So…there was no Saturday Sanity last Saturday. Actually, there were no posts at all last weekend.

Why, you ask?

Because it was freaking gorgeous outside and I said to myself and anyone who would listen, “You know what? I am not getting on the computer today.”

Very uncharacteristic of me.

I’m actually not on the computer today, either, and won’t be tomorrow. I’m off celebrating my birthday this weekend. Yeah, it was Wednesday, but who can properly celebrate during the work week? Not I. However, I’m back to being responsible and have prepared this week’s Saturday Sanity ahead of time.

Enjoy!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I told you about California’s $8 billion bill for new medical and mental health facilities in prisons, pointed you in the direction of a poem relevant to World Mental Health Day, and did a lot of talking about the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008: the text of it, my initial thoughts about it, and some concerns many folks may have now that it’s passed.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America is calling for breakout session proposals for their Centennial Conference, “Celebrating the Legacy, Forging the Future,” the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is accepting registrations for their next live webinar “Moving From Peer to Peer Provider,” which is on October 14, 2008 and is part of their Peer Specialist Continuing Education (CE) program, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness is providing “Stuck on the Rage Road,” an excerpt from bp Magazine, Fall 2008. Oh, and the Metro Coffee Company in Wyoming recently played host to an exhibit of the photographs taken by and the written words of children with mental illness: “Photovoice: Giving Voice to Youth and Families with Mental Health Needs.”

In the world of mental health news, survey findings suggest survivors of adult cancer are more likely than other adults to suffer severe psychological distress (I wonder if they really needed a survey to figure that out), research shows children who were born after only 25 or fewer weeks are more likely than babies who stayed in the womb for the full term to have behavioral and emotional problems, and researchers at John Hopkins think ginko can help prevent damage to brain cells after strokes. Teens with mental health problems are being dropped off at hospitals under the last “safe haven” law in the nation, University of Toronto psychologists have created what they think is a “fake-proof” personality test, and some researchers believe we can count on narcissists to lead the way.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we’ve lost of one of Healthbolt’s bloggers (Liberty Kontranowski has left, but this is bittersweet news as she’s had some exciting job opportunities and life changes!), but we also have:

• Kristina Chew on a panel discussing Dr Paul Offit’s Autism’s False Prophets.
• Kristen King hosting her October Prizeapalooza at Lively Women.
• Over at Healthbolt, Liz is holding a contest for…wait for it…Harry Potter’s Candy Cauldron!
• Pink Ribbon Review’s Karen Lynch discussed reducing the risk of breast cancer on the Women’s Day Magazine talk radio show.
• Mary Emma reminds us about Blogtober Fest over at the Lifestyles Channel.
• Angelique offers eating disorder warning signs for parents.
• Grace Ibay tells us that premature ejaculation isn’t all in the mind, after all.
• Marijke discusses music easing stress and depression during pregnancy.

Now, go out and enjoy your Saturday!

Image: SXC and Mateusz Stachowski.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Responsibility Abounds

Rather than try to choose just one topic pertaining to cancer and mental health – or going the obvious route of “How Cancer Affects Your Mental Health,” which would, I think, lead to quite a generic post as the topic is so vast – I thought it’d be more beneficial to point out several different resources that deal with cancer and mental health.

After all, cancer can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Children and Cancer: If you have a child with cancer, you may want to check out the National Cancer Institutes’s Young People With Cancer: A Handbook For Parents. Not only does this handbook explain physical aspects of cancer such as treatment options, side effects, and other health problems that may arise, but it also helps you explain cancer to your child as well as what to expect when the cancer isn’t curable.

And, when you have a child with cancer you’ll undoubtedly want to share stories with other parents so that everyone can learn from one another and no one will feel as if s/he is alone. One such story is that of Jennifer Phelan and how she dealt with her seven-year-old daughter’s cancer diagnosis and eventual death: When A Child Is Dying. I think it’s a beneficial read for all parents of children with cancer, terminal or not.

Other great resources for information about children’s cancer and how to help your child understand and deal with cancer, as well as continue enjoying all the fun of being a kid, include the Children’s Cancer Association, the National Children’s Cancer Society, the Children’s Cancer Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Cancer Kids.

Women and Cancer: There are a plethora of Web sites and organizations of interest for women with cancer, including the Women’s Cancer Network, the Women’s Cancer Information Center, and the Women & Cancer Magazine. Among these resources you’ll find information about cancers specific to women, current treatment options, important nutritional needs, and inspirational stories from gals just like you.

Now, I’m a big fan of Desperate Housewives, and I couldn’t pass up sharing this article I found during my research for resources related to women’s mental health and cancer: Meeting Sexuality Needs of Women With Breast Cancer. It immediately made me think of Felicity Huffman’s character, Lynette Scavo, and her struggle with her husband to find some kind of sexual balance amidst her battle with cancer. I think the information in this article/interview pertains to women who are battling any kind of cancer, and let’s face it: Being diagnosed with cancer and fighting the battle is a hard enough blow to your mental well being; discovering that you no longer feel feminine, sexy, or desirable is extra salt on the wound for some ladies.

Men and Cancer: At the risk of sounding sexist (and I may have already blown it with my thoughts on women, sexiness, and cancer), many men generally like to feel strong, in control, and as if they can handle anything and handle it preferably without the help of others. (Well, don’t they? I have a dad, I’ve been married, and I have male friends – in the words of William Miller’s mother Elaine in my favorite movie of all time, Almost Famous, “I know what’s going on.”) More importantly, many men don’t like to feel scared. It’s OK – none of us do. Being diagnosed with and facing a battle against any illness, including cancer, is a scary situation. Fear, helplessness, anger – they’re all sure to wreak havoc on your mental well being.

It’s important for men to understand that there is support and help out there, and that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking it. Any cancer-specific organization can help you learn more about your specific cancer; the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute are good places to start. However, for Web sites and organizations that offer more personal support groups and online forums, try Malecare, Us TOO, and TC-Cancer.

As you can see, there are numerous resources out there for you whether you are a man or woman with cancer or the parent of a child with cancer. Educating yourself and finding support are two key ways to keep your mental health intact during trying times, and I sincerely hope any of these Web sites and organization will help get you started.

For the official list of all b5media Health & Wellness theme day posts, visit Marijke Durning’s Help My Hurt post Living with Cancer: Help My Hurt hosts this month’s Theme Day.

Image sources and credits here, here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Nurture Mental Health During The Fight Against Cancer