Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #149

New section - people making a difference

Sep 20, 2024

Do Something Great neon sign — Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

I’m tired. I’m tired of seeing people be awful to one another. I’m tired of the lies. I’m tired of the news, and I’m tired of social media.

I know many of you are, as well.

Starting with this issue in the newsletter, I’m taking a small step to address it. For each issue, I’ll link to stories of people making a difference in child abuse and mental health.

Thank you for reading the Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors newsletter. Each week, I share new blog posts and other resources that aim to help survivors of childhood abuse and those who are struggling with mental health issues feel less alone as we discuss the issues surrounding our issues.

For more information about me and why this newsletter exists, visit the website - Child Abuse Survivor.

It’ll just be a list of links. I will have no notes; it is just a place where we can all see examples of people trying to influence the world and their communities positively. Examples may include famous people speaking out or starting new initiatives or local groups trying to help people in need.

Mostly, it’s a way to force myself to look for people doing their best so that I can combat cynicism. Hopefully, it helps you do the same.

So, here’s what I found for this issue:

Where have you seen people making a difference this week?

New from the Blogs

World Suicide Prevention Day is Also Hurricane Prep Day This Year for Me

I had considered writing something about Suicide Prevention Day as it approached, but then we also found out that Francine is approaching as well, and my attention has been on hurricane prep instead of writing for the blog.

As I sit here early in the evening, though, it occurs to me that my focus on working and also preparing for the storm is a metaphor for suicide prevention. Consider:

You have to prepare for the worst and make all of your plans before the storm arrives. Once the storm is on you, stocking up on water, charging your electronics, figuring out your escape route, etc., is impossible. It's too late.

Review - The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen

It will leave you asking more questions than it provides answers, but these are questions we should be asking.

Sharing - Is Friendship Therapy the Next Big Thing in Mental Health?

It sounds odd to me. But I realize that may be because I grew up and live in a society that doesn't place enough value on friendship. If I want to value my friends more, why wouldn't I do whatever I could to stay connected to my closest friends? Therapy could be a viable alternative to ending close friendships and losing connections that make a difference in our lives.

So, why not friendship therapy?

I’ve been reading the book “Madness - Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum” recently and was reminded of this photo I took in Mississippi earlier this year. The use of mental asylums to hold black people who didn’t conform, and the public statements about them being dangerous criminals and Communists, and anyone who protested for better treatment being a Communist sympathizer is still very prevalent in our politics today. We fail to learn from history over and over. This history isn’t very different from what we are constantly told about many groups today. Instead of getting support and proper resources, we are taught to be frightened of them.

childabusesurvivornet

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Shared from Elsewhere

In the last issue, I linked an article about therapists who had to leave insurance networks. That was just the start of this series from ProPublica that is worth your time:

America’s Mental Barrier

This is always important - Breaking the stigma of 'man up'

This was some excellent reporting from the Dayton Daily News. You should follow the links to read the series:

Mental Health Matters: 7 takeaways from our initial reporting on Kids in Crisis

jayyanginspires

A post shared by @jayyanginspires

Talking about mental health makes a difference - The power to save: Why talking about mental health matters

This is why we talk about mental health and suicide prevention.

6,929 birthday balloons 🎈 to remember 6,929 lives and the birthdays they didn’t get to celebrate ❤️ This moving ‘Missed Birthdays’ campaign by @calmzone has just popped up inside @westfieldlondon to represent the number of young people who’ve lost their lives to suicide over the last decade

londonbits_

A post shared by @londonbits_

From the Archives

Quick Thought #15 – Do what you can, it’s good for you.

As the research suggests, I don’t want to make the claim that doing good things will bring you never-ending happiness and health, but it does have an effect. Maybe more importantly, the more people willing to do small, “good” things, the greater the overall effect on society at large. Maybe that’s the biggest takeaway I’ve got.

No Shortcuts to Healing

So, as a survivor, understand that there are no shortcuts and no right way to heal. Don't expect there to be a quick way to heal from something that has impacted your entire life up until now. As I always say, we didn't get to this point overnight, and we won't heal overnight either. It's work.

On the other hand, know that you can heal. Starting down that path may be one of the hardest things you've done, but it will be worth it. Nothing worth having comes easy, but since you've survived the trauma, you will survive the healing work, too.

Sharing – Victims of child sexual abuse felt stereotyped after disclosing experiences

Look, it’s hard enough to come forward and talk about something that most people don’t want to hear about in the first place, and deal with the consequences that coming forward may bring. We shouldn’t also have to deal with people stereotyping us in ways that are harmful too.

Thanks for reading. If you find this newsletter informative and helpful, please spread the word. That’s the best way to thank me for my weekly effort.

Child Abuse and Mental Health Information

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