Category Archives: Mental Health

Mental Health

Men Can Defeat Depression; Boost Mental Health!

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There seems to be a new trend now, whereas everyone seems to be opening up about depression and Mental Health.  I do think it is wonderful and healthy for women and especially for men who are now coming forward in droves to talk about themselves and their depression to their peers,Therapists and Psychologists. This is the healthiest we have seen men open up about Mental Health in a decade, which is fabulous!  Below is a helpful article for men about having to deal with depression!

~Lindsay, Forum Administrator

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Fact vs. fiction: Ending the stigma of mental illness

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Many times we think we understand something well, but we may just not have all the facts.

 When it comes to mental illnesses, there is a misunderstanding on what it is, and most importantly what it isn’t. If you are considering treatment for yourself or someone you love, it is crucial to differentiate between fact and fiction. Here’s some help to know the truth:

FICTION: Only “crazy” people get mental health treatment.

FACT: Mental illness can happen to anyone. You are not alone. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMH) states that “one in four adults, approximately 61.5 million Americans, experience mental illness in a given year and approximately 20% of youth ages 13 to 18 experience some kind of mental disorder in a given year.”

FICTION: Mental illness is a sign of weakness.

FACT: Mental illness is not caused by personal weakness. It is a disease like any other and cannot be easily cured by positive thinking or willpower. Mental illness is not related to a person’s character or intelligence. It falls along a continuum of severity. Some people require proper treatment.

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Retail Therapy: One In Three Recently Stressed Americans Shops To Deal With Anxiety

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The Huffington Post  |  By Carolyn Gregoire  

 

 

Forget meditation and yoga: For many stressed-out Americans, the best remedy for a stressful day at work or the sting of a painful breakup is the smell of brand-new clothing, the feel of a silk dress and the sound of a credit card being swiped. If you turn to retail therapy in times of anxiety, you're not alone — according to a recent survey, nearly one in three recently stressed Americans (which accounts for 91 percent of the general population) shops to deal with stress.

 

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Don’t stigmatize those with mental illness

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By Angela Cain | Thursday, May 16, 2013 1:24 pm

If someone has cancer, heart disease or certain other physical ailments, we have compassion for them. But there is one illness that often elicits shame, not compassion. It is silenced in many families and that silence can add to the burden of those who have it: Mental Illness.

Think about it. If someone in your family suffers from depression, anxiety disorders, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia, do you share that information as easily as you do other health conditions? Over the centuries, our society has conditioned us to feel as if mental health issues are something to hide – a character flaw.

When we feed into that stereotype, we may inadvertently send a signal to friends and family with mental illness, that they would be judged, unloved or shunned. Research shows that the causes of mental illness are usually a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

It is not the fault of the person with the mental illness.

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Big Stars Shine Light on Mental Illness in New TV Movies

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Call Me Crazy 

Brittany Snow and Jason Ritter which premiered on
Lifetime Television on April 20. (Photo: Lifetime Television)

By Katrina Gay, NAMI Director of Communications

In April, Lifetime Television premiered Call Me Crazy, a series of interconnected short films that deal with the subject of mental illness. Through five short stories named after each title character—Lucy, Eddie, Allison, Grace and Maggie—powerful relationships built on hope and triumph give viewers a new understanding of what happens when a loved one struggles with mental illness.

The two-hour movie event aired on television on Sat., April 20. NAMI attended the premiere on April 16 in Los Angeles and was honored by the network for its work on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness. In addition, Lifetime presented NAMI with a generous contribution and a public service announcement titled It’s Time. The PSA features testimonials by many of the film’s talent, including Brittany Snow, Jennifer Hudson, Octavia Spencer, Ernie Hudson, Jean Smart, Melissa Leo and others, who all joined together to urge action and support for NAMI.

Other stars associated with the film included Jennifer Anniston, who served as one of the film’s executive producers, and Ashley Judd, who directed Maggie.

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