Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #123
Another Week of Things To Do
Some weeks just feel long and short at the same time. Like, there’s so much to do, but the weather is dreary so the motivation is a bit waning, which just leads to anxiety about getting all the things done, and so on.
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’s not a terribly healthy way to live long-term. In the short term, I’ll get through this week, and I usually find a better balance between the things I need to get done and the time I need to do them and still take care of myself.
For too many people this is chronic and it’s not always their fault. Below you’ll find a link to a blog post about the workplace. I want us all to consider for a moment that the growing number of people suffering from burnout isn’t because we all just forgot how to handle stress, but because the world and the workplace have become places that create more of it. Poor management, overwork, unfair labor practices, sexism or racism, etc.
A lunch hour yoga class isn’t going to help that. A 15 minute meditation each morning isn’t going to make the world a safer and less stressful place. These are big problems that will require much larger solutions. So do all the self-care you need, but let’s not forget we have some big fights in front of us to solve the mental health crisis.
New from the Blogs
Reading it was a nice reminder of the positive things happening around the world regarding green energy, health issues, etc. On the other hand, a few made me stop and angered me a bit because they are true, yet so many people don't see it, or because the good story could be better if only we'd learn from it.
Sharing - How I Misunderstood the Meaning of Rest
I say this applies to all forms of self-care because we have a culture that tells us all the time that being productive and getting things done is the entire basis of our value as human beings. Naturally, we look at activities like resting, eating, and other forms of self-care as a necessary part of being productive, but we never see their value on their own. We're resting because we worked hard during the week or because our bodies are exhausted and need a refresh before returning to it. We eat because we need the calories to burn. We meditate so that we can focus better on our work. We spend time with others to build relationships and extend our network. We read to seem interesting to others.
We never do things just because we want to.
Linked - Attaining Work-Life Balance in an Era of Burnout
Clear, realistic expectations. Clearly defined roles. Open communication. Fair treatment.
This shouldn't be that difficult, and yet here we are.
That last one was written about the workplace and managers helping employees not get burned out, but I feel like this is a good example of something that works with personal relationships too. What do you think?
Shared from Elsewhere
This is still, sadly, true:
World Mental Health Day: Treatment Remains a Challenge Around the World
It’s always interesting to me when people share this kind of article about boundaries, and then turn around and get angry when someone else tries to set them. But it is an important part of a healthy life - On Boundaries.
Another important part of a healthy life is a strong support system - Little Known Benefits of a Strong Support System
And a couple of related topics in terms of understanding the systemic problems that create or exacerbate mental health issues - Unjust: how inequality and mental health intertwine and Long-Term Solutions to the Overincarceration of People With Mental Health Disabilities.
How Photography Can Improve Mental Health - I love photography. It probably is good for my mental health, but as I stated in one of the links above, I do it just because I enjoy it, which helps my mental health because I’m doing something I enjoy.
From the Archives
You Are An Individual, not a Study
In the end, you are you. What works for 51% of the population doesn’t work for the other 49%, even if we use those numbers to say it works “most of the time”. Being part of the other 49% isn’t that unbelievable.
Bad Managers Cause Poor Mental Health
In the article, Elizabeth Rimmer describes some ways that poor management can harm employees’ mental health, from outright hostility to lack of inclusive practices to simply not communicating with their team. Poor managers create atmospheres that are fearful, uncertain, and unfair. Working in fear and uncertainty and dealing with racism or sexism can lead to poorer mental health outcomes.
The bottom line is if no rape or abuse victim is ever to blame, then you can't also argue that someone deserves to be raped.
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.