Tagged With "Mental Health"
Blog Post
you are one of the cool kids
We spend a great deal of our energy on fitting in. While insecurity and ego are sometimes part of this effort, it’s inappropriate to think of “fitting in” as a weakness or a crutch. The drive to connect is built into the essence of being human. Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk in his (one of the best I’ve read in the last five years) book, “The Body Keeps the Score,” says, “Our culture teaches us to focus on personal uniqueness, but at a deeper level, we barely exist as individual organisms. Our...
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Re: It Makes Sense
You knew about something many of the attendees didn't know about but can now put to good use. This is a reminder that you don't necessarily have to be a trained clinician, physician, nurse, or public health researcher to get the word out about the ACEs study and its compelling results. Thank you, Jennifer, for taking advantage of an opportunity to share that knowledge at the conference and for telling us about your experience with that here.
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Re: Kids From Trauma NEED Someone to Tell Them Their Normal Isn’t “Normal” [blogs.psychcentral.com]
Laura - you are so right! A few years ago while working in public health, several school nurses reached out to me to find information regarding the self-harming behaviors which were increasing significantly among their Middle School students. They wanted to know if other schools were having similar concerns - and they were. Using a trauma-informed lens changed the way the school nurses responded to the students. While they still felt under-resourced, they were reassured to know that research...
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Re: Kids From Trauma NEED Someone to Tell Them Their Normal Isn’t “Normal” [blogs.psychcentral.com]
It's great news for young people today that school nurses are getting educated about what's behind self-injury among youth and that there's research on it to boot. It's hopeful for all of us.
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Re: How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
Oh, Laura, my heart fills with joy every Tuesday as I watch Sammie work her therapy dog magic. I had worked in a mental health agency in the school systems helping children with trauma, bullying, etc., but found it was taking its toll on me emotionally. I eventually left that job out of a forced situation (God's grace at work) as I had to go to work for a company I owned that was suddenly flourishing. Now I find I am back working with children, but this time Sammie is the one engaging them...
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Re: What Survivors of Complex Trauma Want You to Know [marieclaire.com.au]
I like that she mentions dissociation. I have been going to therapy for over 30 years and really had no idea about dissociation. I though it was something you could put a verbal memory to or just spacing out for a bit..... but dissociation is so much more. I don't think that childhood trauma can be healed until the treatment people all come to understand a whole lot more about dissociation and about how much of the symptoms of complex PTSD are really not accessible to the conscious mind.
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Re: How Improving Mood Can Help Heal
Matt, thanks for the tips on how to improve mood. A positive mood can make everything that comes our way a little easier to handle. Even something as simple as drinking enough water throughout the day can tip the balance in our favor.
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Re: The Surviving Spirit Newsletter December 2019
This newsletter is like the Reader's Digest of trauma and mental health. Thanks, Michael!
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Re: The Surviving Spirit Newsletter December 2019
Thanks Laura, have always wanted to share some Hope, Healing & Help...there is healing.
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Re: Toxic Childhood? 5 Spiritual Exercises to Heal the Soul [psychologytoday.com]
Hi, Tosca, Yes, it's an uncomfortable topic for many and it often evokes denial in those who don't wish to face the reality that in many cases, a mother's unmet needs, unaddressed trauma, mental health issues, or other difficulties directly impact her children and often in turn traumatize them. It's taboo in our society (and I'm guessing in many other societies) to view or discuss mothers in any but the most flattering--even idealistic--light. We're not doing anyone any favors or supporting...
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Re: Education resources, including mental health, for kids, families during coronavirus pandemic
Thank you for the post. Have you heard of the Japanese Medical Device that produces electrolyzed reduced water and 2.5 electrolyzed hypochlorous acid water? In my private trauma practice all my clients drink this medical grade water and utilize the 2.5 water to clean their homes. No chemicals! I think the mental health care system needs to step outside the box there is so much Pub Med research on all the waters because they have been used in Japanese Hospitals for over 45 years and written...
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Re: Reasons to be Positive and Optimistic
Thank you for adding me as a resource Aron! This is a great article!
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Re: Working Even Just a Few Hours a Week Boosts Mental and Emotional Health [psmag.com]
I have never thought that work necessarily had to come in the form of a paid job. I think a person can create meaningful work out of what is important to them, from how they want to make a difference in the world. That may be idealistic, but I suspect that when people are relieved of the need to worry about earning enough money to live and having health insurance, many of them will choose to fill their time with good works and creative, innovative benevolent acts. Anyone else?
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Re: Wellness and Resiliency Toolkit for Kids with Trauma
Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. I have utilized some of these techniques when working with children in the mental health and school settings. But, some are new to me. I love the suggestions. I would love to include this booklet in our Sammie's Bundles of Hope care-giver folders (a project where we provide anxiety reducing trinkets such as stress balls, bubbles, fidget spinners, etc. to children with trauma history). This would be such a valuable resource to add. Peace, Teri...
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Re: Wellness and Resiliency Toolkit for Kids with Trauma
Teri, you have my permission to reproduce and include in your folders. Enjoy!
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Re: 5 Tips to Get You Through the Kavanaugh Investigation (No Matter What Are Your Politics)
Great tips for actions anyone can take just about any time to relieve stress and process difficult emotions. These sound like good habits to develop so we always have a way to help calm ourselves no matter what is happening in our world. Thank you, Hilary.
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Re: Preparing and Advocating for Medical Care as a Trauma Survivor
Excellent article. And oh-so-true. I know when I was searching for a new doctor, I specifically started inquiring if the physician took a holistic approach to healing as I did not want someone who simply wanted to throw a pill at my symptoms in order to make them go away. After all, masking the symptoms was something I had experienced for over twenty-five years as I tried to wrestle my panic attacks. Once I started respecting my needs on a holistic level, that's when true healing and symptom...
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Re: For Many People with Anxiety, Self-Care Just Doesn’t Work [healthline.com]
You know, Diane, I would regret posting this article, if it weren't for the opportunity for discussion it provides that you have recognized and acted upon. Thank you for that. At first glance, the author's view seems short-sighted and she seems bent on "self-care bashing", perhaps because of her frustration at seeing her anxiety worsen instead of improve as she attempts to "do" self-care. She does, though, come around at the end to this notion: If you feel strongly about developing a...
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Re: For Many People with Anxiety, Self-Care Just Doesn’t Work [healthline.com]
Hi Laura, I love your well-thought-out analysis. Thanks for sharing your insights. I had read the entire article before posting my comment and wonder, as you noted, if the beginning was click bait motivated. At the same time, all articles are worth posting when they raise worthwhile discussion and reflection. I reacted to this article because one of my biggest pet peeves is when authors seem to try to boost themselves/their approach by denigrating others. I see this with a backlash to...
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Re: The Secret to Self-Healing: It’s All About Vibration (wakeup-world.com)
Thank you for sharing, Dana. Great article. Our energetic vibration directs every experience in our life. It’s an important thing to understand for our overall health and wellbeing. I’ll add one practice to the author’s list of ways to improve your vibration: Daily meditation. Thanks again.
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Re: Vacancy: Self-Worth in the Mind of a Childhood Abuse Survivor
Succinctly said, Jason. Thanks for putting into words what most survivors struggle with. Hugs
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Re: Vacancy: Self-Worth in the Mind of a Childhood Abuse Survivor
Yes. This. So much so. Thank you for this beautifully written summation of my current state. I love helping others along their healing journey and feel blessed to have reached a place of profound healing to be able to do so. However, I have found myself in a place of overwhelm and self-imposed isolation these past few months. I continue doing my thing . . . blogging, podcast interviews, therapy dog volunteer work . . . and, I truly believe, that has kept me grounded. My therapy. A great way...
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Re: Vacancy: Self-Worth in the Mind of a Childhood Abuse Survivor
Wow, Jason. There's just nothing like a personal story of someone else who's been there. Learning I'm not alone by reading or hearing of someone else's experience never loses its potency. Thank you for sharing this here, where so many of us get it.
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Re: How Helping Others Benefits Your Mental Health
It's impressive that you helped yourself heal and recover by reaching out to help others and now are continuing to do so by sharing your story and suggestions here. Thank you for an inspiring post, Tricia.
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Re: Thoughts to share
Excellent reminders for us all and a unique idea for a post, too. Thanks, Michael.
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Great list, Teri! I'll add another: Knitting. It's my portable therapy. I tend to get anxious when there's turbulence on a plane flight so I always take a knitting project with me when I fly. It's meditative and soothing. Here's some information and research about the health benefits of knitting: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com...enefits-of-knitting/ Thanks again for your great and useful post!
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Wonderful! Thanks for the knitting suggestion. I have a friend who swears by knitting when she flies, as well.
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Re: My Story about Healing Moving from “What is wrong with me” to “What is happening – how can I take better care of myself?”
Thank you for sharing I can relate to much of what you are voicing. I spent seven years sick while writing my book Victim to Victory and I dedicate my life to building a new mental health care system that utilizes Kundalini Brain Protocols and Electrolyzed Reduced Water. Both have Pub Med research! Both much more effective then what's out on the market! Many Blessings!
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Re: My Story about Healing Moving from “What is wrong with me” to “What is happening – how can I take better care of myself?”
Jessie: I LOVE this post and relate to so much from the ear infections, to the anaphylaxis in college to we still don't know what, to the health challenges, divorce, and the cancer, and high ACEs, and to the HEALING! There is healing and high ACEs are a risk factor but not a death sentence. Also, a 50-year old baby doll is exactly how I feel and look right now. Anyhow, THANK YOU for sharing this and reminding me and others to focus in on the healing and the opportunities as well as honoring...
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Re: Self-care suggestion for Men during the COVID isolation
Thanks for the shout-out, Jason! And for another hope-infused conversation. You shared such an important message of #PandemicSelfCare for men.
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Re: World Mental Health Day - California Takes Initiative in Battling Depression [thehill.com]
So California goes, so goes the nation ... eventually, some of it kicking and screaming . Nonetheless, this is good news for the most populous state in the nation and one that often leads the way into new territory for us all.
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Re: Dr. Felitti Describes Future of ACE on TV Show with Dr. Alman
Thanks so much for posting your interview with Dr. Felitti. It seems that patient response to the opportunity to disclose their adverse childhood experiences (including apparent lack of objection or offense at being asked such personal and potentially upsetting questions) discounts much of the resistance by physicians to incorporate the ACEs questionnaire into their practices. It sounds as if not only were some patients relieved and grateful to have an opportunity to share what had happened...
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Re: ‘Burnout is real’: The importance of engaging in self-care practices when faced with secondary trauma [whyy.org]
This is such important information. It's one thing for social workers, mental health care providers, first responders and the like to require self-care to avoid secondary trauma, but when librarians are added to the list, you know things have gotten bad (and I have worked in public libraries, but a few years before conditions reached their current off-the-charts level). Thank you for sharing this with us, Caitlin.
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Re: Resilience: A Conversation
I'm so impressed that you two took this conversation to Zoom and agreed to post it here. I learned a lot from listening to you both and I hope you'll post more episodes of what I hear has been dubbed the "Cissy and Rebecca Show". Maybe you'll start an ACN trend! When you posted the original "We Can Do It!" meme, I saw it on social media and ever since have been meaning to stop by and say I love it. It struck a nerve with me. Sometimes suggesting that people with a history of trauma simply...
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5 Habits to Have If You Want to Be Exceptionally Healthy (wakeup-world.com)
We all know someone who is always healthy. Even when there are epidemics and pandemics, they skirt around catching anything. What is going on here? Are they superhuman? No, they’re usually just like everyone else. However, they have certain lifestyle habits that help them become some of the healthiest people alive. Here’s how they can keep their overall health at the pinnacle of what it can be. They get enough quality sleep. They eat food rich in prana. They meditate. They move their bodies.
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The Healing Place Podcast: Dr. Jamie Marich - Trauma & the 12 Steps; Addiction Recovery; & Utilizing Complimentary Healing Tools
Teri Wellbrock sits down with Dr. Jamie Marich who describes herself as a facilitator of transformative experiences. A clinical trauma specialist, expressive artist, writer, yogini, performer, short filmmaker, Reiki master, and recovery advocate, she unites all of these elements in her mission to inspire healing in others.
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After My Wife Died I Was Consumed by Both Grief and Paperwork. We Must Work Together to Change the Medical System [time.com]
By Daniel Jonce Evans, TIME, May 20, 2020 After finding a parking space I stopped and shifted my minivan into park. I sat still for a moment, a moment that allowed me to take a breath in relative silence. Silence, sitting in that driver’s seat, had a particular sound. It encroached after relays clicked and vent fans stopped. The engine crackled while cooling. Still hanging from the ignition, keys on the ring touched once or twice, singing their acknowledgement that their cohort completed the...
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Free Mindfulness Meditation Workshop May 28 [gotowncrier.com]
By Town-Crier Editor, The Town-Crier, May 12, 2020 The Palm Health Foundation and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation are presenting a free one-hour online Mindfulness Meditation Workshop led by meditation practitioner and longtime Wellington resident Jill Merrell. The virtual event is in support of May’s Mental Health Awareness and Trauma Informed Care Month and provides to assist residents in finding calm and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be a live Zoom...
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Re: Mental Health Awareness: When Suffering Is Not an Illness
Thank you for sharing. Take care.
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Systems Transformation for the Better Normal: Follow-up Slides and Call Recording
Find in this post the slides from the Systems Transformation Better Normal call, featuring RYSE Youth Center's Associate Director Kanwarpal Dhaliwal. A link to the call recording is also provided.
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Too Much Alone Time? Tips To Connect And Find Joy While Social Distancing [npr.org]
By Alison Aubrey, National Public Radio, May 10, 2020 We are social creatures. So it's no surprise that quarantine fatigue has begun to set in. "Humans are wired to come together physically," says psychologist Judith Moskowitz of Northwestern University. But, loneliness has become widespread in modern life. And, social distancing has just exacerbated the problem, Moskowitz says. Social connection is essential to our well-being, since prolonged isolation can increase the risk of depression...
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New YouTube Playlist with All of ACEs Connection's Elaine Miller-Karas Videos
It has been an honor to collaborate with the wonderful and wise Elaine Miller-Karas on 5 online events since I started working at ACEs Connection a year ago. The recordings of these events are our most popular videos on YouTube, with a combined total of over a thousand views. I have now compiled them into a single playlist on our YouTube Channel. >>Click here to visit the playlist<< The videos include: 1. Building Resilient Communities - August 8, 2019 2. The Human Impact of...
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Mental Health Awareness: When Suffering Is Not an Illness
When I was an adolescent and young adult, I struggled with depression. As I reflect back on that time, so much of what I was experiencing was deeply tied to coming to terms with my sexuality. Growing up in the 1980’s in a relatively conservative town, I was closeted (even to myself) until I was a young adult. The pain and fear of being different, of not belonging, of being judged or rejected for who I was more than my adolescent brain could wrap its conscious head around.