Spinning the Wheel with MindMap Last month, the MindMap and STEP team attended Fresh Check Day at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, with a very positive turnout from the student campus population. Fresh Check Days, organized by The Jordan Porco Foundation, are fun and interactive college fairs bringing awareness to mental health resources and
Elizabeth Blue at Yale MindMap and STEP attended a special screening of Elizabeth Blue, the 2017 Official Selection of Sunscreen Film Festival, at Yale this past September. The film follows Elizabeth, a young woman diagnosed with schizophrenia, as she navigates outpatient treatment and planning her wedding. Program Director of MindMap and STEP Dr. Vinod Srihari,
The Program for Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) is the first comprehensive early intervention service of its kind in the U.S, and it’s located right here in New Haven, Connecticut. STEP first began offering comprehensive care to individuals facing the recent onset of a psychotic disorder in 2006. Since then, STEP has been recognized as a
Whether or not you, a friend, or a family member are dealing with a mental health issue, here are some tips to reduce stress during the holidays. Make yourself a priority and identify what you really want to do. For instance, you might want to spend the entire day with your family or just stop in for
Are you interested in helping shape the conversation around mental health stigma? Would you like to put your skills to good use and improve your communities? Can you devote 10 hours a month to improving mental health in your community? If so, consider partnering with MindMap on our mission to destigmatize mental illness and get those who need
We talked to one of our patients recently, and one question that came up was, “What would you tell your younger self, now that you have been through treatment?” We find many of these statements to be so insightful and hope they may be useful if you find yourself in a situation where you may have
It’s been a busy year for MindMap! We started this communications campaign in February, 2015 with the goal of reaching more young people and those who love them with information, education, communications, and a clear path to mental health. We’ve stepped out of our offices and into the community via many events throughout the year. Towards
Having a mental illness is the same as having any medical illness. Stress can throw anyone off-kilter. It helps to have a plan and to take good care of yourself. Here are nine tips for coping with the holidays. Make yourself a priority As we’re hosting, shopping, cooking, cleaning, attending get-togethers, and checking
Research has found that early intervention is beneficial for patients and loved ones for the following reasons: Less treatment resistance and reduced risk of relapse Reduced risk for suicide Reduced disruptions to work or school attendance Retention of social skills and support Decreased need for hospitalization More rapid recovery and better prognosis Reduced family disruption and distress
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is
When a person experiences an acute psychotic episode, it can be frightening, confusing, and distressing to both the individual and his or her family and friends. Here are some things you can do to make their experience easier. 1. If they are having difficulty concentrating: Keep your statements short Give one message at a time
In most cases, psychosis is not caused by ineffective parenting. It is a biological condition, and parents do not cause psychosis. Being proactive and supportive in your child’s illness, however, can greatly increase the chances of recovery. Understand recent changes in thoughts, feelings, or behavior. Early stage psychosis can include: difficulty concentrating depressed mood sleep changes—sleeping
Ok, I know I need to talk to my friend about psychosis, but what do I actually say? Here are some useful phrases to help get the conversation started, and some things that you should never say. “I’ve noticed that you haven’t been acting like yourself lately. I’m worried about you, is something going on?”
Too often people respond negatively or dismissively when someone discloses they have a mental health disorder like psychosis.
