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.”

Sharing – Allowing Survivors of Suicide Loss to Be Honest

Sharing – Allowing Survivors of Suicide Loss to Be Honest

ByMikeM Reading Time: 2 minutes

As Brandy shares, processing grief can sometimes mean being angry, or feeling things about the death of a loved one that don’t always jive with how we’d want suicide reported, but these are not spokespeople, advocates, or reporters, they are people dealing with their own pain.

Maybe, if we want people to speak their truth, we need to give them the room to express it the way they feel it, not silence them in the interest of not hearing terms we don’t love.

Sharing – ‘They Aren’t Who You Think They Are’

Sharing – ‘They Aren’t Who You Think They Are’

ByMikeM Reading Time: 4 minutes

If nothing else, I hope you’ll go read the article for two reasons. One, to recognize how difficult it can be to come forward, and have leaders dismiss your claims, so that you know how not to run any organizations that you and your kids are involved with, and two, to recognize how certain cultural values create a space for abusers. Churches rely on charismatic leaders, but without proper safeguards and oversight, you’ll attract some very charismatic evildoers too. Also, understand that environments with such a strong focus on sexual purity, create a culture where kids are desperate to not do the “worst thing” and are susceptible to this kind of grooming, not to mention a lot of shame around a very natural subject. That shame only increases the secrecy around sex, and again creates a place where secrets can thrive. DO NOT BE A PLACE WHERE SECRETS THRIVE!

Sharing – Good Vibes Only? You Can’t Think Yourself Out of Depression

Sharing – Good Vibes Only? You Can’t Think Yourself Out of Depression

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

You’re not being kind, you are blaming people for a ton of things that are completely beyond their control, because your own identify is tied to a world-view that has no explanation for suffering beyond “welp, guess you failed at being positive”.

That’s not a world-view, that’s a privileged, self-centered, view.

Sharing – ‘What I had to say mattered’ — how can we provide justice for sexual assault victims beyond criminal trials?

Sharing – ‘What I had to say mattered’ — how can we provide justice for sexual assault victims beyond criminal trials?

ByMikeM Reading Time: 2 minutes

The article below is about Restorative Justice, and idea that has become popular in some instances, because as much as we may not like it, this is true: “Some of the problems with the criminal justice system can, and should, be addressed through reform. Other problems may be unavoidable in an adversarial system.” I have…

Links I’m Sharing (weekly)

Links I’m Sharing (weekly)

ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

Top 10 Twitter Accounts that are Good for Your Mental Health Signs and Symptoms that Could Stop Suicide Creating Boundaries in My Relationships as an Abuse Survivor That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief The Importance of Staying Connected While Practicing Social Distancing 5 Truths Survivors of Suicide Loss Need to Know Right Now How to…