On mental health, gardening and self development
IRL mental services can be fragmented and people face a number of barriers to accessing services: difficulty finding good information about what is available shame and/or fear of stigma transportation and/or hours of service difficulty feeling comfortable, having rapport with the counselor/therapist IRL service agencies in Canada are trying to improve this by including professional …
Continue reading Friends and Fellow Persons with Mental Illness: How Can I Help?
Today cannabis became legal across Canada; seems like a good time to talk about it in relation to mental health. Let me state up front that I support legalization for many reasons, but that doesn't mean I support it as a treatment for mental health. And it doesn't mean that I don't either. I'm curious. …
Continue reading Weed is Legal Across Canada Now: Mental Health Implications
I originally posted this Saturday, but woke up with major anxiety about it at 1 am and got up to take it down. I'll make some notes below to try and explain why. I read a post by IFLScience yesterday on myths about mental health. I was struck particularly by this passage: "Physical manifestations may …
Continue reading Mental Health IS Health: Facts and Personal Anecdotes
To my loved ones: I understand that by sharing my story, I might make you feel sad or angry. Telling my story is part of a process of claiming space for grief and emotion that has been too long in darkness. I'm ok, I will be better, and I appreciate and love you all. Processing …
I've got a few blogs lined up that fit within the broad category of self-help. I thought today I would make a start with ACE scores. If you experienced stressful, traumatizing events before age 18, as I did, you may be interested to know these events are commonly referred to as adverse childhood experiences or …
Continue reading Self-Help Topic 1 Adverse Childhood Experiences: Know Your ACE Score
This is more of a mini musing than a blog. It appeals to me just now to frame these 3 quick facts as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. 1 The Good: exercise in any form can improve your mental health. Whatever you are able to do helps, even if it is only a …
Continue reading Mini Musing: Exercise, Second-hand Smoke, Antidepressants
There have been many articles written on the ways animals can help people with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. There is even a Human Animal Bond Research Institute! Check out the research summaries they have on mental health and trauma/PTSD. My first awareness of the importance of pets to mental health came in …
Continue reading Soothe your Soul: Pet a Soft Purring Cat or Take a Brisk Walk with a Dog.
