Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #120
Welcome to 2024.
And just like that, we are back from the holidays and on the regular weekly publishing schedule. That was fast. As you’ll see in a blog post below, I don’t have much to say about my reflections on 2023. For much of the year, it just sucked. But not all of it was horrible.
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.
As proof, as I do every year, I shared my favorite photos from 2023 on my photo blog. (Including the one above.)
I don’t talk about the photo blog here a lot. I try to stay on topic for the most part. But, if you’re interested in seeing little bits of fun and beauty daily, I hope you can find it there. And let me know if you want to see more of that sprinkled in here, too.
New from the Blogs
Ending the Year With a Perfect Metaphor for 2023
This was the story of 2023 for me. I was sitting in the car, trying to catch my breath, my face swollen, sunglasses no longer completely on my face, lamenting what I should have done differently.
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.
Sharing - More than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023 — more than any year on record
Does American society care about mental illness or not? Right now, I would argue that our society would get a failing grade on whether we care.
Reviews Elsewhere - The 5 Resets by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar
The list of five may not surprise anyone, but as you look at what you want to prioritize in the new year, these five things might be helpful, especially finding quiet time and breaks from all the noise in life to focus on what matters to you the most.
Shared from Elsewhere
Tired of all the “new year” messages on social media? - Navigating the New Year: Coping With the Social and Personal Pressures of Positive Beginnings and Resolutions
Americans are lonely and it’s killing them. How the US can combat this new epidemic. - We’ve seen a lot of this research, but you have to admit this headline will get some attention.
Speaking of connections - The Power of Relationships in Our Lives
Social Media could be a source of those connections that benefit us, or they could do the opposite - Social Media and Mental Health: Connections and Concerns.
Men’s Mental Health: The Importance of Seeking Support Networks. - Do these support networks even exist for many men?
A topic I haven’t talked about nearly enough because I have no lived experience, but which I should share more from people who do - Navigating Bipolar Disorder: Key Information on Diagnosis and Treatment.
It’s probably not the same thing as it means to me, or a lot of other people - What does self-care look like to you?
Americans on Medicare now get better access to mental health care. Here's how. - It’s a little bit of good news. I’ll take it.
Is it any wonder we are all feeling these impacts? Consider these headlines:
At the end of the day, we’re all in this shit and it’s not going to go away soon.
Finally, some important topics -
From the Archives
Link – Suicides Don’t Increase During the Holidays, and Why That Matters
It’s true, depression is an all-year thing. Don’t make the assumption that by supporting someone during the holidays that they’re in the clear. Check in on the people you love any time.
Today, I Had to Say I’m Not OK
I had to follow my own advice yesterday, and do something that wasn’t easy, and made me feel weak. I had to admit that I’m not OK
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 to you, spread the word. That’s the best way you can say thank you for the effort I put in each week.