Featured Posts From the Past
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Clean Up the Spot in Front of You
I enjoyed this clip of Henry Rollins talking about being overwhelmed by the pain and injustice he has seen in his travels.
He recognizes that he is “one guy.” He can’t possibly fix all of it, and trying to would be pointless. So he sees the opportunities where he can make a difference and hopes that more of us will try to “clean the spots” we can, as well.
And those little differences start to add up…
The Importance of Just Listening
The people who helped me, and continue to help me, are the ones who will ask me questions and then just listen. They want to hear my story, even though they can’t fix it. They know that they can help by just giving me a space to tell my story, without worrying about the need to fight off their attempts at fixing something that may or may not be relevant at all to my situation. (i.e. I’m glad your cousin felt better after a walk in the forest, but that’s not what is happening here!)Â
So please, just listen. Make the space around you, even if it’s virtual, a safe space for your friends and loved ones to tell their stories. Find small ways to help, if you can, but also know that by just listening, just sitting with our stories, you are already helping so much.
We All Have Mental Health Issues
Imagine frowning upon someone taking ibuprofen for a headache because they should “tough it out.” Or talking about how the common cold affects people “over there” and not your group.Â
It’s nonsense. Yet, when it comes to talking about mental health, people start that same nonsense as if they have never had a day where they struggle with anxiety or need to take a break from the stress of day-to-day life.Â
I think it’s time we started looking at mental health the way Dr. Lee describes it. We all have mental health issues of some form or another, just like we all have different physical ailments at times. Stigmatizing people who need mental healthcare and being unable to provide it is a failure for all of us.Â
I was really touched by your story. I myself am a survivor of child abuse physical and sexual. I attempted suicide at the age of 15 & the last thing I remember before drowning myself was this man on my radio singing She Will Rise Above. I later discovered it was a song by Pearl Jam called Daughter. Their music has been my therapy for 18 1/2 years now and counting. I hope that you would be willing to share your story on my blog pjcolumbus.WordPress.com or my survivors blog youwillriseabove.WordPress.com
Thanks for courage and bravery
Danielle