Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #152
It's November and it's stressful
With the turning of the calendar to November today, and what that means to many of us in the United States, I thought it would only be appropriate to share these links with you in the newsletter.
A divided country agrees: The election is stressing everyone out
Also, this is happening this week too - Falling Back an Hour Could Impact Your 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.
Frankly, the world seems like a lot right now because it is. Be gentle with yourself and each other. We often hear mental health advocates talk about all the battles struggles people may be having that we don’t know about and the need to be kind. Right now, we know that everyone is at least struggling with all of this on top of whatever they may be struggling with individually.
Be kind. Share kindness. Find bits of joy and share them with each other.
New from the Blogs
Clean Up the Spot in Front of You
I enjoyed this clip of Henry Rollins talking about being overwhelmed by the pain and injustice he has seen in his travels.
He recognizes that he is "one guy." He can't possibly fix all of it, and trying to would be pointless. So he sees the opportunities where he can make a difference and hopes that more of us will try to "clean the spots" we can, as well.
And those little differences start to add up...
Another Reason It Might be Hard to Find a Therapist Who Takes Your Insurance
If you worked for someone who paid your salary and came back a year or two later and said you had to give it back, you wouldn't work for them any longer. That's what is happening with these insurance clawbacks. Given everything we know about how difficult insurance companies make it for therapists just to get paid, is it any wonder it's so difficult to find one in network with your insurance?
Sharing - What not to say to someone with mental health issues.
In my own experience, at my worst, I was alone. I made people uncomfortable because they didn't know what to say or how to fix me. The truth was I didn't need them to fix me. I needed them to treat me like they did before. They needed to talk to me about the ball game or the latest music they were listening to and stay connected to me somehow. I couldn't speak to them about what I was going through, and I didn't have the words to convey the pain I was in, but it would have done so much good to have someone remind me that I was still me, in the midst of all that.
Linked - Why Workplace Well-Being Programs Don’t Achieve Better Outcomes
Well-being programs place the responsibility for managing employee mental health in the hands of the employees, who have no power to change the things causing the problem.
Shared from Elsewhere
The fact that we are still trying to get rid of the term is frustrating. - Let's Modify the Stranger Danger Narrative.
I know too many people who this might apply to. I’m willing to bet you do as well - How to Heal After a Layoff
Also during this time - On protection and rest:
We know this is true. Lack of support for anyone is damaging to their mental health. - The effect of anti-trans laws on LGBTQ+ youth mental health.
This might be a tough question for survivors - Are You Comfortable in Your Body?
Making a difference:
Women in AI: Dr. Rebecca Portnoff is protecting children from harmful deepfakes
DeMar DeRozan's book on mental health adds to the conversation that he helped start in the NBA
Slash's S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival Raises Over $125K For Mental Health Initiatives And Charity
From the Archives
When You’re A Kid, You Don’t Know It Happens To Anyone Else
At age 11, we think we are the only people in the world dealing with this. How would we know any different?
We’d know if there were more people willing to tell their stories and let others know they are not alone and that there is hope.
We act as if we can spot a pedophile from 500 feet away when the truth is that if they were that easy to spot, we wouldn’t have the epidemic of childhood sexual abuse that we do.
The Many Ways We Invalidate Someone's Story
We could also talk about abuse here, too, and all the ways our stories are invalidated. How many of these have you heard from folks who find out about the abuse you dealt with as a child, or even as an adult:
"You were young, you'll get over it" (Or you don't remember it that well)
"Are you sure it was abuse?"
"I can't imagine (abuser) doing that."
"Why didn't you just leave?"
"How could you have let that happen?"
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.