Child Abuse Survivor - Issue #185
We're not dead yet.
I’m not going to start this issue with a light, positive note. Most of you know me better than that, and this week just ain’t the week for it.
Just know that if you’re anxious, overwhelmed, scared, sad, etc., you are not alone. If I could get everyone reading to leave a comment telling us whether that describes them right now, there’d probably be a lot of “yes” in the comments. I feel it too.
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.
One of the thoughts I have always returned to when healing has gotten difficult, or something has gone wrong, has been this simple mantra: “I’m still here.”
That isn’t just a saying for me. It’s a reminder that even though I was abused as a child, suffered through mental health issues, experienced a failed marriage, job loss, and even homelessness, I’m still here.
I survived that shit, and I’m still standing.
Last week, my wife and I went to a punk rock show. The pure volume and sense of punk community were cathartic for me. Yelling about fascists at the top of your lungs can have that effect. But it was the lyrics to a song by Frank Turner that reminded me of my own mantra, and this week I want to share them with you, because individually, and as a community, we’re still here:
So try and get better and don’t ever accept less
Take a plain black marker and write this on your chest
Draw a line underneath all of this unhappiness
Come on now, let’s fix this mess
We could get better
Because we’re not dead yet
New from the Blogs
Sharing - Your discomfort is not our deadline to move on
Do I wish I never had to hear another survivor's story? Of course, I do. Not because of my discomfort, but because I wish these stories didn't have to exist. Until there are no more stories, we owe it to survivors not only to hear them, but also to learn from them and take action because of them. Ignoring the truth harms us all and leads to more survivors with stories.
An Underrated Risk of AI to Our Mental Health
Creative work has therapeutic benefits. Doing the work is the point, not the end result. AI can get you the end result faster, but it takes away the healing power of doing the work ourselves. I do worry that we will lose that in the rush to monetize anything we create, quickly and efficiently.
There are fantastic benefits for our minds in doing the work ourselves. I use AI for many things, but I also know how much I enjoy taking pictures, writing, teaching, etc. Why would I deprive myself of things I enjoy? That’s part of being human.
On the topic of AI:
Sharing - The AI child exploitation crisis is here
It's not like we didn't know this would happen. We knew. The industry just didn't care:
I've gotten some grief online for suggesting that murdering people who abuse children isn't what the victim needs. Maybe, if you hear it from an expert, you'll understand what I feel as a survivor who wouldn't have told anyone if I knew it could lead to the death of another person, even my abuser.
Sharing - Childhood trauma is linked to different aging patterns in the midlife brain
This is another reminder that there’s no excuse to dismiss the damage done to human beings when they are abused. Kids do not get over it, or barely remember it. They are impacted in myriad ways well into adulthood. Not doing everything we can to limit trauma, let alone arguing for policies that create more trauma for certain groups of children, cannot be tolerated.
We are not angry enough.
Shared from Elsewhere
I missed signs, too:
Healing and the ability to set boundaries went together for me as well:
Healing From Sexual Trauma One Boundary at a Time
Social connections matter. This seems to be becoming a repeated theme in each issue:
Promoting social connections for better mental health in older adults
The Importance Of Social Connection For Emotional Well-being.
This is always worth reading - How to Support Someone With A Mental Illness
I’ll always share solid reference material where we can learn more about mental health issues like this one - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Making a Difference:
How a Syrian refugee built a global mental health lifeline for
Nonprofit hosting event to bring hope to people facing mental health challenges
Thanks for reading. If you find this newsletter informative and helpful, please share it with others. That’s the best way to express gratitude for my weekly efforts.