Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #155
A little holiday break.
Looking at the calendar for the rest of 2024, I decided this would be the final newsletter issue. The next one is scheduled for two weeks, but that falls right in the small window between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’m betting many of my readers will be spending some time offline.
I won’t be offline. I’ll be working on the 27th, but I am taking a few weeks to spend less time online, getting material for the newsletter, and giving myself a break from my usual to-do list.
Until January, I wish you the holiday you want for yourself, whatever that looks like.
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.
Sharing - Do Christmas your way.
We tend to have these odd expectations about what our Christmas Day should look like. Anything less than the Instagram-worthy family photo with matching PJs and the large dinner surrounded by a loving family is considered an unhappy holiday when this picture of a holiday isn't possible or desired for many of us.
Over the years, I've learned that Christmas is a day off. My wife and I don't have work that day, and we can do whatever we decide.
New from the blogs
Sharing - Online grooming: What it is, how it happens, and how to defend children
I'm sharing this resource from Thorn because parents need it. It can be difficult to tell the difference between someone grooming a teenager and someone just trying to be friends with a teen, and we can't expect anyone always to know the difference.
However, we can communicate openly with teens about what they are doing online. We can also stay involved with kids and their online experiences so that there are more eyes on what is happening and a safe place to turn if something seems off about what someone is asking them to do.
The Difference Between Knowledge and Life Experience
You should not feel sorry for me. This post isn't about me. As I said, I have a condition that millions of people deal with every day. I'll do the same. It's about the reality that people around us are living with things that require efforts that we don't understand. Just showing up for life every day requires effort and dedication from everyone you know. The amount of effort and challenges are different and not distributed equally. You shouldn't dismiss anyone's struggles, especially if you've not been in those same circumstances yourself.
Sharing - How giving to others can boost mental and physical health
Obviously, today, you'll hear a lot about fundraising efforts, and that's fine. However, that's only one way to give of yourself. Even small acts of kindness can positively affect our mental health and boost our outlooks. So, if you're struggling right now, feeling out of sorts with the world, etc., do something nice. Volunteer your time, give money, or notice someone who could use a small act of kindness and provide it.
Linked - Are employees getting enough mental health support in 2024?
However, what I want to talk about is the 46% of employees who are not "confident that employers care at least moderately about their mental health."
Sharing - Podcast: Countdown to Death: How Embracing Time Helps Us Live Fully
I decided to stay because I knew that, eventually, that final day was coming for me anyway. All of this was temporary.
I remind myself of that when I feel anxious or make a mistake in front of people. All of this is temporary. Whatever embarrassment I might feel at this moment, eventually, everyone involved will not be here to talk about it, and I won't be here to be embarrassed by it.
I find that freeing. It is freeing to remember that I'm only here temporarily and to remind myself that I only have so much time to do the things I want to do and make the impact on people's lives that I want to make.
Shared from Elsewhere
Speaking of the holidays, this newsletter has a solid collection of links about making it through:
It’s the expectation of perfection, every year - Therapists Reveal The 1 Toxic Thing About The Holidays We Need To Fix.
“Thank you” is a complete sentence - and a way to connect with someone by showing apprecitaion.
Truly:
It’s Never Too Late to Heal From Childhood Trauma
Louisiana’s mental healthcare system keeps failing. Why? - it’s the same story as other states and countries. Poor conditions led to closing mental health hospitals but the promised community resources are massively underfunded if they exist at all.
See also: - Mental health worsening across Canada, access to care is uneven, report says.
This “bro” culture is bad for men too. Telling us to man up and toughen up leaves men with fewer options, and it shouldn’t be surprising that more of us wind up choosing the worst one - Masculine Ideals Double Suicide Risk in Men.
We still blame victims. It’s not getting better:
Making a Difference:
Hoops for Hope will raise awareness about substance use and mental health in the BIPOC community
Noah Kahan's Busyhead Project donating $1 million this month to mental-health charities.
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter opens up on mental health struggles
Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Alec Anderson opens up about personal mental health battle
Skier Drew Petersen on shredding powder and stigmas around mental health
Snoop Dogg's Daughter Cori Broadus Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles Amid Lupus Battle
Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women’s Luncheon
From the Archives
Why Are We Lonely? It's Too Easy to Let Things Slide
It's sad, but we all do it. Instead of staying connected to the people we care about, we get busy, and our actions show that maybe these people aren't so important to us. And then, we see the chronic loneliness and mental health struggles and wonder why.
Sharing - Sex Offenders Groom Churches Too
Sex offenders who’ve gotten away with it for years, and through multiple victims, are not going to be obvious to spot. They very likely are exactly the type of person who you wouldn’t think could ever do such a thing.
That’s the point.
The Meaning of Being Traumatized as a Child
The question we often ask ourselves about being abused is the simplest one to answer, but we've gotten it twisted.
Why was I abused? Because someone else decided to abuse me.
Thanks for reading. If you find this newsletter informative and helpful, spread the word. That’s the best way to say thank you for my weekly effort.