43 min
Winging It Episode 15: Breaking the Mental Health Stigmas Winging It
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- Personal Journals
The stigma of Mental Health is still all around us. We feel the supposed shame and even choose to not talk about it at times ourselves. We'd like to keep breaking that attitude down.
Seeing and acknowledging the approaches to Mental Health in our own families and family line, helps the conversation for us and for our children and others in our lives. From "nerve pills" to Xanax, we discuss the things that affect our bodies and lives for several generations. Engaging in conversations with those around us helps us develop better coping skills. Amy's daughter recommends searching out a Spotify App called Daily Wellness at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFwIFWJQozmXp?si=amBBoj5zQBSPNZV0-fJqeQ .
With the current pandemic situation, we're applying the skills we've learned to be able to handle what we have to deal with now. Amy's conversations with her daughter show how we can apply the communication skills and learn to discuss what we're really feeling. Heather shares about going to a Strong Bonds (https://www.strongbonds.org) event for military couples and learning about the Five Love Languages (https://www.5lovelanguages.com) and the Speaker-Listener techniques (https://www3.nd.edu/~pmtrc/Handouts/Speaker_Listener_with_Example.pdf) for communicating in her relationships and in life.
Sometimes the gorgeous front yard hides the rocks and weeds in the backyard. What do we show off, show to our neighbors and family, and what do we take care of for ourselves? The stigma is pervasive. Even in the Military. There are some commanders who encourage taking care of their Mental Health in their Soldier's lives, and there are some who still deny it and try to cover it up. *
*Extra note from Heather: "This article by Nate Dinger for Medium points out the need for acceptance and treatment for our Military. The author is a friend, and is an excellent example of a Commander who leads with understanding." - https://medium.com/@natedanger/stigma-ptsd-and-addiction-the-importance-of-treatment-support-and-acceptance-531d4e306683
The current pandemic is creating a level of trauma and frustrations for many, so remember you are not alone. It will not be this way forever.
Amy believes that part of the problem is when we believe our Mental Illness doesn't allow us to trust our own minds. We may not want to admit that we're out of control of our minds. Heather associates that to a sprained ankle (it sorta makes sense), but we have to learn to trust ourselves and heal our bodies so we can keep going.
Medication can help correct brain chemistry, and this is a partnership and awareness between you and your therapist to find the prescription that fits for you. Using medication can help balance the chemistry inside and allow us to focus on meditation or other work to keep bettering ourselves. In this day and age, there is constant influence from the world around us. And we acknowledge that not everyone will have these impacts or will others react the same way to an event.
We both note that when we're in the middle of a depressive episode, we don't want to reach out, we don't want to engage. This can be a signal for our friends to pay attention and be able to help us, and note that it "it's hard to ask for help when you're in it." Make a therapist appointment in the clear moments and take care of yourself when you can.
There is no immediate fix, no easy button. Even starting medication can take a bit of time for your system to adjust, and for your own body to find what works,...
The stigma of Mental Health is still all around us. We feel the supposed shame and even choose to not talk about it at times ourselves. We'd like to keep breaking that attitude down.
Seeing and acknowledging the approaches to Mental Health in our own families and family line, helps the conversation for us and for our children and others in our lives. From "nerve pills" to Xanax, we discuss the things that affect our bodies and lives for several generations. Engaging in conversations with those around us helps us develop better coping skills. Amy's daughter recommends searching out a Spotify App called Daily Wellness at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFwIFWJQozmXp?si=amBBoj5zQBSPNZV0-fJqeQ .
With the current pandemic situation, we're applying the skills we've learned to be able to handle what we have to deal with now. Amy's conversations with her daughter show how we can apply the communication skills and learn to discuss what we're really feeling. Heather shares about going to a Strong Bonds (https://www.strongbonds.org) event for military couples and learning about the Five Love Languages (https://www.5lovelanguages.com) and the Speaker-Listener techniques (https://www3.nd.edu/~pmtrc/Handouts/Speaker_Listener_with_Example.pdf) for communicating in her relationships and in life.
Sometimes the gorgeous front yard hides the rocks and weeds in the backyard. What do we show off, show to our neighbors and family, and what do we take care of for ourselves? The stigma is pervasive. Even in the Military. There are some commanders who encourage taking care of their Mental Health in their Soldier's lives, and there are some who still deny it and try to cover it up. *
*Extra note from Heather: "This article by Nate Dinger for Medium points out the need for acceptance and treatment for our Military. The author is a friend, and is an excellent example of a Commander who leads with understanding." - https://medium.com/@natedanger/stigma-ptsd-and-addiction-the-importance-of-treatment-support-and-acceptance-531d4e306683
The current pandemic is creating a level of trauma and frustrations for many, so remember you are not alone. It will not be this way forever.
Amy believes that part of the problem is when we believe our Mental Illness doesn't allow us to trust our own minds. We may not want to admit that we're out of control of our minds. Heather associates that to a sprained ankle (it sorta makes sense), but we have to learn to trust ourselves and heal our bodies so we can keep going.
Medication can help correct brain chemistry, and this is a partnership and awareness between you and your therapist to find the prescription that fits for you. Using medication can help balance the chemistry inside and allow us to focus on meditation or other work to keep bettering ourselves. In this day and age, there is constant influence from the world around us. And we acknowledge that not everyone will have these impacts or will others react the same way to an event.
We both note that when we're in the middle of a depressive episode, we don't want to reach out, we don't want to engage. This can be a signal for our friends to pay attention and be able to help us, and note that it "it's hard to ask for help when you're in it." Make a therapist appointment in the clear moments and take care of yourself when you can.
There is no immediate fix, no easy button. Even starting medication can take a bit of time for your system to adjust, and for your own body to find what works,...
43 min