Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #103
Wham, it's September
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. If you’ve tried to follow the resources I share on social media and find that the algorithm has decided for you to not show you the things we post, this is the best way to get caught up each week.
For more information about me and why this newsletter exists visit the website - Child Abuse Survivor.
Welcome to September. I’d like to think that’s it now the season for football, pumpkin spice, wearing a jacket, maybe some hot tea. But, our high temperature is still set to be 95F today so, at least in Louisiana, it’s still very much Summer. It’s been a long Summer. The heat and humidity has been unbearable most days, I’ve been unemployed since the end of April and my days have consisted of looking for work, writing, researching, and trying to not go too stir crazy.
There’s a light at the end of the unemployment tunnel, (more on that next week) but I know so many others who are in a similar situation. It’s tough. Trying to be social is often too much, but you know you need to do it. All of the issues of the world are right there to add to the anxiety of the job search. (Easily one of the most stressful events in adult life.)
All of that is to say, that if you’re struggling with life right now, whether from unemployment, underemployment, cost of living increases, the breakup of relationships, or whatever else is adding to all the anxiety of life right now, I see you. You are not alone. There are so many others in the same struggle, find them and connect with them.
And if you’re not struggling with life right now, know that there are people around you who are, and consider some the links being shared this week. Stay connected to the people in your life, no matter what they are going through.
New from the Blogs
Mental Health Benefits of Sleep - Not Equally Distributed
It's an easy copout for the mental health community to suggest self-care items that will help with mental health without acknowledging the reality for many. Telling people to do things like create more space for sleep, or make healthier food choices while still not making a wage that would pay for those things is just mean. What we do as a society matters when it comes to the mental health of all of our members. We can't hide from that fact.
Another Example of our Environment Impacting Mental Health Solutions
Telling people who are struggling to afford any food at all to buy more expensive, healthier food is like telling someone who missed the bus to go buy a BMW to solve their transportation problem. Sure, having a BMW would provide for their transportation needs, but it's not a solution that is available to them.
Some Research on Loneliness and Mental Health
Overall though, this is more evidence of how much our mental health suffers when we do not feel part of a community. We all can play a role in making sure our community is embracing people who need that social connection.
Shared from Elsewhere
Similar to the new posts from the blog, this story asks some important questions about what therapy can help versus what it can’t help with, and how our mental health system continues to fall short. - Therapy Isn't Fixing America's Mental Health Crisis
Also this - Social Connection for Healing
And this - Challenging Stigma: Building an Inclusive and Empathetic Society
How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media and Mental Health - It's more complicated than politicians would tell you it is. Make sure you're not leaving kids to figure it out on their own.
Youth suicide prevention is the topic of this conversation on Mental Health Matters that might be of interest. It’s clearly a growing problem in the US.
Always an important skill - How to be a good listener - and how to know when you're doing it right
Which is related to this on relationships - The Power of Vulnerability: How To Create Deeper Connections
From the Archives
I’ve already survived, and I know how to overcome some horrible things. So have you.
Have the confidence in yourself to know that you can survive whatever may happen.
Reminder – Sometimes Anxiety is Normal
There are times when feeling anxious, is normal. There are things in life that make us feel anxious, and we can, and should, just allow ourselves to feel anxious about them. We should not try and fix that, or spend an inordinate amount of time creating more anxiety trying to figure out why we feel anxious about something, when being anxious is the appropriate response.
Journalism and Mental Health Resources
There are a ton of links from there. What I found unique about the page is that they are tackling the issue from two different perspectives. One, how journalists should write about mental health and people dealing with mental illnesses or PTSD from traumatic events, and secondly, how to take care of their mental health as they cover war, disaster, etc.
Thanks for reading. If you find this newsletter informative and helpful to you, spread the word. That’s the best way you can say thank you for the effort I put in each week.