Make It Ok; Muscatine

10/13/2026

Cannabis can cause psychosis, and most people have no idea. Here’s what the research shows:

🔹 Cannabis-induced psychosis is a recognized psychiatric diagnosis. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) can trigger hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking (American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5-TR).

🔹 In a study across 11 sites in Europe, people who used cannabis daily had about 3 times the odds of a psychotic disorder compared with people who never used. For daily use of high-potency cannabis (10% THC or higher), the odds were nearly 5 times higher (Di Forti et al., The Lancet Psychiatry, 2019).

🔹 Among people treated for cannabis-induced psychosis in Denmark, an estimated 47% were later diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder within 20 years (Starzer et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2018).

🔹 A Danish study of 6.9 million people estimated that up to 30% of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21 to 30 might have been prevented if they had not developed cannabis use disorder, meaning problematic, compulsive cannabis use (Hjorthøj et al., Psychological Medicine, 2023).

Important context: most people who use cannabis will not develop psychosis. The risk is highest with daily use, high-potency products, starting at a young age, and a family history of psychosis.

If you or someone you love has paranoia, hallucinations, or confusion after using cannabis, talk to a doctor. This post is for education and is not medical advice.

I’ll keep spreading the word. If you’re with me, share this post.

10/08/2026

This Mental Illness Awareness Week, we recognize the millions of individuals and families whose lives are profoundly affected by mental illness, and the importance of making their experiences seen, heard, and understood.

For those living with severe mental illness and the families who love and care for them, awareness is about more than a week on the calendar. It means confronting stigma. Listening to lived experience. Understanding the challenges families face. And continuing to ask how we can build a more compassionate and effective system of care.

That is why we made No One Cares About Crazy People.

Through deeply personal stories of individuals, families, caregivers, and advocates, the film brings us closer to the human realities behind severe mental illness in America.

This week, we invite you to watch. To listen. To share. And to help keep the conversation going.

No One Cares About Crazy People is now streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

WATCH NOW:
https://noonecaresfilm.com/now-streaming/

If the film moves you, please share it with someone in your life. Every person who watches helps these stories reach further.

10/04/2026

Among this year’s 2026 Healthiest State Award Winners, we’re proud to recognize Sara Carlson of Muscatine. Her leadership in bringing Make It OK to our community has created meaningful opportunities for open dialogue around mental illness. Her dedication has moved Muscatine forward — and it’s hard to imagine where we’d be without her commitment to this work. And even as we celebrate this progress, we remain focused on the work still ahead to ensure mental health conversations and resources continue to grow in Muscatine.

09/19/2026

09/19/2026

Helping break the stigma! It’s ok to not be okay!

09/14/2026

You can still register for this class! We have room for you! 💚

💚NAMI Family-to-Family starts TONIGHT💚

We’re excited to welcome our Muscatine participants to the first night of Family-to-Family, an 8-week educational program created specifically for family members, partners, and friends of adults living with a mental health condition.

🗓️Tonight, September 14 - November 2 (8 consecutive Mondays)
⏰6:00-8:30 PM
📍Muscatine Community College
✨FREE to participants, but registration is required (namigmv.org/events)

Over the next eight weeks, we’ll learn together, share experiences, build connections, and explore practical tools for navigating the challenges that can come with supporting a loved one. Most importantly, this is a space where you don’t have to feel alone💙

If you’re registered, we’ll see you tonight! We’re looking forward to starting this journey together💚

Have a last-minute question? Reach out to Emma Nelson, Program Manager, at [email protected] or (563) 888 6325.

09/14/2026

Join us this Saturday!

💚 THIS SATURDAY. One event. One community. One important reason.

Join us for the 5th Annual Mental Health 5K! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Come run, walk, support, and help us continue the conversation around mental health in our community.

📅 Saturday, September 19th
📍 NextGen Motors | 310 Cleveland Street
🎤 9:00 AM – Speakers
🏃 9:30 AM – 1-Mile Walk & 5K Start

Registration will be available the day of!

Every step helps break the stigma. We hope to see you there!

09/03/2026

Sharing a grief group opportunity. You are not alone.

08/29/2026

Hey mental health warriors! 🧠Come join our Make It Ok; Muscatine team at this year's NAMI Walks 🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️on October 10th in Bettendorf, IA. (We can carpool the day of.) Join our team here or download the NAMI Walks App, available on apple and android.

I'm supporting NAMI!