Child Abuse Survivor - Issue #162
Hope is the key
Today seems like a good day to share this post from the Trauma to Strength newsletter on Substack because I often remind myself of the key message.
It’s also one of the two keys that got me through my worst days. I was curious and had enough hope to wonder if I might see something I hadn’t seen before. It seemed worth hanging around the next day to see what might happen.
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.
We can survive anything if we have hope things will get better. If you take it away, you take away life.
Possibly the most damaging thing we can do to another person is rob them of hope. As a survivor, being told that being abused made me “damaged goods” beyond the hope of ever being happy was not only wrong, it was unimaginably hurtful.
It’s also a message I gave myself for too many years. I’m done with that. None of us are beyond hope, and people trying to take hope away from us right now are dangerous.
Anyone with your best interest in mind would not take away your hope but would do everything in their power to give it to you.
New from the Blogs
No, kids don't get over it without help.
The truth is that abuse victims can be resilient, but generally not on their own. We also know that it doesn't end there.
Sharing - 'We Know How to Solve the Mental Health Crisis. Will We Actually Do It?'
The reality is that we know what kinds of societal change will positively impact mental health. We know that poverty, pollution, discrimination, violence, etc., are environmental factors that harm mental health. We know that medication, exercise, touching grass, etc. won't make the slightest difference for those factors. (They may help some of the things that factor into mental health issues, but when you're unhoused or being discriminated against, a walk in the park won't change that.)
We also know what it will take to correct some of those environmental factors, lift people out of poverty, invest in local resources to support each other, eradicate discrimination by creating inclusive programs aimed at the needs of different groups, etc.
The only question is whether we care enough to do those things, and the overwhelming answer we've gotten in recent months is no.
Pay people enough money so that they can live and stop the mass layoffs every time the stock price dips a little bit. Much of the financial stress people face is because they don't make enough money to pay for things like childcare and are constantly worried about losing their jobs. If you want to help your employees struggling with stress, anxiety, and burnout, there's a good place to start.
Related to those last two links - Discrimination exposure found to raise anxiety, depression risks among racial and ethnic groups, also, from a couple of years ago - When it Comes to Mental Health Finances Matter
Sharing - How to Spot Misinformation About Mental Health Online
Over the years, I've learned a lot about mental health from online sources. I've also seen a lot of false information being shared as well. Some of it is from misunderstanding evidence, but most comes from someone with something to sell. There have been far too many people sharing quick "cures" and lifehacks that will treat depression and anxiety and heal us from trauma that have gone viral, and far fewer honest voices telling the truth about the solutions that are available to support mental health across society, and how complicated it can be when what the media says will work doesn't work for an individual, because they are, in fact, an individual.
A related link - How to Teach Your Child to Identify Fact from Fiction.
Sharing - Taking Care Of Your Mental Health: An Obligation In 2025
Life is complicated and uncertain. Our mental state is impacted by that every single day. It is no longer a choice to do the things that support our mental health. I would add that it's not just an obligation we have to ourselves but an obligation we owe each other. Take care of yourself, and support other people when you can. That's the only way forward.
Shared from Elsewhere
The recent studies on people using AI chatbots as a mental health tool are interesting. I agree with Ben that it’s exciting to consider the possibility that AI might help alleviate the severe shortage of available therapy. On the other hand, it’s too early to know what the long-term results will be. It’s too early, and we don’t know what we don’t know yet. We should be studying every possible solution, though.
I would add other adults in their lives as well - How parents can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of teen mental health problems.
I found this educational: What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
I often discuss the importance of your network in your career on my other blog, but it’s just as crucial for your mental health —3 Ways To Build Your Personal Support Network For Improved Mental Health.
Making a Difference:
Mechelle Negrete on NAMI’s New Mental Health Initiative for Native Communities.
Men often struggle with mental health alone. This nonprofit wants to break down the barriers.
NFL veteran Trey Flowers returns for the second annual Mental Health Symposium
Hailey Van Lith reveals her powerful mental health journey that's led to TCU's March Madness run.
This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles.
Professional skier confronts mental health factors in mountain towns.
From the Archives
We are survivors because we are still here. We are victims because someone harmed us while committing a crime. There’s no reason to complicate those terms, and there’s no reason any of us who experienced abuse can’t be both.
Sharing - Why The Age You Experienced Trauma Matters
It's not impossible to learn and develop even as an adult, but first, we need to stop blaming ourselves for both the trauma and the effects of the trauma. We need to be open to learning new tools without judging ourselves for not knowing how to fix ourselves.
If it were that easy, everyone would do it. Clearly, that isn't happening.
People, adults, and children who get put in prison for any reason instantly become the "other" to many people. Since they are somehow not human anymore, when we talk about survivors or those with mental illness, we don't include them.
Thanks for reading. If you find this newsletter informative and helpful, please spread the word. That’s the best way to thank me for my weekly effort.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
― Desmond Tutu