Featured Posts From the Past
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Next Week is National Suicide Prevention Week in the US
Once again, we have a week dedicated to not just raising awareness of suicide as the epidemic that it has become, but thanks to resources like the ones provided by AFSP, there are things we can do to prevent the death by suicide of someone we know and love. Please, take a moment to become…
Social Media and Mental Health – How the Stories You Read Are Impacting Your Perception
Over the weekend, I wrote a lengthy piece over on my professional site about how social media, and regular media, are designed to capture, and keep, your attention. In order to do that, they figure out what you like to see, and keep showing you more of it. The piece was inspired by this rather…
Lauren Book on Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Somehow, even though this is from 2016, I hadn’t seen it until last night. It’s a TEDx talk by survivor, and advocate Lauren Book. (https://laurenskids.org)
In it. she shares her own story, and some words about going from victim, to advocate and how we can all advocate for children, but the part that really caught my attention was the beginning, and no not just because she uses an air horn. It’s the description of our responses to trauma, and how they are just part of us, mostly outside of our control, especially as children. Lauren’s freeze response wasn’t just a one-time event either, it went on for years, and was tied to thinking that all of it was her own fault.
If this sound familiar, that’s because it is really common. We just don’t talk about it. We don’t talk about sexual abuse at all, and if we do, this kind of response is usually met with some nasty comments about why we waited to say anything. Those comments simply communicate that the person saying them, knows nothing about the brain and trauma response.
Don’t be that person. Watch and learn a thing or two.
It’s Been a Rough Week So I’m Reminding Myself of These Things
Even when there are things in the world I cannot change, I use my own words to remind myself that there are things I CAN do. I can look after the people around me. I can add my voice to support mental health, survivors, and marginalized groups. I can find small ways to contribute to making the world a better place while also encouraging others to do the same.
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