My name is Debb Pitel, wife of 33 years to Kevin and mother to four sons. My journey or life experience hasn’t always had a name. There was feeling overwhelmed, being emotional, there were struggles and at times, it all seemed too much to handle. Not all life lessons are taught; in my case, they were learned through experiences.  Countless times, I just needed to talk to someone whom I thought wouldn’t judge me, but instead, I remained silent. When my son Tyler began to struggle, we knew very quickly we needed help. Back 22 years ago, resources were called...Read More

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down" Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts Aches or pains, headaches,...Read More

These are taken from the National Institute of Mental Health. Identifying signs of Depression  If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling "slowed down" Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping Changes in appetite or unplanned...Read More

In this month’s article, let’s take a greater look at - Who is Debb Pitel?  Why No One Stands Alone? What is the mission of this non-profit? The mission of No One Stands Alone is simply this: Connecting community to care. It started with Debb’s journey and experience, which is outlined in her book, I’m Still Your Mom. In it,she speaks of her difficulties in navigating mental health resources for her son, Tyler, whom she desperately wanted to help.  At that time, her objective was to find those resources that would help her family. Although they were able to access...Read More

By Katie As an introvert, I have always been quiet and shy. I don’t enjoy large crowds, and spending time with others leaves me drained. Small talk does not come easy to me, nor does talking to people in general. I have a small group of friends, but I’m okay with that. Overall, I was a fairly balanced kid in elementary and high school. Then came my first year to college. The anxiety I have dealt with in the past was nothing compared to the anxiety I had felt during my first year in college. Throughout my experience in college,...Read More