Sharing – How I Got Better at Sharing My Story

Sharing – How I Got Better at Sharing My Story

ByMikeM Reading Time: 2 minutes

They can’t go down to the local community college and sign up for a class where they can practice explaining all of the complexities of their mental health in simple terms. They’re experimenting with what works, what is comfortable, what is confusing, etc. Give them some space to do that and know that when they are still at this uncomfortable level they trust you to be someone they want to talk to.

Don’t ruin it for them by being dismissive or not listening. They need you to listen and they need practice in telling their stories. Be the same place for that.

Online Education – Not Just for Tech and Career Skills

Online Education – Not Just for Tech and Career Skills

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

I’ll admit it, if you asked me where online you could educate yourself about Mental Health and self-care, LinkedIn Learning and Coursera wouldn’t have been at the top of my mind. Thankfully, the Make Use Of website knows better. They’ve shared some recommendations on courses you can take online:

Two Reviews Elsewhere – Breaking Through Depression; The Balanced Brain

Two Reviews Elsewhere – Breaking Through Depression; The Balanced Brain

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

It might not seem like much, but the more we learn about depression, the more we might be able to do for more people. That’s why the article linked above gives me some hope. We need more information from research, from professionals, and from those with lived experience if we are going to make a dent in treating depression. Lives are at stake.

Sharing – Tips for dealing with anxiety, the ‘check engine light’ of the brain

Sharing – Tips for dealing with anxiety, the ‘check engine light’ of the brain

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

I love thinking about anxiety as the check engine light. It fits if we think about it, because sometimes that light tells us that there’s something wrong, but sometimes the light itself is malfunctioning.

That’s anxiety to me. Sometimes there really are things the be anxious about, and sometimes those things have caused an overload in our brain such that we can’t figure out what to do with that check engine light

Sharing – A comment shouted from a stranger in a passing car saved her life

Sharing – A comment shouted from a stranger in a passing car saved her life

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

We don’t always know what impact our small actions will have. It might feel like it’s not enough and maybe even not worth doing, but to this woman that small action meant everything in that moment. If we take away anything from her story it should be that no matter how insignificant that small action might seem to you, do it anyway. There’s no downside, only the possibility that it will make a difference to someone.

Another Possible Reason for the Rise in Youth Mental Health Issues

Another Possible Reason for the Rise in Youth Mental Health Issues

ByMikeM Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben points out that the Child Tax Credit was expanded to assist poor families with pandemic-related economic hardships in 2021. 

The rate of childhood poverty dropped to historic lows.

Then it went away. And, well, what else would you expect?

According to NPR, “…A year ago, child poverty hit a historic low of 5.2%. The latest figures [a year after the child tax credits expired] put it at 12.4%, the same as the overall poverty rate. The surge happened as record inflation was rising and a lot of pandemic relief was running out, but Census officials and other experts say a key was the child tax credit.”