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It’s almost time to vote for America’s next leader, and if you’re anything like me…well, you’d be quite pessimistic, jaded, and apathetic. (Well, let me take that back. I’m not really that apathetic. I care quite a bit. I just have a bad feeling about both directions, and rather than stress myself out even more…I’m just going to wait and see what happens.)
However, even if you are feeling like me, you should still vote. Given how important the issue of health care is in all elections, and given a national mental health parity finally passed this …read more

What’s this? Saturday Sanity is on time this week? Do tell!
This week at Mental Health Notes, things were pretty busy. In addition to Kristina’s Newsweek interview about John McCain’s talk of autism, I told you about a few mental health campaigns and communities like Howie Mandel’s Adult ADHD Is Real, Canada’s Let’s Face This, and icyou’s mental health videos and vlogs. I also told you about a new study regarding memory side effects of using ecstasy just once, and dove into the brains of sociopaths (well, kind of) with posts about Private Practice and resources to learn more about sociopathy.
Regarding …read more

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 …read more

I’ve been fairly stressed out this week.
The state of the American economy, the housing market, health insurance (or lack thereof), my yet-to-be paid off student loans – in other words, money (or again, lack thereof) – all have me freaking out just a bit about my future and my country’s future.
I didn’t used to worry about things like this. Of course, I don’t remember a time in my life when things ever seemed this bad.
Anyone else feeling the stress? Have some suggestions for mellowing out? I’d love to hear them.
In the meantime, let’s check out what’s going on in the …read more

Whoa! I have had one hectic week! Most of it has been work-related, so I’m not complaining (when one is a freelance writer and editor, one doesn’t complain when work gets hectic), but I’ve barely been able to leave my desk long enough to take Chopper outside.
Next week is going to be just as hectic, but that’s mostly because of all the big plans I have for Mental Health Notes, as well as something special all of us in the b5media Health & Wellness Channel are cooking up.
Oooh, I bet you’re curious now.
Have patience and, in the meantime, enjoy this …read more

Saturday’s just don’t have the same magic they had when I was a kid. Saturday’s used to mean no school. Sleeping in. Hanging out with friends until all hours of the night. Going to the pool, or the mall, or some other such fun place.
Now, Saturdays mean catching up on work. Getting a quick call in with a friend. Doing chores I didn’t have time to do during the week. Going grocery shopping, doing laundry, or some other such mundane task.
It’s sad when you have to plan a lazy Saturday, yes?
In any event, enjoy this week’s Saturday Sanity. And the …read more

Feel like taking part in a nationwide mental health movement today? Don’t have much time for anything other than a phone call?
Then you’re in luck.
According to Mental Health America, today is National Parity Call-In Day, a day that we’re all urged to call our U.S. Senators and our U.S. Representative and urge them to bring mental health parity to a vote.
With Congress back in session this week and only a short time left, it must pass mental health parity legislation. This is the moment to remind lawmakers that parity legislation is critical, unfinished business.
Never in the almost two-decade fight for …read more

In yesterday’s post for the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate,” I wrote about how you can easily become a mental health advocate when you stop yourself and others from promoting mental health stigma.
Today, let’s look at how large mental health advocacy and research organizations can help.
Number Two: Become a mental health advocate when you get involved with large mental health advocacy and research organizations.

Just when I think I’m going to have a normal week (i.e. one not bogged down with getting caught up with work and chores, but one actually spent working and “choring” at a regular pace!), a gigantic tree about 20 feet from my house decides to give up on life and take a few power and telephone lines down with it.
Fortunately, no one (and no homes) were hurt, but most of my street went without power and/or telephones for two days – which not only blows for people who, you know, want to keep the food in their refrigerators cold, …read more

Mental Health America would like to remind everyone (or, notify, for those of you who don’t know) that an anonymous donor has offered to match all donations to their Resource Center from August 22 to September 8 – up to $2,000!
Matching Gift Alert: An anonymous donor has agreed to match all donations to the Resource Center from August 22 to September 8, up to $2,000! Every dollar you pledge gives the Resource Center $2 to help those in need. Act now!
You can visit Mental Health America: Help Save Lives to read about how the Resource Center helps people in need …read more