The Meehl Foundation is Fighting the Battle Against Stigmas of Mental Illness
Research shows that an estimated 26.2* percent of Americans age 18 and older suffer from a mental disorder. Yet with 57.7 million people suffering, there is still a stigma against those battling diagnosable mental disorders. Debra and Mark Meehl cont
Online, August 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Brazoria, Texas (www.meehlfoundation.org) August, 2010 - In 2007, the courts in Texas rules on a s suit (ignoring the Fair Housing Act) and barred the Meehl Foundation from doing anything on their property with anyone who had a mental illness. On April 7, 2009 in appeal the court overturned this ruling and the Meehl House opening. Debra and Mark Meehl continue to work to educate on mental illness.
About Debra and Mark Meehl:
On the 4th of July a few years ago, Mark Meehl was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. After years of struggles and confusion, there was an answer. As a result of the research Mark's wife Debra compiled and the passion rediscovered in their marriage, they started the Meehl Foundation (Meehl Foundation) in an effort to help others deal with Bipolar Disorder and let them know they are not alone.
As a couple they wanted to open a residential group home as a 'retreat' for couples to learn how to save their relationships and rebuild their lives. Debra Meehl became a DBT Therapist and Skills Trainer, and together they opened The Meehl House (Meehl House). Which is one of the nation's first Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) based residential group home for individuals with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Now, the Meehl Foundation has two homes: The Meehl House and The Venn House. The Meehl House provides a 30-60 day DBT intensive residence program, and the Venn House is a DBT Transitional Home.
Statistics have proven an 87% success rate for DBT patients. This is not the typical style of communication therapy. DBT is a therapy developed with rigid guidelines that therapists must follow. It creates life skill sets teaching how to avoid living from crisis to crisis. (click for more information about DBT)
Mark and Debra Meehl have also written a book: Friends and Family Bipolar Survival Guide. Which gives information, tools, resources and help to stop the chaos and begin to successfully live in a bipolar relationship. (Friends and Family Survival Guide)
The latest win, has been the involvement and release of the new film by Life Focus TV: A Mind Misunderstood. (click to view the trailer and learn more). This film reveals real stories about the devastation Bipolar Disorder imposes on families, and the steps that one can take to receive help. The film has been airing on TBN, TLN and PBS stations.
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For additional information on the information provided, to schedule an interview or for a press kit to be mailed, please contact
Debra Meehl, D.D. MSW at meehlfou@meehlfoundation.org
or 979-798-7972
The Meehl Foundation, Inc. • P.O. Box 2089, Brazoria, TX 77422 • http://www.meehlfoundation.org
or
Jaime Bloom, JBloom Productions
at jaimebloom@yahoo.com or 404-358-7440