Publications & Presentations

Sharing insight, hope, and lived experience to redefine recovery.

Sarah Merritt Ryan’s published work and presentations are used by universities, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations to deepen understanding of emotional recovery from psychosis. From webinars and speaking series with NAMI NC to international publications with Teva Life Effects, Sarah brings an articulate, lived-experience voice to conversations about healing, resilience, and hope.

Explore selected articles, short stories, and presentations that highlight the emotional side of recovery - where science meets humanity, and lived experience brings insight to life.

Life After Psychosis Series

The Life After Psychosis Series explores the realities of life after a psychotic event, or for those living with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. This group will feature a presentation on a topic related to psychosis with author and support group facilitator Sarah Merritt Ryan, followed by a Q&A. Group meetings are designed to provide hope and healing to those navigating early recovery by allowing them to learn from others’ experiences, and know they are not alone.

 Register Here

Videos

Social and Cultural Myths Surrounding the Use of Antipsychotic Medicines

Thursdays With NAMI on Anosognosia

NAMI at Noon: Early Recovery from Psychosis

Welcoming Wellness: Empowering Mental Health, Battling Stigma, Staying Positive and Well

Podcast Appearances

Sarah joined The Empowering Minds Mental Health™ Podcast to her experience with psychosis and recovery. Sarah discussed her journey from being overprescribed Adderall in college to experiencing multiple psychotic breaks over a two-year period, highlighting the importance of emotional recovery alongside cognitive recovery. She emphasized how emotional recovery involves trusting and believing in oneself, navigating stigma around antipsychotic medication, and building a support system. Sarah recommended NAMI support groups, therapy, and maintaining hope as key components for early recovery, while also sharing her ongoing work as a speaker and writer focused on mental health education and stigma reduction. 

Watch below, or Listen Here. 

Articles

Schizophrenia Bulletin Open

Writer's Digest

Psychology Today

Life Effects Blog with Teva Pharmaceuticals

National Alliance for Mental Illness Blog at Nami.org

5 West

NAMI Wake County in North Carolina

Life After Psychosis Monthly Call with NAMI NC

Come join us for our monthly call, Life After Psychosis: A Series on Topics Related to Recovery from Psychosis. I do a presentation based on a blog topic of choice from Psychology Today, hosted by Shereka Littlejohn Dunston, MSW, MS, Director of Programs & Initiatives from NAMI NC. We have the virtual call the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Sign up online here:

 Sign Up Here

Short Stories on Mental Illness

  • “The Warmth Between Us” (2025). Short story in The TAF Omnibus Vol. IV. Triangle Association of Freelancers. Edited by Arlene Bice.

Published Poetry on Emotionally Surviving Trauma

  • “My Soul to Keep: Faith in the Midst of Suffering Leads to Deliverance and Praise,” Forthcoming in 2027 with Prolific Pulse Press.
  • “Buried” and “Responsibility.” The TAF Omnibus III: Triangle Association of Freelancers (Stories & Poems). Edited by Arlene S. Bice. 2024.
  • “Daughter,” “Live Twice,” and “Oak,” Fine Lines Literary Journal. Spring 2024 Edition.
  • “My Head Space.” A Safe and Brave Space Poetry Anthology, by The Garden of Neuro Institute. Garden of Neuro Publishing. June 9, 2024.
  • “Just Dance.” in Cadence: Life’s Poetic Rhythms, Anthology by Prolific Pulse Press, LLC. June 21, 2024.
  • “Because I Am Me,” “Mending Truth,” and “Hiding or Telling.” The TAF Omnibus II: Triangle Association of Freelancers (Stories & Poems). Edited by Arlene S. Bice. 2023.
  • “Still and Brave.” iDear Heart Anthology. Edited by Lisa Tomey. Prolific Pulse Press, LLC, 2023. Pp. 41-43.
  • “Truth,” “Alive,” and “Fallen Blue.” The TAF Omnibus: Triangle Association of Freelancers (Stories & Poems). Edited by Arlene S. Bice. Pp. 137-139. 2022.
  • “Heart.” Hope Whispers: An Anthology of Inspirational Poems and Short Stories, Edited by Lynn C. Johnston. Whispering Angel Books, 2009. P.12.

Presentation Types

  • Case study, Early recovery from psychosis, Why People Don’t Get Treated for Mental Illness, Why Taking Antipsychotics is Hard due to cultural myths, and I can work with people to customize any other type of presentation in mind.