); however, 4.4 million adults with serious mental illness in the past year did not receive mental health services.

A copy of the full report is accessible here.  For more information about mental health be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

12th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day: Saturday, November 20th

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According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website,  National Survivors of Suicide Day is a day of healing for those who have lost someone to suicide. It was created by U.S. Senate resolution in 1999 through the efforts of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide. Every year, AFSP sponsors an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, information and empowerment.

This year, the Pittsburgh Chapter of AFSP is sponsoring a National Survivor of Suicide Video Conference.  The broadcast will feature Dr. Chip Reynolds, and will discuss suicide bereavement and complicated grief. There is no charge to attend.

Video Conference Details:

When: Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: University of Pittsburgh, Scaife Hall, 3350 Terrace St., Oakland, PA 15213

(parking is available in UPMC Presbyterian parking lots)

Room: 11th Floor Scaife Hall, The Conference Center is on the 11th floor of Scaife, (close to UPMC Presbyterian Cafeteria)

Who: Survivors after suicide, friends, families, others

To RSVP, call 412-624-9005 or email afsppgh@gmail.com

For more information about mental health in southwestern Pa. be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Mindfulness, Health and Wellness

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Mindfulness can be described in many ways. From a psychological standpoint, mindfulness can be defined as "a kind of nonelaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation is acknowledged and accepted as it is".

Mindfulness techniques are becoming more and more commonplace in psychotherapy settings, and there is evidence that mindfulness can be an effective treatment option for a variety of mental health complaints, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and depression and anxiety. 

Interested in learning more?  Read the CNN Health article, "Can mindfulness help manage pain and mental illness?" by Elizabeth Landau.  For more information about mental health and wellness be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!


Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

How Important is a Good Night's Sleep?

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Getting a good night's sleep is important for everyone's overall health.  According to Helpguide, a good night's rest can increase productivity, help keep you mentally alert and impact your feeling of emotional balance. 

Interested in developing better sleep habits?  Read over the Helpguide article, "How to Sleep Better:  Tips for Getting a Good Night's Sleep." Unsure of how much sleep you need to be fully rested?  Check out the Helpguide article, "How Much Sleep Do You Need? Sleep Cycles & Stages, Lack of Sleep and Getting the Hours You Need."

For more information about mental health and wellness be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Friday Five: Facts About Veterans and Mental Health

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- Recent studies tell us that nearly a third of veterans who seek care through Veterans Administration (VA) health centers receive mental health diagnoses.

- Almost one in five veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq will experience mental illness.

- Approximately 30 percent of veterans treated in the veterans health system have depressive symptoms, two to three times the rate of the general population.

- More Vietnam veterans have now died from suicide than were killed directly during the war.

- Approximately 40 percent of homeless veterans live with mental illnesses.

After all our veterans have done for us, it is important that they be supported when dealing with mental illness. Visit NAMI National's Veterans Resource Center  for more information about resources for veterans and their families.

For more information about mental health in southwestern Pa. be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

Happy Veterans Day

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Happy Veterans Day from NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania!

Be sure to thank a veteran today for all they've done for our country and our freedoms.