ForLikeMinds

02/28/2026

It’s my birthday!!, and I want to share it with you and my Psych Ward Greeting Cards family because I’m feeling the love – Valentine’s Day has come and passed, but it’s still on my mind – peer-to-peer love. I am reminded of this love each time I receive a card, every time I ship a card, every time I visit a patient – every time I receive a “like” or a “heart” here. I love Valentine’s Day cards because they “say it”, but more importantly, I like all of our cards, because you “feel it.” I received one holiday donation late that is too gorgeous not to share – I hope it will spark those Valentine’s Day feelings - hopefully everyday feelings - again and again. I asked our donor, Grandma Ellen of WI, to share a few words:
“I wish “the world” would see mental health challenges in the same way as diabetes, or migraines, or any other physical challenge. I love this “card ministry” started by Katherine Ponte. When I make my home-made cards, I think of the sensitive people (like my daughter, and my brother) working so hard to get better. I send my cards off with love, and the hope that these precious ones realize their worth, and that they find happier days ahead.”
I thanked Grandma Ellen for her beautiful donation. I was touched by her reply.
“Stay well, and thank you for heading up this beautiful, thoughtful program.
I find that in every volunteer endeavor, it just takes one committed leader,
and then lots of other people will chip in money, or will work a shift, or make another donation.
But SOMEBODY has to head things up, and that’s the hardest position to fill.
THANK YOU for being the Leader of this lovely program.”

I want to remind those who follow my Psych Ward Greeting Cards posts that it takes ONLY ONE COMMITTED LEADER. In posting about our program, I want to acknowledge our beautiful donors, I want people to see the love that exists within our community. I want to inspire one or more of you to reach out to your peers through us or through another organization (there are many - here’s a list: https://bit.ly/4ryrgpS) or by starting your own initiative and touch the life of a peer in need. You could be saving a life.

02/20/2026

There’s a quiet comfort in hearing, “I’ve been there, too.” Peers with lived experience offer not just advice, but heartfelt hope and support. They remind us that, even on the hardest days, we can and deserve to live a fulfilling life. In each other, we find the strength and lessons to overcome and thrive.

02/14/2026

Psych Ward Greeting Cards - Repeat after me: “I am loved” – yes you are! That’s what was running through the minds of the over 500 patients at 8 hospitals we reached yesterday, today on Valentine’s Day thanks to our beautiful donors. They have so much love to share and we’re honored that they would choose us to help share it. Everyone’s cards were lovely and full of empathy and compassion. Here’s a small sampling. Our program would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of our donors – you can be one too. Please accept a loving thanks. You are loved by your peers on the inside too.

02/13/2026

Now is not the time to wait. Colorectal cancer isn’t. It’s taking lives now more than ever. Yesterday it took the life of America’s heartthrob “Dawson” (James Van Der Beek) of Dawson’s Creek. A couple of weeks ago it took the life of Schitt’s Creek’s brilliant Catherine O’Hara. I’m not just a fan. This is personal to me. It’s my family. My spouse, Izzy was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2024. I am blessed that he had a near complete response to his grueling treatment regimen of chemo, radiation and surgery, but we live with a risk of recurrence. And we are so lucky and grateful.
Younger people are getting colorectal cancer at alarming rates. It is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50. Over 50,000 people die of it each year. There are signs, but sometimes there are none. My spouse exercised, ate well, drank moderately, didn’t smoke, was “outwardly” healthy, and had little family history of cancer, but still he got it. His cancer was found in his first colonoscopy. If he had gotten one earlier, it could have been prevented. The absence of outward signs means many are diagnosed at a later stage when survival rates can be lower. Do something about it now – get a colonoscopy. It’s much easier than people think. If James or Catherine brought you any joy in life honor their life by taking care of yourself and your loved ones. “I feel fine” is not an excuse. You and your loved ones deserve better. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
More: https://bit.ly/3ZzK9MU

02/05/2026

Medication nonadherence is one of the greatest struggles for caregivers. Why do people stop taking their meds? Here are some answers: We’re in denial. We don’t think we’re sick. We’re experiencing anosognosia and lack insight into our illness. The side effects are difficult to live with. We raise our concerns about side effects, and they’re dismissed. We have gotten better and think we don’t need medication anymore. We don’t realize that our mental illness is a chronic condition requiring ongoing medication. We think people won’t notice if we come off medication. And sometimes we just want to forget we have a mental illness and taking medication is a daily reminder that we have one.
It’s important for caregivers to listen to their loved ones and take action, advocate for them with care providers. Too often, when we raise concerns, health care providers will say we’re “complaining” or worse ask us rhetorically, “don’t you want to get well?”.
If you’re experiencing an adverse side effect from a medication you can explore the following options with your prescriber: coming off or replacing the medication with an alternative, lowering the dose, taking another medication to address the side effect, finding a self care alternative that can address the side effect. Importantly, don’t stop or change a medication dose without the supervision of your doctor.
More about anosognosia: https://bit.ly/4qRUZd0

02/01/2026

Make a huge great wish February birthday gals (including me) and gents! Wishing this year is your best year ever.

01/28/2026

Psych Ward Greeting Cards – “Just call me Grandma Ellen,” she wrote on the note tucked inside her donation. Instantly, I had a picture in my mind: a gentle, kind young grandmother sitting at a table, carefully making cards—maybe with a grandchild or two nearby, love everywhere. I felt an immediate rush of warmth and comfort. So many of our donors are grandmothers, and I truly adore each and every one of them. They make the most caring cards—beautifully decorated on the outside and overflowing with love on the inside. Grandmas know things. Life has taught them the quiet power of small, thoughtful gestures. I love all the grandmas out there. I wish I had many more. Thank you to every one of our “grandma” donors—and if you know a grandma with a little free time and a big heart, please send her our way. A big, grateful hug to Grandma Ellen of Wisconsin.

01/24/2026

I am thrilled to share that Izzy (my spouse) and I will be guests on NAMI’s Ask the Expert. We are honored to share our experiences and hope with other families facing mental illness. You are not alone. Our goal is to share valuable insights that only those who’ve lived it know. Ours was a difficult journey as it is for many couples and families when one has bipolar. We met before I forgot sick and stayed together after I got sick. Every day for years I feared he might leave me. I feared I was no longer the person he loved. But enduring love enabled us to finally work together. Each challenge we overcame made us stronger and smarter - to live richer and fulfilling lives together with mental illness. Love ultimately – above all else – allowed me to reach recovery. But it could have been easier and faster if we had more knowledge, tools and other people’s example to address my mental illness. For too long, we fought each other when we should have been fighting the illness as a team. Caregivers play a critical role in shaping this journey. They can make recovery possible. That’s why we are excited to share our experience with our community – to harness the power of love to live the life that is possible together.

I hope to see you this Thursday at 4:00pm. You can register for our webinar here: https://bit.ly/45uHIyv

Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET Part one of a two-part session on relationship and family support roles. Want to learn more about how to

01/23/2026

Know your illness—learn about it on your own terms. What the media says and shows about us often oversimplifies and sensationalizes. Their portrayal of us often relies on and spreads stigma. Real understanding comes from lived experience, peer support, trusted clinicians, and evidence-based care. This knowledge and self-awareness powers recovery.

01/19/2026

Love this quote: On Self-Love & Acceptance: "You know, a lot of people don't love themselves. And they go through life with deep and haunting emotional conflicts. So the length of life means that you must love yourself. And you know what loving yourself also means? It means that you've got to accept yourself." This quote helps me. Remember and pay tribute. RIP

Martin Luther King Jr. helped lead the Civil Rights Movement.

01/16/2026

Making a medication decision is rarely simple. It’s about thoughtfully weighing the risks and the benefits. We often focus on the cons - side effects and the trial and error often required to find the right dosage. And we should. But we need to remember the pros as well - which is what it’s all for in the end. Relief, stability, clarity, and the ability to show up for your life are meaningful outcomes. You deserve informed choices, compassionate support, and hope at every step.

01/13/2026

Let this be your reminder. Hope is the best way to start the new year. Thank you to Joanne of WI for these beautiful reminders.