Want to see what happens when someone who is completely used to performing in front of people and cameras all of the time, without appearing nervous at all, tries to talk about child abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Materials? Watch this speech by Blake Lively. Notice how, even as a professional who is in front…
This is a powerful statement.
“Relationships are at the root of mental health in every way.”
For abuse survivors, we know this, even if we don’t always think about it. It’s the damage from abuse at the hands of another person that has such a huge impact on our mental health. It’s the reason when we talk about it occurring at the hands of a family member of loved one that other people struggle to believe us. That the relationship would be the source of abuse is unthinkable to people with good relationships.
But, we can also turn that statement on it’s head as well. It’s relationships that can undo that mental health damage that was done by abuse too.
This quote is, frankly, just so freaking much.
“Personal boundaries are important for establishing a sense of self-worth and a sense of self-love. Those who grew up unable to establish their own personal space or to have a sense of control over their own life may have learned to seek approval or validation from others instead of trusting themselves and building a solid sense of self-identity.”
Dr. Strait reminds us that while it’s normal to want to “fix” the pain of people we care about, it’s much more important to simply be there, without fixing it. Then offers up this advice: “How do we make our presence known, particularly from afar? If circumstances warrant at least a few words, make the…
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Samantha’s article about grief has a lot in common with some of the things I’ve been saying about abuse, and other trauma, specifically this idea: “Society creates the perception that all that is needed after a loss is for the individual to take a little time to breathe — and then get back to work….
