Rachel’s 42 minute Podcast on Anosognosia
Among individuals with schizophrenia, an estimated 50% to 80% have a partial or even total lack of insight into the presence of their mental disorder. This condition, known as anosognosia, has also been observed in people with other diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder, major depression with psychotic features, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. The May-June…
Read MoreAmanda’s Story🖤[1980-2024]
(August 1, 1980 – March 28, 2024) Amanda died before we could get this published for Mental Illness Monday, but we will make sure her story is told and that her life will continue to benefit others. Amanda was a thirty-five-year-old woman who was diagnosed as bi-polar and seriously mentally ill (SMI) in her twenties.…
Read MoreMark’s Story
(LD10, Sen. Farnsworth, Rep. Parker, Rep. Heap) Mark was adopted through foreign adoption at 3 years old. He was an energetic and fun-loving child that excelled at karate and swimming. He won awards for his artistic drawings. He loved Sunday school at his church, and he played the snare drum in middle school. At age…
Read MoreAlyssa’s Story
LD 4 (Sen. Marsh, Rep. Gress, Rep. Terech) Growing up, Alyssa played competitive soccer and was passionate about social issues. She graduated with honors from ASU. She volunteered to work on Jake’s Law requiring insurance companies to cover mental health treatment. Her proudest moment was being with Governor Ducey when it was signed into law.…
Read MoreGriffin’s Story
LD 22 (Sen. Diaz, Rep. Contreras) Griffin was a sweet, but wild child. At around age 4 he started having mood swings that flipped like a light switch. He was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar, then disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. He was screened for autism twice; once at age 5 and again at age 8…
Read MoreTaylor’s Story
LD 12 (Sen. Epstein, Rep. Contreras, Rep. Travers) Taylor was a beautiful and happy child. An honor student in high school and an athlete, he ran cross country and half marathons and loved basketball. He was a loving mentor to his younger brother. Taylor earned a full academic scholarship to college and dreamed of becoming…
Read MoreCome and join us…
”We are here at each session.” ~ Mad Mom Rachel Streiff, Co-Founder
Read MoreArizona Capital Times: Senator Catherine Miranda, reported by Hannah Elsmore
February 9, 2024 In this article… “I just can’t come to terms with the idea that this is the best we can do for our loved ones and a system that is allocated several billion dollars to serve our most severely mentally ill, like my brother,” Walter said. “Our loved ones deserve so much better.”…
Read MoreTaylor [Video – Senate Floor Session]
February 2, 2024 | Senate Floor Session Sen. Catherine Miranda reads impact story: Taylor starts at minute 9 “BHRF’s, non-hospital housing, do not have nurses or doctors but Behavioral Health Technicians, who are generally high school graduates and not licensed by the state of Arizona. The facilities are not secured so patients can walk away,…
Read MoreMatthew Patrick Quinn 🖤[Video – Senate Floor Session]
January 29, 2024 | Senate Floor Session Sen. Catherine Miranda reads impact story: Matthew 🖤 1984-2023 starts at minute 16 Replay: https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?eventID=2024011155 “Matthew excelled in school and graduated from Aircraft Mechanical School and got a good job with an Aerospace Company in the field that he loved.” At the age of 29 the illness set…
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