I’ve spent much more time offline this week than normal, between the holiday weekend and visiting friends, but still found some interesting things worth checking out. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
New From the Blogs
Let’s Talk About Your Friend with Social Anxiety — www.childabusesurvivor.net
Someone you know is likely struggling with anxiety. Likely, many of you are, too, just like I am. With general anxiety running rampant across society right now, we can also assume that a large portion of social anxiety is going around too. If you have a friend who has struggled to keep plans or stay in touch, be kind. Recognize their anxiety and take a small action that sends the message that you are happy to see them. For me, it’s been a sincere hug or smile upon seeing me. It’s an immediate reminder that this person wants to be with me. There is an undeniable feeling that seeing me makes them happy. They probably have no idea how much they have done by expressing that to me, but it makes all the difference in the world. I can immediately go from being all in my insecurities to all in the acceptance and warmth of long-time friends. It might not seem like much, but it is.
Reviews Elsewhere – Addiction: Notes From the Belly of the Beast — www.childabusesurvivor.net
This brief review from Canada piqued my interest because while we tend to read a lot about addiction, one of the points of view we don’t get enough is from the addict. From their book description, I thought it might interest the many readers who struggle with addictions themselves or know someone who is dealing with them now.
Sharing – How Social Anxiety Affects the Brain — www.childabusesurvivor.net
It’s an interesting read and might help you understand what is happening. When I say “that’s how my brain works” when describing how I conclude that people don’t like me, it is the way my brain works and interprets things. I’m not just being dramatic. Neither are your friends and loved ones.
Sharing – But first, we need to talk about it — www.childabusesurvivor.net
We have gotten better at discussing mental health over the last couple of years, and one thing that has become clear is how broken that system is. How underfunded and under-resourced mental health services are and how many people are forced to go without them. We wouldn’t know all this if we didn’t start talking about it. Hopefully, this increased attention brings about real change, not a return to not talking about it. The subject of child abuse is still considered a “downer” that people don’t want to discuss. So we don’t, and we don’t spend much time and energy as a society finding solid solutions. The problem just gets worse in silence, and the people living with that kind of trauma live in silence without the things they need.
Shared from Elsewhere
Student Wellness Issues for Schools to Watch This Year — www.edweek.org
“It’s not going to be pretty, but it is going to be better.”
How To Survive Suicidal Thoughts, From People Who Have Been There | HuffPost Life — www.huffpost.com
Read this mental health advice, which may help you navigate feelings of hopelessness, depression and more.
Revelations From a Man Who Survived Childhood Sexual Abuse – The Sunrise Warrior — thesunrisewarrior.com
Never underestimate who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing, childhood sexual abuse survivors. You got this!
Suicidal Thoughts Exist On A Spectrum. Here’s What To Know About Each Type. | HuffPost Life — www.huffpost.com
Suicidal ideation deserves targeted, specific attention and care.
From the Archives
Why Suicide Prevention Week Is Important for Child Abuse Survivors — www.childabusesurvivor.net
I’ve survived both childhood abuse, and a suicide attempt. I know what it feels like to believe that it will never get better, just as much as I know that it can get better because it has. Truthfully, you are a survivor, and the world needs you and your story. How else will the other survivors around you know what is possible?
Get Out of the Bubble — www.childabusesurvivor.net
Last week, I spent my time in Washington DC at a legal tech conference. Obviously, that has nothing to do with this blog,, that conference is all part of
Learn How to Be There — www.childabusesurvivor.net
I found out about this online training recently and wanted to share it: Learn to support someone struggling with their mental health through this online course created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation. You can sign up on the website below and let us know what you think about it.
Sometimes It Takes a Root Canal — www.childabusesurvivor.net
Since my work travel schedule had a little break in it this month, it was time to get some things taken care of. This week, it was a visit to the dentist,
