Live a better life through community

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young adults are at an increased risk for suicide, substance abuse and mental health issues. This increased risk is a reaction to how they are treated in their homes, schools and communities; it is not a result of identifying as LGBTQ. Bullying, abuse, rejection, judgment, stigma and feelings of isolation and loneliness all have a big impact on how LGBTQ young adults feel about themselves and their future. As a friend, what you say or ......

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 101By Jonathan Goldberg, Ph.D., licensed psychologist, clinical instructor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Guest blogger, Dr. Jonathan Goldberg, answers the most common questions from young adults about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of therapy that research shows is effective in treating a number of mental health conditions in young adults. Dr. Goldberg is a trained cognitive behavioral therapist who works with young adults. What is ......

#ThinkPositive and Make a Difference in the Lives of YoBy Audrey Alexander, NAMI intern and student at The George Washington University Check out this guest blog by Audrey on the latest changes to StrengthofUs.org and why she got involved with our #ThinkPositive campaign! StrengthofUs.org has a new look for the new spring season and they are celebrating the positive changes with a #ThinkPositive social media campaign. StrengthofUs.org is designed to inspire young adults impacted by mental ......

Connecting with OthersBy Emma Volesky     Guest blogger, Emma Volesky, shares her experience at the 2012 NAMI Convention. I attended the NAMI National Convention for the first time last year. When I first heard about the convention, I knew at once I had to go. Not only did I want to go, I needed to go. Just the idea of going made me excited. Now, having experienced the convention firsthand, I can say that it is a hundred times better than I could have ever imagined. The ......

Academy Award winners Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway and Christoph Waltz (Photo: Disney ABC Television Group - Flickr) The annual Academy Awards televised ceremonies in Hollywood are notorious for dragging on too long, while saving the best for last. For people who stayed up late Sunday night, Feb. 24, they were able to see two of the top Oscar awards—for Best Actor and Best Actress—presented to movies with significant connections to themes of mental illness. ......

Hi Everyone, The SofU Admin team has launched a Think Positive project to celebrate the new StrengthofUs.org site and to inspire young adults experiencing mental health issues to stay strong and think positive, especially during difficult days. We hope the Think Positive project reminds you and young adults across the country that you are loved, there is hope and you are not alone in your struggles. We are in this together! We need your help in help make this happen though! Here are ways to......

Disclosure and Relationships Guest blogger, Linea Johnson, shares her thoughts on how to talk about mental health in relationships. Linea is a recent graduate from Seattle University, with a major in English and Creative Writing. She is a national speaker and author of Perfect Chaos, a memoir that captures her experiences as a young adult with bipolar disorder. Having hard conversations in a relationship is never easy, but when you add a mental health condition to the list it can be even harder.......

Hi Everyone,I wanted to provide an important update to the earlier blog I posted about the exciting changes and upgrades coming to StrengthofUs.org. We are thrilled to announce that the site will have a new look for the new year!StrengthofUs.org will be down on Friday, January 4th so we can update the site with the new design, features and upgrades we have been working on these past few months with community members.Here is what you need to know:-    All your profile information ......

Hi All, I just wanted to write a quick, positive note for all of you. I know this time of year can be tough! It seems quite a few of us are feeling down right now. It's okay to feel this way but always remember what you are feeling will pass; it is temporary. It gets a whole lot better! Together, we can help each other stay strong during the holiday season and combat any negative feelings. Please know that you are never alone in this fight. I want to share some quotes that lift me up when I feel......

Hi Everyone, I know it's been awhile since I have posted to StrengthofUs.org (SofU), but it's been for good reason! I have been busily and excitedly working with young adults and a web consultant on changes and upgrades to our awesome StrengthofUs.org community. I'm excited to share that we are now close to launching the newly re-designed and upgraded StrengthofUs.org. Our target date for re-launch is November 1st. For the past two years since the site has launched, we have read and reviewed all......