Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #156
Welcome to 2025
I know it’s been a little while. As I explained in the last issue, which was sent in 2024, I was taking a break during the holidays. It was a much-needed rest from cranking out content for these newsletters. I didn’t wholly disconnect; as you will see, I was still saving things to put into this issue, but I did take some time to recharge.
I hope that will translate into some new focus and energy for this newsletter. I have some ideas and things I want to try, so stay tuned. If I feel bored and uninspired, it usually means it’s time to mix things up a little.
I hope you’ll stick around for the ride and share this newsletter with your friends. I have a feeling that 2025 is going to be a year where we all need some discussion around anxiety 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.
Before we turn the page entirely to 2025. I wanted to share a little gift with you from my photography blog:
Every January first, I go through the hundreds of photos I shared on Flickr and select my favorites. If you haven’t visited my photo blog, this is a good place to start.
Finally, before we get into the usual content, this week has seen natural disasters, a former President’s memorial service, Mark Zuckerberg removing protections on Meta platforms for women, minorities, and the LGBTQ community, and what seems like never-ending wars around the world. Things are heavy. There are a lot of people hurting and at risk all around us. Look out for each other. Support each other. Spread kindness and support to each other.
New from the Blogs
Why Finding Your Current Baseline Matters
Many people give up on healing because they can't see how far they've come. They can only see how far away their ideal self is from where they are now. Sadly, this ideal is often unrealistic. We are also blind to our progress because we didn't set the baseline. We look at our status today and can only compare it to what we think we should be instead of looking back and seeing how much improvement there was.
Sharing - Maybe You're Not an Introvert. Maybe It's a Trauma Response.
The question is, would someone treating me as a young person have decided I was an introvert and possibly on the autism spectrum, or would they recognize the possible trauma I was experiencing? I'm not a medical expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I know for a fact that we miss the signs of childhood trauma often. I would not mind if we took a second look at some young people with a trauma-informed lens.
Sharing - Mental Health Leveled Up in 2024
Those are good things. Properly dealing with the mental health crisis will require more research, tools, and treatment resources. These don't grow overnight; achieving them takes years of hard work, so any progress is good news.
However, I agree with Time that the incoming Presidential Administration has not indicated a preference for continuing this work with research funding, new drug and therapy approvals, or respect for the science. That puts our progress at risk.
If you do not have significant resources available to you in terms of money, time, and connections, it is possible that the only way to get any treatment for your child is to turn them over to the state.
That's no way to care for the next generation.
Shared from Elsewhere
I have seen several articles on a similar subject since the last time we talked: the importance of connections and friendship:
A Guide On Building Lasting Connections: How to Make and Keep Friends
First Things First: Lifelong friendships improve mental health
Jack and Richard met in 1964. The power of mateship changed their lives
Prepare to be outraged by this well-researched ProPublica piece about mental healthcare - Insurers Continue to Rely on Doctors Whose Judgments Have Been Criticized by Courts.
We couldn’t enter a new year without lists like this: The Top 24 Psychology Books of 2024 and 25 Unexpected, Little Ways To Improve Your Mental Health In 2025.
Saving lives is what it is all about:
We Can’t Promise Zero Suicide, but These 4 Actions Will Save Lives
I found this interesting as someone who has dissociated in the past. It can be challenging to explain to someone unfamiliar. - Inside Dissociation
Making a Difference:
Former police officer shares mental trauma to help others going through it
Canucks to Raise Mental Health Awareness at 13th Annual Hockey Talks Night
‘We still see you’: Local nurse decorates Christmas trees for mental health awareness
Prince William and Kate announce collab with mental health charity
Meet the religious sister battling the mental health crisis in Nigeria
This Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher is taking a swing at raising mental health awareness
Teenager's book encourages pupils to talk about mental health
DK Metcalf champions mental health services for the deaf community in NFL
Professional skier raising awareness for mental health with new film
Grayson Murray's parents start foundation for mental health awareness
From the Archives
Social Connections Don't Solve Everything, But They Matter A Lot
On the other hand, when we are struggling, our first instinct is often to not get in touch with someone. It's to isolate. I suspect that is because we live in a world that has been telling us to be positive. That feeling down shouldn't be shared, lest we negatively influence our friends and be cut out of their lives. (Good vibes only, am I right?)
That's not the way any of this is supposed to work.
Similarly - What Matters Most for our Mental Health? Each Other
Still, nothing is stopping each of us from looking for and acting on these opportunities. They matter. Connecting with each other is better for everyone's mental health and happiness. It can bring a tiny bit of joy into what otherwise might be a dull day.
Quick Thought Number 6 - The Perfect is the Enemy of Showing Up
Our fear of being less than perfect isn't protecting our friends from our less-than-perfectness; it's depriving our friends of the connections they so desperately need at this time.
Good News - People Probably Like You More Than You Think They Do
The bad news, however, might be that almost everyone does this. So, instead of connecting with each other, we are each stressing over all the things we may have done wrong when we interacted, which isn't great. That makes it harder to connect with others, which has many adverse effects on our mental health.
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.