Press Releases
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Operation Soul Recovery How to Reverse the Plague of Mental Illness Sweeping America BREMERTON, Wash., April 29, 2005- Almost 20% of Americans admittedly suffer from some form of mental illness. Indeed, mental illnesses are now more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. According to the National Center for Workforce Disability, mental illness is fast becoming the leading cause of disabilities. Meanwhile murder and suicide rates soar as a result. Chances are that the black cloud of addiction or mental illness is hanging over someone you love. "Despite the grim prognosis, there is a solution," says Sheryl J. Stevens, author of Operation Soul Recovery (From Default to Purpose), "if we, as a nation, are willing to acknowledge the problem and embrace the changes that must happen to create a better outcome." Stevens has experienced first-hand the reality of these vicious disorders along with the failed recovery systems. She writes, "My youngest daughter was 14 when bulimic symptoms began. Before it began she was the kind of lovely, endearing child any parent could wish for. I watched in horror as Kelly's addictions escalated, including numerous suicide attempts over the following 20 years. High hopes were dashed throughout the countless in-patient and out-patient treatments, the changing myriad of anti-depressants, counseling, 12-step programs, religious experiences, support and prayers of friends and family…with no lasting results." From Stevens' nightmare, however, a vision of hope was born. Operation Soul Recovery provides a blueprint for an optimistic, life-giving creation that could in time reverse this rising epidemic forever. Stevens asserts, "Passion, gone awry, is what every addiction is about. Until we can see clearly the connection between mental disorders and acts of violence, there can be no such thing as peace." You can read more about her plan for change, Operation Soul Recovery, by visiting the author's web site at (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens) . The book is also available to purchase from Trafford Publishing (http://www.trafford.com/robots/02-1157.html) and most online bookstores, including Amazon (http://www.Amazon.com). CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Operation Soul Recovery: A Determined Plan to Reverse the Plague of Mental Illness That Sweeps America BREMERTON, Wash., April 5, 2005-A new book seeks attention to the crime-laden disorders of addiction and mental illness. Sheryl J. Stevens, author of Operation Soul Recovery (From Default to Purpose) (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens) , outlines a compelling strategy to turn back the on-coming tide, with a call to action. The National Mental Health Association confirms that nearly 20% of U.S. citizens admittedly suffer from some form of mental illness. The National Center for Workforce Disability states that mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease and are fast becoming the leading causes for disability. "Meanwhile murder and suicide rates sore as a result, along with millions who suffer in silence", says Stevens. "Without radical change in the current attitudes and methods of dealing with these disorders, they represent the greatest mounting threat to peace in our free society. Yet despite the grim prognosis, there is a solution-if we, as a nation, are willing to acknowledge the problems straightforwardly and embrace the changes that must happen in order to achieve a successful outcome." Stevens has experienced first-hand the reality of these vicious disorders along with the failed recovery systems, from her daughter's battle with addiction and depression. In her book she writes, "My youngest daughter was 14 when the bulimic symptoms began. Before this unexpected invasion she was the kind of lovely, endearing child any parent could wish for. Words fail to describe the horrors of Kelly's escalating multiple addictions including numerous suicide attempts that proceeded over the following 20+ years. The black cloud hung relentlessly over-head, leaving its searing mark on every family member. High hopes were dashed throughout all the in-patient (presently 11) and countless out-patient treatments, the changing myriad of anti-depressants, counseling, 12-step programs, churches, religious experiences, support and prayers of friends, family and well-meaning people…with no lasting results. It was an indescribable Hell for everyone concerned, that no human being should ever have to endure." Yet millions of others continue to suffer under the same merciless effects of these neglected problems, with still no end in sight. Nevertheless from Stevens' very nightmare, a Vision of Hope was being born. Operation Soul Recovery provides a blueprint for an optimistic, life-giving creation, that could in due time change this jaded course forever. Stevens predicts, "There could be no better way to heal our land than a willful Plan to undermine these infectious roots of evil, set the captives free, and add credible substance to the appeal that 'No one is left behind'. This-would be National Security at its best! America is like a glass house for all the world to see. What is it our enemies see that fuels such passion to destroy us? Isn't it possible that ignoring the blatant need to first clean up our own dingy corners and caves may have something to do with it? The hideouts of Mental Illness? The War on Terror should be the signal to include this forsaken element, for it runs hand in hand with the intention. Passion, gone awry, is what every 'ism' and addiction is about. Until we can see clearly the connection between mental/emotional disorders & threatening movements, and all criminal acts of violence (that are as closely related as life and breath) there can be no such thing as Peace-only more violence and the lust for punishment and revenge. As the great leader we are, why not give the peering world, especially our enemies, a brand new precedent on which to ponder, by the way we handle Soul Sickness within our own shores? If we are to embrace Freedom in its entirety, while promoting it around the world, then we must first be prepared to deal responsibly with its pitfalls, none being more urgent today than a Royal Housecleaning on the treatment of Mental Illness." To read more about "Operation Soul Recovery
(From Default to Purpose)", or to obtain a copy of the book,
visit the author's web site at (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens).
CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Operation Soul Recovery: One Mother's Vision to Halt the Progression of Mental Illness BREMERTON, Wash., Feb. 14, 2005 - According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in North America and Europe. What's more, the situation is getting worse - so much so that the organization predicts major depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability among women and children within 15 years. But, says Sheryl J. Stevens, author of the new book "Operation Soul Recovery: From Default to Purpose" (ISBN 1-55395-442-4, $13.50, (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens) , it doesn't have to be that way. In her book, Stevens, whose daughter struggled with addiction and mental illness for nearly 20 years, outlines a radical new approach to treating these disorders. Her concept includes a 90-day program for people suffering from addiction, mental illness or emotional crises, regardless of ability to pay. In Stevens' system, anyone in need of help could walk into this treatment facility, to be found in every locality, and receive the level of care he or she needed with immediate acceptance. An entirely new method of dealing with mental illness is necessary, said Stevens, because mental illness is reaching epidemic proportions, as are the numbers of crimes committed by addicted and mentally ill people; in fact, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) states that over 54 million Americans battle mental illness every year. And, as Stevens learned first-hand from her daughter's addictions, the systems currently in place to help addicts and the mentally ill are largely ineffective, in part because mental illness remains a hidden disease. "The inherited shame and denial that have accompanied these disorders for centuries still prevent us from dealing with them forthrightly," Stevens explained. "However, in the past, the number of victims did not present a significant threat to the welfare of society as it does today. It is an urgent issue that needs to be clearly acknowledged on all fronts and moved from the bottom of our priority list to the top." "Operation Soul Recovery" outlines the steps that must be taken to turn Stevens' vision into reality and curb the progression of mental illness, beginning in America. "But the effort", said Stevens, "must be spearheaded by the loved-ones of the afflicted, because most often they suffer the greater devastation from the behaviors that go along with these diseases. There is no stronger passion against evil than that born from such intense personal pain. It will be the most important factor in revolutionizing the way we treat the mentally ill. I believe the final cure will not be found in books and theories, but in the depths of wounded hearts. For within that wisdom beyond limited thoughts, lie the answers to every problem on earth, including the healing of mental illness." To read more about "Operation Soul Recovery: From Default to Purpose," visit the author's Web site at (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens). The book is also available for purchase from Trafford Publishing (http://www.trafford.com/robots/02-1157.html) and from most online bookstores, including Amazon.com (http://www.Amazon.com). "Operation Soul Recovery" is currently in the process of being established as a non-profit organization. CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Operation Soul Recovery: New Book Sheds Light on Mental Illness Epidemic BREMERTON, Wash., Jan.10, 2005 - What if every town in America had a safe place for people to go during times of emotional distress? That's the idea presented in a book just released by Trafford Publishing. Written by first-time author Sheryl J. Stevens, Operation Soul Recovery: From Default to Purpose (ISBN 1-55395-442-4, $13.50, (http://scribesworld.com/sheryljstevens) warns of the repercussions of ignoring mental illness and lays out a strategy for solving the problem. Inspired by Stevens' youngest daughter's twenty-year battle with addiction and the inability of existing recovery systems to help her, the book details a radical plan to heal addiction and mental illness-and, in the process, to heal society itself. But before the U.S. can set about addressing mental and emotional disorders on a broad scale, said Stevens, the country must recognize that addiction and mental illness, and the violence and criminal behavior they cause, are reaching crisis levels. "Since 'values' won the 2004 election, perhaps it is time to call attention to other issues that represent an even greater threat to human values than the ones voted upon in November," Stevens explained. "Operation Soul Recovery paints a clear picture of the ramifications of neglecting the millions of people who suffer from countless forms of addiction and mental illness and the troublesome effects they in turn leave upon society. The failure to genuinely face these problems has become the white elephant in our living rooms we pretend not to notice, while the victims continue to multiply faster than we dare to acknowledge." Fortunately, Operation Soul Recovery gives hope that there is a solution-if society is able to leave bureaucracy and political, religious and class differences at the door. Only then, said the author, can there be real help for the mentally ill. Having lived through the pain of a loved one's addiction, Stevens is passionate about her subject. "Pull them in from the streets, the schools, the highways and byways, the retirement homes, wherever their living hells exist, with the same single-minded rallying spirit to aid and rebuild the ruins of tornado, flood, earthquake, or war," she writes. "Every citizen of this country should have the right to know that there is a trusted place to go in times of trouble, just as assuredly as knowing where to go in times of physical emergency, whether for themselves or a loved one." In Operation Soul Recovery, Stevens provides the blueprint for creating that place. Based on decades of research and personal experience, her vision is captivating, down-to-earth, and leaves nothing to chance. Stevens pulls no punches in summarizing the state of mental health care today, but she counters the grim prognosis with authentic and heartening solutions. Operation Soul Recovery: From Default to Purpose is available at Trafford Publishing (www.trafford.com/robots/02-1157.html) and most online bookstores, including Amazon.com (www.Amazon.com), Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com) and Walden Books (www.waldenbooks.com). CONTACT:
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