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Link – How Seeking Mental Health Care Has Changed
Laura has an important message about mental health issues and the internet: “We may assume the extra convenience of being able to find endless information online and connect with others anywhere, anytime would only bring positive change. But it’s important to recognize some of the pitfalls that have come with the digital age and ensure…
Reading – 10 Ways to Support a Friend Who is Suffering with Depression
“According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Mental Health, Black people are 20% more likely to suffer serious psychological distress than White people. Although our suicide rates are lower, it’s clear that our community is under severe mental health distress and there are many of us who find ourselves…
Link – Why I’m Tired Of Mental Health Awareness Events
I agree with a lot of what James has written in this article. Yes, we need to continue to talk about mental health. The attention the issue has grabbed has made a dent in attitudes and awareness, and there is more to do there.
But, despite all the talk and awareness, we still have a criminally low level of resources available actually to help people. All too often, people who hear these conversations and attend these events wind up looking for help, and finding none.
Sharing – Sending Out an SOS: Help Combat Childhood Trauma
We don’t see it because we don’t talk about it enough. We don’t talk about it enough because it’s an uncomfortable topic. It’s not “fun” to talk about childhood trauma, even though almost everyone experiences it directly or indirectly. Everyone knows people who have lived through childhood trauma or are currently living with it. They just don’t talk about it or know what to do. And since we don’t talk about it, solving it doesn’t become much of a priority.
Sharing – How to Stop Blaming Sexual Harassment Victims
I also want you to remember that, as far as I can tell, this study was done regarding adult women being harassed. Imagine how much the victim-blaming in those cases would impact a sexual abuse victim? As a child, maybe we didn’t have any chance to make an accusation, but as an adult we could, except look at what happens to people who come forward years later? Why would I put myself through that trauma?
And if you’re a male victim of sexual abuse, or even assault as an adult? Yeah, you get the extra burden of proving you didn’t want it too.
This all stems from a complete misunderstanding of trauma, and the dynamics involved in going public with our stories. To too many people in society, if we don’t report it right when it happens, then coming forward later is just proof that it didn’t happen and we have some other motive for making the accusation.
Until that goes away, there will continue to be millions of silent victims, and who knows how many predators not being found out.
