Recognizing That You Aren’t Alone With Dr. Ken Duckworth

Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.

Millions of people are impacted by mental illness, and the pandemic has only made things worse. Not only have new symptoms emerged in more people, but the shortcomings of mental health care in the United States are now more visible than ever. As a result, many people feel lost, overwhelmed, and afraid to seek help for themselves or someone they care for.

But it doesn’t have to be this way—or stay this way. This session features Dr. Ken Duckworth, chief medical officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), discussing his newly published book, You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health.

Audience Questions

Dr. Duckworth shares relatable first-person stories from the book that illustrate the diversity of mental health journeys, offers insight and advice collected from renowned clinicians, and reminds us that help is available to those who need it.

  • What does NAMI do to help support families and communities?
  • Your book includes real stories from individuals and families affected by mental illness. Did the people that you interviewed have any reservations about sharing their story publicly and attaching their name to their story?
  • How did you find the individuals who you interviewed for your book?
  • There is a stigma associated with mental illness. How do individuals and families affected by mental illness experience and respond to this stigma?
  • In recent years, people have become more comfortable sharing their experiences with mental illness. Why do you think that is?
  • What actions can we take to support mental health parity?
  • What is a peer specialist and what is their role in recovery?
  • What do you want people to know most about mental health?
  • Do you have any advice for people who are trying to encourage someone to seek treatment or take an assessment?
  • Do you have any suggestions for parents of adult children experiencing mental health challenges? What resources do you recommend?
  • What are your thoughts about disclosing a mental illness to an employer?
  • What can caregivers do to practice self-care?

The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.

Resources

You may also find this information useful:

About Dr. Duckworth

Ken Duckworth, MD, is the chief medical officer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Duckworth is double board-certified in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry and has completed a forensic psychiatry fellowship. His journey into psychiatry started when he was a boy growing up with a dad who experienced severe bipolar disorder. Dr. Duckworth became a psychiatrist in part to help his father.

Ken is the author of NAMI’s first book, You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health, where he interviewed NAMI members about what has helped them in their mental health journeys in an effort to help other people living with mental illness.

Learn more about Dr. Duckworth.

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