by Donel Raum
A Little girl stared out the window
And watched the cars pass on her street
Thinkin’ about a bedtime story
Of a girl she longed to meet
And a boy who’d often visit her
And say little one
come take my hand
Come fly with me
And you will see
What its like in Neverland
Wendy can you hear me
Do you see me when I cry
Can you share with me
your happy thoughts
Can you teach me how to fly
Would peter and his lost boys
Help me fight old Captain Hook
Cause I’m tired … Read more...
by Sara Daves
I wrote this talk in 2019 when I was asked to speak at CARE Talks at the McShin Foundation, a peer-to-peer recovery center in Richmond, Va.
I feel these words are especially important now, considering all the world is going through. We are witnessing yet another wave of major division – in many ways, and for many reasons.
My son’s life taught me how our societal structures perpetuate separation through shame. It’s the easiest way to divide and conquer and establish control. What if we could leave the old paradigm of blame and … Read more...
I miss the stage. But what I miss most is seeing all of you during and then after–hearing your stories.
This is a virtual version of my most requested topic. I hope you’ll join us on this webinar. It is free, however, it’s for a nonprofit and donations are appreciated.
DATE/TIME
Date(s) – Fri, 06/19/2020
2:00 pm-3:00 pm EDT
An Emotionally Naked Story of Depression, Addiction, Loss, and Hope
The topic is for parents and hosted by the nonprofit, Johnny’s Ambassadors founded by Laura Stack. See the series here.
Time: 2pm-3pm EST/12pm-1pm MST
Cost: $0 (But Johnny’s Ambassador’s … Read more...
We fall into habits of talking to family members over time that doesn’t include listening. We predict what they’ll say and intervene with our own opinion and advice. While it may be good advice, our loved ones rarely appreciate it.
Think of how powerless someone feels when they’ve been put in a mental institution against their will? And then later told what medications to take and that they are doctor’s orders. Pretty soon they feel they are not in charge of anything. What’s more, loved ones don’t take medication because they truly … Read more...
I get requests, especially from young adults and those in recovery, for a free book. If I am at an event, I often do have at least two copies to give away that were gifted. However, giving away hundreds ends up costing me a lot of money because I have to pay for books from my publisher and then ship them. And right now I’m not making much with most of my paid event having been canceled.
So when I get a request, I know there are people in my tribe who can help.
Recently, a young man … Read more...
by P.K. Hill
Sunday Prayer. Gratitude. StepWork and a frozen ice cube tray of unexpressed feelings.
After 40 years of hanging out in the rooms of recovery dealing with my alcohol and drug addiction and with the guidance of my therapist I am connecting the final puzzle pieces of my relapses.
My relapses have always been connected to my feelings of loss and grief, fear and anger…and physical pain…but I did not want to go there. Grief over a stolen childhood and the devastating loss of family and friends who, like me, and though it was etched deeply into my … Read more...
by Deborah Brown
The below was shared on a WebEx during COVID remote working where over 200 associates across the US joined this fortune 500 company virtual event. It was one of our May Mental Health Month events. We had panelists representing Youth Mental Health, Substance Addiction, and Suicide Prevention. Anne Moss Rogers graciously joined us to speak on suicide prevention.
So, why I am here with you today? Because I care. I care about every single one of you and every single Fortune 500 Company associate not joining us today. My journey has been long and continues to this … Read more...
by Laura Stack
Trigger warning: Strong emotional content and suicide method mentioned.
My cell phone rang at 1:03 AM on Thursday, November 20, 2019, and I woke with a start. I always kept my ringtone volume on full blast so I hear my son Johnny’s late-night calls. I reached over picked up the phone expecting to see my son’s name on the screen.
Instead, it said Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end … Read more...
by Jessy Rodriguez
I am a graduate student studying mental health counseling at the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, TX. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in human services. Education is everything to me; this was not always the case.
My siblings and I were placed in foster care. I was removed from my mother’s custody on April 3, 1998, a few weeks before my twelfth birthday and placed in my aunt’s custody for about six months. After leaving my aunt’s house, I was placed in many … Read more...
by Teri Rafferty
I have been volunteering with Into the Neighborhood in the Richmond City Justice Center for 4+ years now but as of last week, we were not able to continue going on visits as we were.
Instead, we have given our volunteers the information they need to write and to email our friends.
Some of us work with drug courts and HARP (Helping Addicts Recover Program) and have continued relationships with our friends on the outside. Into the Neighborhood has organized an adoption process of 16 recovery houses and 3 family units we have been working with. So … Read more...
