Sharing – Why a stranger’s hello can boost your well-being: The power of weak social ties

Sharing – Why a stranger’s hello can boost your well-being: The power of weak social ties

The math seems pretty simple here. We lose nothing by being kind and friendly. We might all gain enough to prevent the loss of another life. Suicide Prevention might involve some huge programs and resources, but it can start right here in how we interact with even our most casual connections.

APA Foundation Launches Mental Healthcare Works Resource

APA Foundation Launches Mental Healthcare Works Resource

You can access the launch page here – https://mentalhealthcareworks.org

Taking a quick look around it appears there are some stories, links to resources for finding help, and some advice on talking to your physician or helping a friend take the first steps toward getting help. I’m sure there will be additions to the site now that it is life, so I might suggest bookmarking it for future reference, especially so you have it handy when someone you know is looking for help.

Shared Links (weekly) July 30, 2023

Shared Links (weekly) July 30, 2023

Sharing – New study shows the top healthcare issue in rural America is mental health and addiction
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Sharing – New study shows the top healthcare issue in rural America is mental health and addiction

There have been some efforts to make health care more accessible in rural areas, but I’m not sure that we’ve done nearly as much when it comes to mental health and addiction treatment. I’ve read too many stories of people needing to travel 100 miles or more to see a therapist, or get a prescription for medication, let alone finding a rehab clinic with an opening. Throw in a system that too often forgets that they exist, or uses them as pawns in power grabs instead of trying to meet the needs of these communities, and it’s no wonder that many would be feeling helpless in the face of addiction and mental health issues.

Houston Landing Series on Deadly Detention

Houston Landing Series on Deadly Detention

That’s a problem. Building more jails isn’t going to solve it. Creating processes that help identify inmates with mental health issues but not the resources to immediately get them into treatment isn’t helping either. The numbers will just get higher. The only thing that will help is getting more resources to the people who need them. But we don’t. I believe the biggest reason we don’t is that we don’t see homeless people with mental health issues who run into legal problems as people who are worth the effort.