We The Weary World

09/19/2023

In an emotionally revealing way John Bradshaw shows us how toxic shame is the core problem in our compulsions, co-dependencies, addictions and the drive to super-achieve. The result is a breakdown in the family system and our inability to go forward with our lives. We are bound by our shame.

Drawing from his 22 years of experience as a counselor, Bradshaw offers us the techniques to heal this shame. Using affirmations, visualizations, “inner voice” and “feeling” work plus guided meditations and other useful healing techniques, he realeases the shame that binds us to the past.

This important book breaks new ground in the core issues of societal and personal breakdown, offering techniques of recovery vital to all of us.

Text: Google Books

09/18/2023

Mental Health Heroes🦸‍♀️ 🦸‍♂️:
Howie the Harp

Howard Geld is known as Howie the Harp to the mentally ill and homeless to whom he committed his life after spending time in institutions for the emotionally disturbed while a teenager.

Mr. Geld was widely credited with being a pioneer in advocacy for mental patients, founding or co-founding many organizations that are now part of national and international movements.

At his death, Mr. Geld was director of advocacy for Community Access. Since taking the job in 1993, Mr. Coe said, he began the New York City Recipients Coalition, a group dedicated to making former mental patients a political force. And he wrote proposals that led to $150,000 in financing from the state and other organizations for the Peer Specialists Training Center to train former patients to help others like them.

I’ve been diagnosed as a schizophrenic, as psychotic, as manic-depressive and as psychotic depressive,” Mr. Geld said later. “I don’t really believe in those labels, but there have been times in my life when I went into what can be called a manic episode, and when I went into severe depressions. What I’m doing with my life right now is trying to learn how to control what I call manic energy. If it can be controlled and directed and channeled, it could be really valuable and real powerful. I’d rather learn how to control it, rather than be cured of it.”

While institutionalized, he had trouble sleeping, and a night attendant taught Mr. Geld to play the harmonica. He said he got his nickname, Howie the Harp, when he played his harmonica on the streets of Greenwich Village to earn money for food and a place to sleep.

Mr. Geld became involved in formal advocacy through the Insane Liberation Front in Oregon in 1971 and returned to New York shortly thereafter to begin the Mental Patients Liberation Project. He also founded or helped found Project Release in New York in 1975 and several advocacy groups in California in the 1980’s.

Video: Community Access
Text: The NY Times

09/10/2023

Gratitude is an impactful daily practice for me. I strive to identify blessings everyday because it’s sometimes easy for me to lose sight of them (even though they are abundant). Mental health struggles, especially anxiety for me, can make it difficult to live in the moment and not be worrying about what’s to come. The act of counting my blessings, from teeny tiny to ginormous, helps relieve that worry and remember the journey right now.

🌈What are you thankful for today?✨

09/07/2023

Taking it back to 1994, when Janelle and I would make up dances to our favorite jams. Now, we’re full-grown adults and Janelle is raising two beautiful children. On this week’s episode, we discuss some of her intentions she set as a mother around speaking about bodies. We also talk about our own struggles with body shame and reproductive health issues. What an inspiring conversation!

If you haven’t already, please go back and listen to episode 6A. This is a continuation of our first conversation. Available on all podcast listening platforms!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-the-weary-world/id1691536764

09/01/2023

*Trigger Warning*: Mental health matters ✨

It took me until I was in my thirties to admit I needed professional help, despite my mental health suffering since I was a teenager.

It took hundreds, maybe even thousands, of panic attacks before I could convince myself to reach out.

It took me to complete physical, emotional, spiritual burnout to admit I was unwell.

It took me contacting the #988 hotline and spending time in a mental health facility.

It took me so close to the end of my life before most knew there was a real problem.

It took years of working with medical professionals and going to peer-led support groups to survive-let alone thrive-a journey I may be on for the remainder of my life.

It took me exploring several medication options that I had to manage a great deal of shame around.

It’s taken me decades to understand my needs and know how to balance my life, to care and love myself for every part- not just the “good” traits.

September is and I’m just here, as your friendly mentally ill neighbor 😋, to remind you that you are so needed in this world. 🌈If you are struggling, I hope you can be gentle with yourself. One day, one hour, one minute at a time. Just keep swimming, friend.
🐠🐟

I’m deeply grateful for my journey and that I choose, despite being wildly out of my own comfort zone, to share it with all of you. I hope it helps someone feel less alone. Because this life can be HARD, friends. 💖

08/30/2023

On this week’s episode, I speak with my smart and funny cousin, Janelle Esler, about making major life changes, mental & physical health struggles, our journeys with reproductive health issues, body image, self-love and much more. I hope you enjoy this conversation and please keep going. Love ya! 💖✨

On this week's episode, I speak with my smart and funny cousin, Janelle Esler, about making major life changes, mental & physical health struggles, our journ...

08/16/2023

On this episode, I continue my conversation with Maddux Eckerling about self-love, wisdom at any age, activism and using your voice for good, self-acceptance and much more.

This is a continuation of our first conversation, so please go back and listen to Episode 5A if you haven't already.

I want to thank Maddux Eckerling for this candid conversation and for all of you listening. If you'd like to see some of Maddux's other work, DM me for the link. Please keep going- we need ya!

https://youtu.be/BZflB-z8Yzg

On this episode, I continue my conversation with Maddux Eckerling about self-love, wisdom at any age, activism and using your voice for good, self-acceptance...

08/14/2023

Mental Health Heroes: Patricia Deegan, PhD

“Patricia Deegan PhD is a psychologist and researcher. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager. For years, Patricia has worked with people with mental disorders in various ways, to help them get better and lead rewarding lives.

She is an independent consultant who specializes in researching and lecturing on the topic of recovery and the empowerment of people diagnosed with mental illness. Pat is an activist in the disability rights movement and has lived her own journey of recovery after being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager.

She is the creator of the CommonGround Approach, which includes CommonGround - a web application to support shared decision making in the psychopharmacology consultation, and RECOVERYlibrary - a collection of recovery oriented resources aimed at providing the tools, the hope, and the inspiration to recovery after a diagnosis of mental illness.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yawlKbOvHHo

Text: Stories From The Road
Video: Voices of Recovery

Dr. Patricia E. Deegan is an independent consultant specializing in research and education about mental health recovery and the empowerment of mental health ...

08/12/2023

Saturday Cinema Club: The Year Between
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Streaming: Peacock

Written/Directed by: Alex Heller

Focuses: Mental illness, family dynamics, helping Loved Ones with mental illness, therapy, recovery, medication, etc.

“Writer/director Alex Heller pulls off a dazzling tonal high-wire act for her directorial debut, the story of a bipolar 20-year-old woman named Clemence. In the first act of “The Year Between,” she moves back in with her family to their small Illinois town, is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is set on a foggy path of learning what medications and life choices will give her a balance. Clemence is in nearly every scene, sharing the movie’s humble Midwestern backdrop with different family members, possible new friends, and high school throwbacks. The uncertainty in these interactions provides the movie with its main stakes, and when Heller’s writing is so rich as it often is, that’s all the viewer needs. Best of all, the film’s dialogue is naturally, wildly funny, without sugar-coating the issues it embraces. “

✨ ✨

Clemence returns home after dropping out of college with a newly diagnosed mental illness.Director: Alex Heller Stars: J. Smith-Cameron (Nancy, Rectify, Mar...

08/10/2023

“We hear a lot about active listening – listening and responding to another person to improve mutual understanding. For people in roles like a nurse or doctor, engaging and responding while listening is an ideal strategy. Checking information during a conversation helps ensure patients receive the correct treatments and medications.

But for situations when someone is experiencing symptoms of a mental health crisis, there is another kind of listening that can be more effective: empathetic listening. For a person experiencing a mental health problem, having an empathetic listener can be calming and reassuring – even healing.

Empathy, unlike sympathy, does not mean we agree with the other person or see things from the same point of view. Instead, it requires taking a moment to step outside of our normal patterns of thinking and feeling to imagine what it feels like to be the person in front of us.

The first way to diffuse a tense situation is to establish rapport with the person in distress. Listening quietly, without engaging in problem-solving, signals that you are on that person’s side. This simple gesture validates the other person’s experience.

Listening empathetically allows the listener to really hear and understand what is being said. It also makes it easier for the other person to feel they can talk freely without being judged.

Here are some ways to show empathy the next time you encounter someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis:

✨Focus on conveying empathy and not on changing the person or their perspective.

✨Slow down. Distress often increases the speed of our speech and gestures. Give the person in front of you enough time to express themselves.

✨Use a relaxed body posture. Stay close enough to the person to show you care, but do not touch the person without asking first.

Remember, the person in front of you shares your human condition – with all its needs, struggles and desires. Although you might fear making someone uncomfortable, remember that many people experiencing mental health symptoms want someone to notice them and offer support.”

Source: MentalHealthFirstAid.org

08/10/2023

Nuances of living with mental illness:
Securing good care 👩🏽‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

For half a year, I sought mental health services with what felt like only roadblocks- the waitlists were long, I wasn’t sick “enough”, no new patients were being accepted or insurance issues. I was originally diagnosed with mental illness from my general doctor which had a myriad of difficulties when I decided to try medication. When that medication had side effects, I didn’t have a mental health professional to discuss my options with.

It wasn’t until I was hospitalized for a week during a mental health crisis in 2022 that I was given a fast pass to these psychiatry services. Because I was, in fact, sick “enough” then, I was pushed to the front of the line- but even that had several hoops to jump through.

I still was unable to find services locally so I’ve used an app for over a year-working with an incredible psychologist and a psychiatrist- who both helped me transform my life. But yesterday I got an email from my therapist letting me know that Babylon was terminating services immediately- leaving MANY people without mental health and medication services (and also jobs!) sans any notice. They sent a nonchalant “sorry not sorry” email today letting us know.

Because everything was app-based, most doctors and clients will be left without any way of following up- leaving hundreds of vulnerable people without any support. I previously emailed my therapist, so he was able to contact me. So far, I have not been able to find contact info for my psychiatrist (who I adore and would at least like proper closure with). This wonderful psychiatrist also prescribes three meds that I have no way of refilling currently.

Thankfully I have done a lot of work this past year and have a ton of resources. I feel strong and stable regardless of this issue. I immediately called around and figured out interim support and medication but I can’t help but feel so sad for the people who are currently in very difficult spots and feeling abandoned.

I hope, somehow, we can all just send those people a little love and light today. 💖✨And maybe some🖕to Babylon Health

08/09/2023

On episode 5A, I have a candid conversation with Maddux Eckerling, who recently graduated from high school, about our experiences with mental illness and being hospitalized in mental health facilities, learning to advocate for ourselves, LBGTQ+ and mental health activism, and so much more. Please be gentle with yourself while listening!

I want to thank Maddux Eckerling for the inspiring conversation and for all of you listening. Please keep going- we need ya! 💖

https://youtu.be/swjEmoVKag4

On episode 5, I have a candid conversation with Maddux Eckerling, who recently graduated from high school, about mental illness, our experiences in mental he...

08/07/2023

Mental Health Heroes 🦸‍♀️: Sally Zinman

“Sally Zinman has forged strength from a place of pain, emerging as a bright and unwavering beacon for the mental health consumer movement.

Over more than three decades of activism, Sally has been a humble but eloquent voice for self-empowerment and self-determination for people living with a brain illness. She has helped elevate and upend the concept of recovery; and planted the seeds for the peer-run programs now flourishing nationwide.

Sally helped launch the country’s first statewide consumer-run organization in the 1970’s; and today, as executive director of the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations, remains a potent force, working to shatter stigma, promote a community-based, holistic approach to mental wellness, and upholding the civil rights of people living with mental illness. Thank you, Sally, for your wisdom, your endurance and for lighting the way.”

Text: Steinberg Institute
Video: Stories of Recovery

08/05/2023

“The importance in changing an illness centered perspective to a person centered recovery is that illnesses don’t recover- people do. Illnesses can be cured, put into remission, stabilized, or controlled, but they don’t recover. When someone is struggling with a serious illness, it can feel like it swallows them up. The person with the illness recovers when they rebuild their lives from the destruction caused by the illness.

Unfortunately most people with serious mental illnesses do have destruction in their lives and need person centered recovery services.

The process of recovery is the same whether they’re recovering from an illness or from any other serious destruction, like loss of a loved one, trauma of an abusive childhood, lack of family, or going to war. People can recover functions- like reading, sleeping, working, socializing, etc. People can recover internal states as well- feeling good about oneself, self-responsibility, spiritual peace, self-identity other than mentally ill. But when all is said and done, it is people who recover, not the Illness. This is why we must switch from illness-centered to person-centered for recovery to emerge.

By contrast, the beginnings of public mental health treatment are usually far removed from recovery. Too often, we’re inadvertently adding more trauma and destruction to be coped with later or dramatically reducing a sense of hopefulness, self confidence, collaboration and self determination- the keys to recovery. Even if people begin voluntarily in a clinic, they’re likely to have to begin with long waits and extensive intake processing that focuses on system needs and diagnostic based treatment plans that may be experienced as impersonal processing not really responding to their needs. Most don’t return.

The first priority is to establish a relationship. The goal of our service is not to treat Illnesses but to help people with serious mental illness have better lives. We focus not on illness based outcomes like symptom relief, but on quality of life outcomes. A focus on the relationship is primary. We guide them through the process of building hope, empowerment, & responsibility. “

Source: Ibhpartners.org