People who are suicidal are all too often met with terror and control. Most people who feel suicidal need to talk about it. Approaching people with love and openness means NOT being terrified of that persons dark places. And not reacting in a knee-jerk and controlling manner. That has never allowed anyone to feel safe to open up about the painful vulnerability they are most assuredly experiencing when feeling suicidal. ...
As a species on the brink of many sorts of environmental disasters that threaten our world and our lives, we need an ecopsychology. We need it now. Consider this. … [click on title to read post]
In an email group with mental health professionals someone said that they thought that it was difficult to communicate optimism if one is themselves pessimistic. This was in reference to folks who are labeled mentally ill... I can tell you right off the bat, transformational healing will not happen in such a setting. Because: It's not difficult but impossible to communicate hope if one is pessimistic. And this is the foundational problem with the mental health system and most mental health providers within that structure. Most do not know what is possible in terms of transformative healing and cannot help but perpetuate their pessimistic ignorance...it's not even their fault. It simply is what is. (and I might add we are all guilty of this at one time or another because it's part of being human...none of us know the full extent of what is possible in any given situation especially for another human being)
Lyrics first, then the video below. Love this. The lyrics are great and it's like the Police except techno (ish). Sting has always written lyrics that touch my soul. ... [click on title to read post and see video]
Question from a reader: Physically when were you able to start pushing yourself with regularity?
Answer: I don't push. I practice not pushing. This seems to be a good way to live in general in order to stay healthy. But when you're sick it's critically important not to push. -- Instead I gently lean against what might be called the edge. Pushing you fall over (and down)...leaning in a bit you can come back and rest and then go out again. It's really important to learn this... Granted, I say practice because we all push on occasion. But if I push, I still pay for it...so I practice not pushing...like I said. I get better at it all the time. ... [click on title to read the rest]
TODAY -- From the Campaign for real change in mental health policy
On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, we invite you to participate in our day of action. We encourage you to call, write, or Tweet to your members of Congress and let them know that the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act is bad for America. ...[click on title to read the rest]
"We don't have many models for what it looks like to persevere on this healing journey and many stop prematurely. A crucial piece is the willingness to be present with our own pain. As humans it's natural to want to avoid pain, but usually it's the avoidance of pain that is more painful than the actual pain. That's why support is so essential. The wound begins in relationship and the ultimate healing occurs in relationship as well." ... [click on title to read the rest]
We've lost another mental health advocate: I wrote this piece when Michael Stone died. Today I post it in memory of Matt Stevenson. May you rest in peace Matt and thank you for all your hard work. Becoming conscious is risky business
The longer I am psych drug free the more amazing my connection to all things becomes apparent. Not just the seasons, but the cycles of the moon, the weather, sun flares and everything in my environment matters. Yes! Everything matters. And so does fall approaching.
Advanced adventures in healing the gut: biofilm eradication. -- Biofilms are when pathogenic bacteria and yeasts form a defensive substrate. It's likely the foundational reason it's difficult for many people to profoundly heal their guts.
Our bodies, in perfect reflection of our psyches, hold our personal mythologies. In this way we are all unique. This is what western medicine does not get. Clinical trials can never capture this. … [click on title to read more]
