Consumer Corner

We believe that knowledge about mental illness and access to available resources is critical to the recovery process.  As such, the purpose of this page is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, a place to share success, insights and creativity, and to provide information to the consumer, professional, family member and community that can be used to enhance the lives of individuals with a psychiatric disability. 

The Guidance Center is continues to develop this page with the assistance of our consumers. Please visit the page again and watch it grow.

To submit ideas or articles for this page, please contact Vicky Kaaz at 913-682-5118 or by e-mail vkaaz@theguidance-ctr.org.

Follow the links below to obtain information about mental health services in Kansas.

The Mental Health Consortium

State of Kansas

Kansas Department of SRS – Division of Mental Health

Kansas Health Policy Authority

State Plan Implementation Tools (KS)

The Association of CMHCs of Kansas

Follow these links to find information related to mental illness and recovery.

NAMI Kansas

Recovery Definitions & Components

National Empowerment Center

Peer Support

Mental Health America

Below is a list of various books on recovery and/or self-help.  Please check back often as new materials will continuously be added to this page.

Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient
This best selling book provides the story of how a physician and patient partnered to successfully fight a crippling disease.  The author speaks of his personal experiences of recovery using laughter, his body's natural healing resources and his mind. Norman Cousins (1981). Bantam Books, New York, NY.

Nobody's Child
Marie Balter's courageous story of hope and healing has inspired millions around the country.  After spending the first twenty years of her adult life in a mental hospital, she gradually emerged from the terror of the back wards, eventually to attend graduate school at Harvard University and become a leading champion for the mentally ill (Description from back cover of book).
Balter, Marie and Richard Katz (1987).  Perseus Books, Cambridge, MA.

Recovery from Serious Mental Illnesses:
Research Evidence and Implications for Practice—Volume 1 
This book provides "over 30 years of accumulating evidence that challenges the long-held view that severe mental illnesses typically follow a deteriorating course" and "demonstrates that people with severe mental illnesses achieve higher levels of role functioning, adjustment, and subjective well-being than previously thought." Edited by Larry Davidson, Courtenay Harding, and LeRoy Spaniol (2005). Boston University: Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. 

The Hillside Diary and Other Writings 
"This first person account gives a vivid, personal perspective of psychiatric treatment over the years—more importantly, it provides an intimate and honest portrayal of one person’s, and one family’s, tenacious struggle to reach beyond the anguish and frustrations of living with mental illness." By Robert Gary Neugeboren Edited and with an introduction by Jay Neugeboren (2004). Boston University: Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

The Loneliness Workbook
Loneliness is a strong contributor to depression and poor quality of life for people who experience psychiatric symptoms.  This book describes how to develop and keep a strong support system. Mary Ellen Copeland (2000). New Harbinger Publications. 

"Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Understanding and Helping Your Partner"
by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston, PSY,D.

"TAKE CHARGE OF BIPOLAR DISORDER, a 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability"
by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston, PSY,D.

The appearance of this information does not constitute an endorsement by the Board of the information, products or services contained therein. The Board does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at any of these locations. The information is provided as a service to users.