Sophie Littlefield
banner
sophiebrain.bsky.social
Sophie Littlefield
@sophiebrain.bsky.social
Author, brain nerd, advocate. I support loved ones with schizophrenia. Check out my articles: https://linktr.ee/thesophiebrain
🚨 CALIFORNIA Gov. Newsom slashed funding for peer-run Warm Line by 75%. They provide what hospitals and cops can't: lifesaving peer support from someone who's been there. Tell Newsom our loved ones are NOT expendable:
📞 (916) 445-2841
#MentalHealthMatters #CaliforniaBudget #PeerSupport
August 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
1/3 🧵 Just sent @newyorker.com a scathing letter...

"Mary Had Schizophrenia—Then Suddenly She Didn't," risks
convincing SMI families their loved ones need expensive testing for conditions affecting <5% of cases. This is dangerous health misinformation...
July 30, 2025 at 4:58 PM
1/3 As an SMI mom and carer, I've got something to say about the White House homelessness order, which says moving unhoused people to "long-term institutional settings" will "restore public order."

The truth: this isn't about helping people. It's about hiding them. #DisabilityJustice #Homelessness
July 28, 2025 at 5:13 PM
1/3 Researchers at USC just developed the world's first wearable lithium sensor that monitors medication levels through sweat. For people with bipolar disorder who take lithium, this could mean an end to mandatory blood draws...
July 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
🧵 1/4 Schizophrenia Tip #17: Collaborative Calendar-Keeping 🤝

Most people with schizophrenia want to maintain their health, but need support systems that respect their experience AND their brains.

#CollaborativeCare #Schizophrenia
July 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
SZ Tip 16: Offer practical help 🧠

Executive function challenges in schizophrenia are REAL and neurological. Sometimes loved ones might struggle to organize pills or return calls.
Helpful: "I'm headed to the grocery—send me your list?"
Not helpful: "Stop making excuses"

#SchizophreniaSupport
July 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
3/3 This controversy exists because we don't have enough providers with lived experience who are willing to talk about it. Having a mental health condition can be an ASSET when seeking to help others. If you haven't been there, talk to someone who has before treating. #psychiatry #SSRI #withdrawal
July 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
It's Alcohol Awareness Week in the UK🇬🇧. The US message is "drink responsibly"... the UK has "no wrong door" policies: no one gets turned away when seeking services.

A real US alcohol awareness campaign would support everyone with a problem...full stop.
#DualDiagnosis #HealthcareEquity 🏳️‍🌈
July 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
3/3 We must demand data protection standards that actually protect vulnerable populations. And NOTHING should be developed or marketed without lived experience voices at every step.

The research is promising. Let's just do this right.

#DigitalMentalHealth #DataPrivacy #SMIFamilies
July 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Crisis prep for SMI families 🆘

Search, print + post:
- Mobile crisis team
- Crisis intervention services
- Psychiatric emergency contacts

Your NAMI chapter knows what works where you are. Start there.

Being prepared is love in action. 💙
July 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Prison peer counselors are providing mental health crisis intervention...because the system won't. Derek's story in @mindsitenews.bsky.social is yet another example of the power of peer support (an 88.9% reduction in the suicide rate) when the system fails AGAIN.

mindsitenews.org/2025/06/26/p...
July 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
8/ Maurice Anthony and 8 other plaintiffs are fighting for every person with a disability who's been imprisoned and forgotten.

𝗪𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 "𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀."

Follow this case. Share these stories. 💛

‪@solitaryconf.bsky.social‬
#SolitaryConfinement #DisabilityRights
July 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This Disability Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈, I couldn't be prouder of my daughter Sally 💜 Not because her schizoaffective disorder is something to overcome, but because she refuses to let stigma, inadequate systems, and discrimination limit her.

#DisabilityPride #SMIFamilies #schizophrenia
July 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM
🧵 1/4 A voice we need to hear: Paolo Del Vecchio devoted 30 years to federal mental health policy.

Del Vecchio was the FIRST person with lived experience hired at SAMHSA—and only because activists literally staged a sit-in demanding representation. That's how change happens. 💪
June 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My new article about building empathy as an SMI caregiver offers practical advice, including the "one percent technique" that changed the way my daughter and I communicate during psychosis. 🧠💙
#Schizophrenia #CaregiverSupport schizophrenia.mental-health-community.com/living/build...
June 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Sz Tip 12: Respect Their Space 🤲

People with schizophrenia need solitude, quiet time, and autonomy...often more than feels right to us caregivers. But honoring their need for space--even when our instincts say "stay close"--now that's badass love.

#Schizophrenia #Boundaries #CaregiverLife
June 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Today I'm grateful for the men who keep showing up even when mental illness makes life complicated. Here's to my dad and my partner, who have been there every step of the way. Because sometimes it takes a team to do the dad job. 💛 #FathersDay #MentalHealthAwareness #ChosenFamily
June 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
SZ Tip #11: 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 🏠✨
How to work WITH neurological differences, not against them:
🔹 Soft lighting 🔹 Clutter = sensory overwhelm 🔹 Designated quiet areas 🔹 Stable - not sterile!
EVERYONE benefits - sensory-friendly spaces are just... better.

#Schizophrenia #MentalHealthSupport
June 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸: Caregiving for family with mental health conditions means 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗔.
Celebrating at In-N-Out instead of French Laundry? That's our speed. 🍔
With social program cuts looming, a reminder:
• 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲

#CaregiverLife #MentalHealthAdvocacy
June 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
For people living with schizophrenia, social interactions can be challenging, so a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. 🤝

- Ask if it's a good time for company
- Recognize that additional personal space may be needed
- Be prepared to leave early if needed

#SchizophreniaSupport
May 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Today is World Schizophrenia Day 🧠✨

NAMI's Family-to-Family class, community support, and caregiver resources literally saved us during our darkest moments 💙

Check out your local NAMI chapter—their support might be exactly what you need.

#WorldSchizophreniaDay #CaregiverSupport #MyMentalHealth
May 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The language of healing is constantly evolving ✨
From "dual diagnosis" (1980s) → "co-occurring disorders" (2000s) → ???

I'm genuinely not sure how best to talk about substance use and mental health together...

Anyone want to share what term you prefer and why?

#MentalHealth #WordsMatter
May 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
✨ Tip 10 in my Schizophrenia Support Series: Celebrate the little wins! 🎉

Recovery isn't just about reducing symptoms—it's about reclaiming autonomy, identity, and meaning. The smallest steps forward sometimes represent huge victories. 💫

#SchizophreniaSupport #MentalHealthJourney #PatientAutonomy
May 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
📊 Proposed $880B+ cuts to Medicaid threaten vital addiction services for people leaving incarceration who are 40x more likely to suffer fatal overdoses in the first two weeks after release. Americans depend on Medicaid & CHIP! ✊
#HealthcareJustice #MedicaidSavesLives #ReentrySupport
May 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
✨ Tip 7 in my Schizophrenia Support Series: Ask "How are you feeling?" …and then actually listen to the answer 👂
The urge to give advice is strong but WRONG. People with schizophrenia are experts in their own experience—honor that!
#Schizophrenia #SzSupport #SzCaregiving #EndTheStigma
May 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM