DallasNews.com (The Dallas Morning News)

06.26.06

PR Newswire
RealMentalHealth.com Announces First Social Networking Site Focusing on Treatment and Mental Wellness

MIAMI, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Real Mental Health, Inc. today announced the launch of the first social networking site focusing on mental health wellness and treatment. The Web site, http://www.RealMentalHealth.com , provides a supportive community environment where members affected by mental health conditions can share experiences. Membership to the site is free and available to anyone over 18 years of age.

"We wanted to provide a community where people would be able to share experiences and information about mental health in an environment that was supportive, understanding and interactive," explained Martin Ogawa, president of RealMentalHealth.com. "Whether you or someone close to you is affected by mental illness, we developed this site to provide you with the resources to help manage your challenges."

The online community portion of the site went live last month, and membership has grown rapidly to include thousands of visitors per month.

Tamara, whose online name is DizzyGirl, has been journaling on the site since May and says that RealMentalHealth.com is a safe haven where she can let down her guard for the first time. "Because of my schizoaffective and bipolar disorder, I couldn't open up to my neighbors or friends because I was afraid they would immediately judge me, or be shocked," Tamara explains. "On RealMentalHealth.com, everyone understands what I'm going through, because they've been in that very same place."

Soon after discovering the site, Tamara convinced her sister, Teresa, to join. "I initially joined to support my sister, but very soon, I realized how therapeutic it feels to be able to share my thoughts with people who have had similar experiences," says Teresa, who has been diagnosed with depression. "It is also a wonderful and worthwhile feeling to reach out to others and give them support and empathy. I go on the site every day -- it's like my medicine," explains Teresa, whose online name is Red Rhapsody.

While the disorders most frequently discussed on RealMentalHealth.com are depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, addictions, eating disorders, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, this list is growing and members can join any group or discussion.

"Unlike chat groups on other sites, it doesn't matter who you are, where you are, or what kind of disorder you have," says Tamara. "The site is for people first."

In addition to the journals/blogs, group forums, and chat features, RealMentalHealth.com also provides reliable and relevant treatment information, health news, special features such as audio and video clips from members, interviews with medical professionals, and many other tools to help members whose lives are affected by mental illness.

RealMentalHealth.com was developed by a team assembled by Martin Ogawa and is backed by angel investors who felt the need existed for a strong online mental health community.

About RealMentalHealth.com

RealMentalHealth.com is the first social networking site focusing on mental health treatment and wellness. The online community includes individuals, their family members, loved ones and friends who want to easily and interactively obtain knowledge about symptoms and treatments in a supportive community environment. RealMentalHealth.com complies with the HONcode standard for reliable and trustworthy health information.

For more information, please visit the RealMentalHealth.com Web site.

SOURCE Real Mental Health, Inc. -0- 06/26/2006 /CONTACT: Janice Miller, RMJ Group, LLC, +1-212-246-2523, or +1-917-494-6315, for Real Mental Health, Inc./ /Web site: http://www.realmentalhealth.com / CO: Real Mental Health, Inc.; RealMentalHealth.com ST: Florida IN: HEA MTC MLM CPR SU: PDT MR-AC -- FLM007 -- 7251 06/26/2006 08:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
 

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Reviewed: 03/2006