May 19, 2023
How can you thrive when facing a mental illness?
Today's guest, Katie Dale, shares personal and clinical
experience to nurture empathy and resilience for those battling
mental illness.
Katie Dale is no stranger to the storms of Serious Mental
Illness. With personal lived experience and professional clinical
background, she shares her insights to enlighten others on how to
cope with and thrive despite a mental health condition.
Katie shares her personal story of suffering under the onset
of bipolar disorder in her teens and the continued struggle she
faced thereafter. She recounts her experience with suicidality,
hospitalization, and the process of obtaining effective
medication.
Dale wrote her memoir and obtained training to serve as an
advocate and in a professional support role.
Katie notes the "double-whammy" of mental illness and the
imperfect mental health care treatment system. She encourages those
who face discrimination to stay the course and talk about their
experience.
Dale offers the following tips for those facing mental illness
and their family members:
Katie offers encouragement to those facing hopelessness and
darkness. She offers the following insights:
- Be aware that the onset of serious mental illness can occur in
adolescence.
- Pastors and church leaders are on the forefront, often involved
in the lives of those facing mental illness before other
professionals are notified.
- Fresh Hope for Mental Health has hope coaches, and Katie serves
as a hope coach herself.
- Be aware of state and county resources.
- Ask for a caseworker.
- Consult a counselor in addition to psychiatric care.
Katie shares the resources she relied upon to get through her
period of hopelessness and darkness:
- Prayer support
- People who listened, loved, and affirmed her
- Scriptures
- Understanding the medical and organic nature of her
illness
Dale emphasizes the importance of perspective.
Katie recommends externalizing thoughts and emotions through
journaling and art.
We discuss how to respond to discrimination. Katie encourages
the audience to remember they are not alone and God is in control.
She also advises joining a coalition or nonprofit to activate
positive change for mental health treatment. Katie notes the
increased issues with homelessness for those unable to access
care.
Connect with Katie at https://katierdale.com/ and get a
copy of her memoir, But Deliver Me from Crazy, on
Amazon.
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