Child Abuse Survivor - Issue #189
Once more from the road
I’m writing this intro from a hotel in Denver, where I’m attending a conference for work, after being in New Orleans for a few days, and after going home from here, I’ll be on the road to Houston and Dallas for some more live music.
All of that, of course, is on top of what has been a ridiculously busy time at work.
I’ve been leaning heavily on some of the advice I often give people dealing with a lot - focus on the thing in front of you.
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 advice I give at work when there is a lot of change happening, it’s the advice I give when people watch the news and get overwhelmed, and it’s the advice I give myself, because when I don’t focus on the thing in front of me, I spiral.
My brain, when not focused on the thing in front of me, tries very hard to focus on everything at once. Literally, everything. That’s no way to navigate life, even if that level of alertness helped me survive my childhood.
So, before I head back into conference land today, let me leave you with this advice. That thing in front of you deserves your full attention, and you deserve to be in the present moment that is in front of you.
It’s a much more sustainable way to live.
New from the Blogs
That was a direct quote from me last weekend as we attended JazzFest in New Orleans.
I’m not saying that simply going to concerts is a replacement for therapy. Let’s make that clear up front.
What I was referring to was the healing power not only of music but also of the shared experience with a crowd of similarly minded people.
Sharing - Is bad mental health an economic problem at its core?
Economic stress isn't the only factor when it comes to mental health issues. We all know people with plenty of financial resources who struggle, just like we know professional athletes who exercise all the time and still struggle. That being said, we would be stupid not to acknowledge the increased risk.
This is related - Sharing - How schools can support mental health in high-needs areas
This is an important caveat to the idea of having mental health resources in schools. Not all schools are the same, and within a school, not every student is the same. Schools in poor areas where students are likely to be dealing with instability at home and poverty all around them have different mental health needs than kids living in a wealthy suburb. Programs designed to help families in poverty should be part of school mental health programs. As I've said many times, you can't meditate or exercise your way out of poverty. A full-service mental health program would recognize the impact that something like poverty has on kids.
It’s still not safe to be honest
In any competitive or demanding career, admitting to a mental health struggle is to be perceived as being less capable, and being seen as less capable is a career-killer.
This week, the world of sports gave us another example:
Jarren Duran’s experience with fan abuse shows there’s still risk in athletes being vulnerable
Sharing - Beyond Survival: How Daily Self-Care Leads To A Flourishing Life
My favorite takeaway from this is that self-care is an everyday thing. It’s not something we plan to do; if the stress gets bad enough, it’s the actions we take every day for ourselves. Think of it like brushing your teeth. You do it every day because it keeps your teeth healthy; you don’t wait until they are dirty enough that they need a dentist’s attention to decide now is a good time to start brushing them.
Find ways to take care of yourself every day, and do them. Those are the tools that will help you when times are stressful and anxiety-inducing. You are worthy of that.
What are the ways in which you take care of yourself regularly?
Shared from Elsewhere
This is worth keeping handy - Where to Find the Best Child Abuse Data and Help for At-Risk Kids
A few more articles about mental health and politics:
We talk about the need for community often, and part of that is feeling like we are worthy of love, so let’s talk about how to create more of that - How to feel more loved.
As someone who is diabetic, I was lucky to have plenty of support. Friends, my wife, coworkers, and the staff at my health care provider all stepped in to make sure I knew where to go and what to do. Not everyone gets that, and I can’t imagine having a diagnosis that requires so many changes without it - Diabetes patients call for more tailored mental health support.
Making a Difference:
KENS-TV sports anchor Vinnie Vinzetta shares his experience surviving childhood sexual abuse
OU student receives advocacy award for campus mental health work
A local teen’s aquascaping nonprofit helps with mental health issues
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.