I got a tattoo recently: a black and white lit match about two inches long. You can find it on my left forearm, where I used to cut. The inspiration comes from the song "Amy AKA Spent Gladiator 1" by the Mountain Goats. Here are the lyrics: Do every stupid thing that makes you feel … Continue reading Creative Self-Care
How to Help Someone with Self-Harm
The common mental health problem of self-harm is often dramatized and sensationalized to the point where people aren't sure what to even think about it. Therefore, many people deal with the self-harm of others in a way that's not constructive for anyone involved. If someone has come to you about their self-harm, the following is … Continue reading How to Help Someone with Self-Harm
14 Ways Tech Can Help You Hack Your Brain
We’ve often heard the negative ways that technology can affect our mental health. For example, studies have shown that spending too much time on Facebook and comparing your life (and body) to those of others can cause or exacerbate depression– and most of us are constantly aware how much faster (and more stressful) life has … Continue reading 14 Ways Tech Can Help You Hack Your Brain
Recovery Heroes: Pat Deegan
We share in the certainty that people labeled with mental illness are first and above all, human beings. Our lives are precious and are of infinite value.–Patricia E. Deegan, Recovery and the Conspiracy of Hope From the videos of her many talks and lectures, audiences can see that Pat Deegan is an exceptionally well-spoken woman … Continue reading Recovery Heroes: Pat Deegan
The Ugly Bullet Journal: A Practical Organization System for Increased Mindfulness
I am a hot mess, but I used to be worse. A few years ago, I would miss the opportunity to renew my food stamps applications because I threw the notice on my desk and then just forgot about it, leaving me without food money for a month. I would miss work deadlines because I … Continue reading The Ugly Bullet Journal: A Practical Organization System for Increased Mindfulness
Introducing: The Art Journal Mental Health Bible … Thing …
I’ll be honest, I’ve been working on it for years and I still have no idea what to call it. Written in the cover page is “Jay’s Declassified Brain Survival Guide,” a reference to a 2000s Disney TV show, but that’s just a personal joke. I guess a mental health-focused “art journal” would be the … Continue reading Introducing: The Art Journal Mental Health Bible … Thing …
"Just Show Up"
If you struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, or just plain feeling like a failure, I have a mantra for you that’s been really helping me out lately: Just show up. As I’ve said elsewhere on this blog, I am a peer in mental health issues, and my biggest problem has always been depression. I’ve had to … Continue reading "Just Show Up"
Why You’ve Never Heard of DBT
An Introduction to DBT Dialectical Behavioral Therapy might sound like a mouthful, but the reality is actually pretty simple. DBT is an extension of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that teaches skills for mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation. DBT basically lists a selection of skills to use either habitually or during particularly emotional times, … Continue reading Why You’ve Never Heard of DBT
Going Away to College (When You Have Depression and/or Anxiety)
Understand that this is going to be a big life change. Even if it’s positive and you make lots of new friends and have a great time, it will still cause you stress, which can still trigger depression. Prepare for it just in case.Register with disability services. If you have a diagnosis, find out what … Continue reading Going Away to College (When You Have Depression and/or Anxiety)
For Those Questioning Their Gender Identity/Sexuality
When I was 16, I realized all at once that I was bisexual. A girl who looked like Alexa Vega from Spy Kids came into the library where I worked and I couldn't talk to her the entire time I fetched her book and checked it out. All my queer high school friends were like, … Continue reading For Those Questioning Their Gender Identity/Sexuality
