The Cortez Journal

more Mindfulness

• The best lesson is ‘have hope’

The holidays can be a challenging time to go through, whether you have a mental illness or not. We are supposed to be full of cheer and good tidings to all, while simultaneously we are taxed for our time and our wallet. There are parties to attend, family to visit, foods to prepare and presents to buy. We are supposed to enjoy the sweets and...

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  Gladem-Covarrubias engagement

• Medication is not an instant solution

We have all heard the stigmatized phrase, “They are off their meds.” For many people suffering from a mental health issue, medicine is a key part in their road to recovery. There are some people who choose not to use medication as part of their recovery support system; for others, medicine helps battle the symptoms of their illness. However, as...

• The past is the hardest obstacle to face

A couple of weeks ago circumstances brought me to Omaha, Neb. To some it is just a town; to others it may be a stopping point on a busy interstate. For me it is the nest of memories, for it was in Omaha, where schizophrenia took a hold of me and brought me to me knees in life. As many of you might know from reading previous Mindfulness columns, it...

• A person is more than his diagnosis

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness website, the illness of schizophrenia only affects 1 percent of the population. However, I can’t help wonder how many people are truly affected. Without counting the patient, who else is directly affected? Family members, friends and members of the community — who else is touched by...

• Some stories are too hard to tell

Some stories are too hard to tell. I went to do an interview with Barbara on post-traumatic stress (PTS, also known as PTSD) and ended up going through my own soul-searching quest of the mind.