Includes bibliographical references (pages 389-400) and index.

Foreword Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI Introduction Part I: Mental health and mental health conditions. Do I need help? The paradox of diagnosis How do I find help? Minding the many gaps Pathways to recovery: first steps Added complexity: co-occurring substance use conditions The impact of trauma Helping your child, teen, or young adult Part II: The recovery journey: evidence from lived experience. Themes of recovery: lessons from first-person experience -- The power of peers and community -- Culture and identity: barriers and opportunities -- Becoming an advocate -- Part III: Family matters. Family connection and communication -- Navigating the legal system -- The hardest family questions -- Making meaning of loss by suicide -- Family advocacy -- IV. Best practices. Experts answer the most frequently asked questions -- State-of-the-art care and research for specific conditions.

"Written with authority and compassion, this is the essential resource for individuals and families seeking expert guidance on diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, featuring inspiring, true stories from real people in their own words. Millions of people in the United States are affected by mental illness every year, and the Covid-19 pandemic only further exposed the shortcomings of the American mental health system. Too many are confused, afraid, and overwhelmed, with many asking themselves the same questions: What does it mean when different doctors give me different diagnoses? What if my insurance won't cover my treatment? Will I ever feel better? Families and friends are often left in the dark about how best to help their loved ones, from dealing with financial and logistical issues, to handling the emotional challenges of loving someone who is suffering. You Are Not Alone is here to offer help. Written by Dr. Ken Duckworth with the wisdom of a psychiatrist and the vulnerability of a peer, this comprehensive guide centers the poignant lived experiences of over 125 individuals from across the country whose first-person stories illustrate the diversity of mental health journeys. This book also provides. Practical guidance on dealing with a vast array of mental health conditions and navigating care. Research-based evidence on what treatments and approaches work. Insight and advice from renowned clinical experts and practitioners. This singular resource--the first book from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and with all sales proceeds going back to the NAMI community -- is a powerful reminder that help is here, and you are never alone"--

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