Despite progress and many efforts their is still a major hinderance of people simply seeking out help for their mental well being. Weather cultural pressure or pride many still may feel that admitting something may be off mentally or emotionally will bring judgement and ridicule.
Their is a major gap in the amount of available mental health professionals to the masses. In my state of California data shows that the average 11-12 psychiatrist per 100,000 people. There is also low numbers for therapist and clinicians.
Just recently their have been major cuts in the Federal budget to the Department of Health and Human services. This has greatly impacted the amount of funds available for programs, treatment and services.
Though it would seems odd there ones own personal insurance can also not provide adequate coverage for patients to receive proper or all the treatment they need at an affordable price.
I have recently learned that my particular strain of DnA (Depression and Anxiety) has moments of selfishness. For someone who considers themselves a high functioning green individual I often find it very easy and convenient to put DnA in the nearest drawer to deal with at a later date. No problem right.” But what happens when life, work or family accidentally opens the drawer? Your then trying to multitask; putting DnA back in the drawer and trekking on with the day to day. Cause you don’t have time for DnA or any of their mental health relatives getting in your way or taking up all your time there’s more important things to be done. But then after chasing them around a bit you may stop and realize “hey maybe they are worth my time.” There apart of you wether you like or not. Dealing with it means dealing with yourself and your own needs. That’s when you realize being a little selfish isn’t so bad.
Our actions may not always show it but sometimes our mental health can have a funny way of showing us that you need to stop and take care of number 1. When your feeling like you’re on the verge of spiraling. Thats the sign to put yourself and your health at the top of that to do list. Stop, take a moment, self reflect, or step away, be the loneliest number. Your number one and being number one is to be a winner.
Anyone who has suffered from a mental health issue is aware that its a major challenge. Not only that, catching the signs and symptoms can lead you to a different diagnosis. Now I have notice some patterns which I have now been able to follow a sequence of events to the discovery of deeper issues.
We all get those times where we feel sad or hopeless. Sometimes it can be feeling sad over the smallest things. You may be a little more nervous or anxious and easily startled.
The Physical Signs “
Body aches
Head aaches
Stomach pain
Dizziness
Tiredness
These can be harder to pick up as it can be many things. Random muscle aches, muscle tightness, or headaches.
The environmental or societal issue
Decrease work productivity
Uninterested in favorite activities or hobbies.
Changes in mood
What signs have you notice with yourself or others ? Do we repeat the same sequence of emotions when having a depressive episode. OR maybe you only experience one type.
And now a toast; not for a new job, new home or new relationship, but to Mental Health.
On most occasions it was something many were drinking to escape from , but to drink too in celebration definitely a new concept.
And to even have the strength to admit to others publicly not easy. Mental Health for so long always came with fear and judgement.
Now with this one moment a forward step for the stigma books. This is proof that we as a people have come a great distance in how mental health is perceived. If this isn’t proof that Mental health narrative isn’t changing I don’t know what is.
The road is still tough but at least the scenery is changing. And that’s something to toast too. Cheers!
Because of you I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a little more. -unknown
Smile more
For many suffering from some form of mental illness it’s not surprising that laughing and smiling more while crying less would be a goal to shoot for.
But how does one go about finding that thing or things that will bring on the smiles and laughter while wiping the tears.
Is it family, friends, exercise, diet?
Well just like you, I too ask myself the same question while seeking out what will best assist me in evading the psychiatric rabbit hole I often find myself in.
With that said I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine Zac. I’m sure you have heard of him, maybe you have even met him or even requested him in order to gain a bit of his magic. Maybe you guys hit if off or maybe despite all his efforts you both weren’t able to stay close despite his efforts.
Now for a little guy ,weighing in about 40 milligrams and sometimes in either green, blue or orange bottoms, he was quite the heavyweight its like depression never stood a chance .
Just a single encounter and boom you have the strength and tools to easily knock down the dam blocking the serotonin river gaining that happiness which you never thought you feel again.
When he first burst onto the seen he was described as being a miracle he was all the craze and everyone wanted a piece.
And rightfully so who wouldn’t want to just have one dose of Zac and instantly be happy again.
Like i said unfortunately I have to be honest with you he means well but he’s not always able to deliver. Not all rivers flow the same and sometimes it takes Zac with some additional reinforcements for the river to flow once more.
And honestly why should he? That’s a lot of pressure on him obviously ,and we all know happiness takes a bit more work.
And this is not to take anything away from Zac just because he’s not perfect doesn’t mean he’s not a good friend. He is very much still there to assist if you should need him. He still provides a lot of the relief, and continues to be that extra assistance people needs. He is still very much popular and still very much a heavy hitter in the mental illness battle. He was responsible for changing the game in the field of psychology as well as how we go about recovery bringing on new laws, requirement and insight to the field of mental health. Because of his presence , he created a path for his associates whom would follow.
People now have much more access to information and many more choices in how they fight this battle or unblock the dam. It then just becomes the mission of finding and selecting the right tools.
Happy Pills
Esherick, Joan. (2007). Prozac: North American Culture and the Wonder Drug. Mason Crest Publishers Inc.
With all the holidays around us, the cold weather as well as the possibility of being flooded with a good dose of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) it seemed to be the perfect time to bring up something important ……drum roll “coping skills.” I admit this is most definitely not something at the forefront of our minds, but certainly stress and anxiety certainly have an opportunity to make its presence known during the holiday season.
I first got on the subject after a conversation with some friends. We were discussing the Disneyland Resort Buena Vista Street expansion (Anaheim, California) . Many people had very strong emotions about being able to at least walk into the resort and many described they had very strong feelings to the point it brought tears to their eyes. This got my friends and I thinking just how much a place like Disneyland , and any other location provided a sense of comfort and an escape for people. I can attest to this as a former pass holder. I always looked forward to Disney outings with my Disney crew and being caught up in the magical pixie dust. (I think it’s sprinkled with a little crack.) I created this place, and the time with my friends as an escape. It was a time to just focus on what was in front me and to keep my mind away from my problems which bring stress and anxiety . This is what countless others do. We are figuring out a way to simply catch our breath and to cope with whatever issues are troubling us. Which brings us to the topic and its importance.
Let’s think about what exactly are coping skills. According to Webster and Merriam the word cope means “to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties often to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success.”
And a skill “is the ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance” Just looking at these definitions we can see that forming coping skills and positive ones at that is something that can be challenged in the forming and implementing of such skill as well as staying consistent day to day. So when you find yourself getting a bit stressed out, frustrated or anxious here are a few things to do to recenter yourself.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath
Close your eyes; take a deep breath
Count to 10
Look up; study the sky
Say Stop
Learning how to tackle every day stress isn’t going to come easy but it is possible to learn and manage it. With the transition into a New Year there is an opportunity not just for a resolution but to take the challenge of learning this skill……………now who loves a challenge?
My Green Ribbon 