Child Abuse and Mental Health Survivors Information - Issue #138
How much of the youth mental health crisis is a childhood maltreatment crisis?
According to a University of Sydney study, we can put a number on it.
40 Percent of Mental Illnesses Linked to Childhood Maltreatment
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.
This makes me wonder, given the headlines blaming social media, smartphones, Hollywood, video games, etc., if what we are really seeing are more kids growing up with maltreatment.
Of course, this study was conducted in Australia, so we can’t assume it’s true everywhere, but it’s something to consider. We’ve heard many calls about the epidemic of mental health issues; maybe it’s time to look at this, too:
The researchers said the results are a wakeup call for childhood abuse and neglect to be treated as a national public health priority.
New from the Blogs
Sharing - Wording On Social Media Can Influence Views On Mental Health
I'm going to consider this as I write going forward. Not that I'll suddenly become the source of toxic positivity, but I will think more about hope, healing, and growth because as hard as many things are, there is hope. We should remind people of that.
If you plan to talk about mental health topics, take a look at the research.
Sharing - Screen Time Shenanigans For Your Mental Health
I'm linking to this not because I think we should all give up on finding a better balance between screen time and in-person time but because I want to remind all of us that simply taking away screens from someone struggling or kids is possibly taking away a lifeline, too. There are dangerous things out here on the internet, but there are also a lot of good, positive experiences.
Shared from Elsewhere
This is important to understand and to consider when talking to trauma survivors. - When Forgiveness Can Be Detrimental to Trauma Recovery
We shouldn’t say many things, and we shouldn’t feel the need to say “something” either. - What to Say to (and Not Say) to Someone Who Is Depressed
I’ve talked many times about friendship and connection, but even small interactions with strangers can impact our mental health. - Stranger Synergy: The Unseen Bonds That Shape Human Happiness.
This makes sense. We all need downtime. - Being Too Busy Is Bad For Mental Health, Psychologist Warns
May 9th was Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
I recently had the chance to go to a couple of concerts, which is something I haven’t done a lot of over the last few years. I felt the mood improvement and the energy boost. We started making plans to attend more. How about you? - Therapeutic Effects of Music on Mental Health.
From the Archives
Link – How Brain Handles Trauma Could Explain a Lot About Sexual Abuse Survivors’ Testimony
Eventually, I hope that as we come to understand the information in this article and learn more about how the brain processes and stores traumatic memories, we can find a better path to justice and a lot more understanding and compassion for survivors who don’t have a coherent story and timeline to their abuse.
Rock Bottom Revisited – A Personal Story
There is nothing about that place that is the same as it was 20 years ago. And there’s very little about me that is the same as it was 20 years ago either.
Sharing My Own Story With Tiffany Werhner on Moments of Clarity
Tiffany passed away last year, so seeing this come up in the archives was a little bittersweet. Still, this was a fun interview, and I think we can still reach survivors with the video.
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.
❤️