Or, at least, until you turn your computers off tonight!

Image: I Has A Hotdog!

Post from: Blisstree

Treatment For Canine Depression

I enjoy a good dose of mental health humor from time to time. As long as it doesn’t make fun of, abuse, or otherwise degrade people with mental illness and promote stigma, I think it’s healthy to laugh at ourselves sometimes.

I’m sure my feelings play a big role in why I heart Chato’s efforts at Mental Health Humor so much.

However, this borderline personality disorder cartoon at Toothpaste For Dinner doesn’t sit well with me.

The t-shirt in the cartoon reads:

Front:
ASK ME ABOUT BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

Back:
OR I SWEAR TO GOD I’LL KILL MYSELF

I’m not an expert on borderline personality disorder (actually, I’m not an expert on any mental illness – I’m just your average consumer going through and researching the same experiences and resources as you). I have a working knowledge of the disorder, but I couldn’t understand the suicide reference in the cartoon.

So, I turned to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as I’ve done so many times before, looked for their section on borderline personality disorder, and found:

There is a high rate of self-injury without suicide intent, as well as a significant rate of suicide attempts and completed suicide in severe cases.

Suicide threats and attempts may occur along with anger at perceived abandonment and disappointments.

So, the words on the t-shirt in the cartoon now make sense to me, but this new understanding didn’t launch a giggle fest.

There’s a fine line between offensive and humorous when it comes to mental health cartoons and jokes. Some people manage not to cross that line, and for that I’m truly grateful, because, hey, we all need a laugh sometimes.

However, there is nothing funny about any aspect of suicide – talking about it, thinking about it, threatening to do it, or completing it. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Suicide is always a serious matter. If someone is contemplating or attempts suicide, he or she is going through some pretty heavy stuff. If someone actually completes a suicide, he or she will never come back.

The person will never get a chance to change his or her mind, and the family members, friends, and other loved ones are left to deal with that forever.

What the hell is funny about any of that?

So, to you, Toothpaste For Dinner cartoonist: I’ve viewed, and enjoyed, most of your cartoons for a couple of years now. I’ve been a semi-faithful visitor to your site, and even laughed at your anxiety cartoon. But your borderline personality disorder cartoon is tasteless, offensive, and inconsiderate.

Shame on you, and you get an A.S.S. Award.

For those who would like to learn more about borderline personality disorder, I recommend checking out:

• The NIMH’s Borderline Personality Disorder Fact Sheet
• NAMI’s page on Borderline Personality Disorder
• The Mayo Clinic’s section on Borderline Personality Disorder
• BPD Central
• BPD World
• Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center

Image: Mine

Post from: Blisstree

And The A.S.S. Award Goes To…Toothpaste For Dinner

For some reason, there wasn’t really any mental health advocacy news to report this week. Ah, it’s just as well. The sun is shining and my dog wants to play.

Enjoy your Saturday!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I kept things mostly light. Tickets for Broadway’s revival of Equus went on sale, and UK mental health blogger Simon Brody told us the play was a well received in London. In light of a Yahoo! article about hair loss, I talked about hair loss and stress, and in light of the Olympics, I pointed to a few mental health resources for Chinese. I also shared a cute (dog? brain? haha!) picture of an loldog and a mental health public service announcement from the 1970s. Oh, and I was interviewed (and honored!) over at Mental Health Humor.

In the world of mental health news, an article at nola.com reports that post-Katrina victims are experiencing less anxiety, but more depression. International researchers have found three gene variations that increase the risk of schizophrenia. Psychologists from Duke and Ohio State study the way people tend to alter their behavior, both consciously and automatically, in order to “fit in.” Researchers now think two predictors of post-partum suicide attempts are histories of substance abuse or psychiatric disorders. And, Kelly with the Nursing Online Education Database would like to pass along one of the site’s new articles, 100 Healthy Habits You Should Start in College.

And, here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, Liberty at Healthbolt tells us how we can get rid of our old medications and help people out in the process, Grace at Kids Health Notes offers some tips on how to tell if your children are stressed, overworked, and anxious, and Marijke at Womb Within talks about celebrities and postpartum depression. As usual, there are tons of freebies and giveaways going on, so be sure to check out Angelique at Breaking the Mirror, Scott at Health and Men, and Kristen at Lively Women.

And, sadly, Gabrielle is leaving the b5blogger family. We’ll miss you!

Alright folks, that brings another Saturday Sanity to a close. Send me your mental health news and advocacy stories, and I’ll get them in next week’s edition!

Image: Mine

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Where Are The Mental Health Advocates?

Earlier today I put China under a mental health spotlight.

Well, also earlier today, Chato at Mental Health Humor put Mental Health Notes under a spotlight – two spotlights, actually!

Not only did Chato interview me for his weekly 5 Questions Friday feature, where we talked about my goals with Mental Health Notes, my experiences as a NAMI Affiliate Leader, and how I got involved in the world of mental health advocacy, but he also passed me the Arte y Pico Award.

According to the rules, I must now pass the Arte y Pico Award on to five other bloggers, so stay tuned for my winners!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Notes Is Under The Spotlight

It’s July 26, and for completely random reasons, it’s time for another edition of What Do You Really Want?

Since the last edition of What Do You Really Want?, there’s been a pretty well-balanced mix of serious and hilarious searches. So, I thought I’d represent them both. And, hopefully I’ve been able to point you in the right direction with each of them.

5 MHN Search Phrases I May or May Not Be Able to Help You With

1. “celebrities disorder” – Hmm…while I’m not opposed to discussing the possibility that being a celebrity might actually be a problem, I do believe it’s yet to be labeled as a disorder. If you’re looking for celebrities with mental health disorders, try Introducing Celebrity Health Week: Celebrities And Mental Illness for a round up of posts related to famous people and mental illness. If it’s just good, juicy celebrity scoop you’re looking for, try b5media’s Celebrities Channel.
2. “how to increase memory of men” – Ha! Start forgetting things yourself. You know, important things. *wink wink*
3. “opinions about pzizz” – You’re in luck! I reviewed this product earlier this month, and I really liked it. Check it out: Product Review: Using pzizz to Treat Sleep Problems and Increase Energy.
4. “personality disorder and cartoon” – My blogging buddy Chato B. Stewart is a seriously talented cartoonist and creates some pretty funny mental health cartoons. You should definitely check out his site, Mental Health Humor.
5. “trans atlantic lunatic asylum” – I’m not familiar with a “Trans Atlantic Lunatic Asylum,” but I am familiar with the old Weston Hospital, which is now referred to as the “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.” If that’s the one you meant, join in the conversations at these Mental Health Notes posts: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Upsets Mental Health Advocates and Ghost Hunters Declare The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Haunted.

Well, that’s all for the July edition of What Do You Really Want? Keep your searches coming and maybe yours will be featured next month!

Image: morgueFile

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Notes Asks: What Do You Really Want? July Edition

Counselor, comedian, speaker, and author of The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead To Happiness and Success David Granirer will be available for chatting and questions in today’s Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Recovery Chat: Laughter’s the Best Medicine.

During the chat, Granirer will let you know how to become part of his program, Stand Up for Mental Health, which “helps mental health consumers turn their problems into comedy, then perform their acts at conferences, treament centres, psych wards, and for various mental health organizations.”

The chat times are as follows:

Eastern: 4:30 p.m.
Pacific: 1:30 p.m.
Mountain: 2:30 p.m.
Central: 3:30 p.m.

I don’t know if I’ll attend or not. Thus far, I should be here at my computer at 4:30 p.m., but that’s always subject to change. If any of you attend, feel free to come back here and share what you learn!

The above image is owned by Jason D’ Great and is being used according to these Creative Commons attributions.

If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over to This Is Why I ROCK! and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Quick Announcement: DBSA Recovery Chat: Laughter’s The Best Medicine

It’s Brain Break time, and I have the perfect video to make up for Brain Break’s absence last week – Dane Cook explaining crying on his Vicious Circle tour in…2006, I believe.

If you appreciate comedy, you’ve surely seen it; even so, it’s worth another watch. It’s funny hysterical, and it’s so true.

And, if today happens to be the day the world taps you on the shoulder for some crying, it may just give your brain a break.

WARNING: Watching this video will subject you to a sprinkle of foul language – the F-word here, the S-word there – so don’t click the link if you don’t want to be exposed to it.

Dane Cook Explains Crying

Enjoy!

If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over to the This Is Why I ROCK! and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Brain Break: Dane Cook On Crying

Stop wondering about that, and enjoy this week’s Saturday Sanity!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I provided a very brief overview of self-medication and dual diagnosis resources, updated you on Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s brain surgery and future plans, shared a funny video on herd behavior and one on refocusing your mental energy, directed you to a PETA resource for grieving and feeling guilty over your pets, participated in the first ever Healthbolt Carnival, griped about one man’s predictions on how we’ll be learning in the future, and offered some encouraging words from Joel Osteen.

In the world of mental health advocacy and fellow mental health bloggers, Chato B. Stewart’s Mental Health Humor blog won Today.com’s Editor’s Choice Award for Enthusiasm and Effort, Jerry at ADHDFamilies gave the site a serious overhaul (and it looks great!), and Dr. Robin Altman’s new book, An Irreverent Take On Child Psychiatry, is available for sale. everyminute.org is increasing the number of signatures on its Online Declaration and offers a list of ways to help spread the word, the DBSA has made available an online transcript of the genetics and bipolar disorder chat with Dr. Melvin G. McInnis, and finally, Mental Health America has announced the winners of the Mental Health America 2008 Media Award and has honored Congressman Jim Ramstad with the Career Achievement Award.

Recent mental health news tells us that military records indicate post-traumatic stress disorder cases among Afghanistan- and Iraq-stationed soldiers has increased 46.4 percent from 2006 to 2007, while one new report suggests exposure-based therapy may help prevent cases of acute stress disorder from progressing to post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers are connecting asthma with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, Harvard Medical School researchers report children who experience better foster care may be less likely to physical and mental illnesses as adults, and surveys show students who admitted to having eating problems were more likely to also admit to having psychological problems.

In the rest of b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel contests abound! Pink Ribbon Review’s Karen Lynch is holding a contest for a Fujifilm One-Time-Use Camera, Ruth at Eating Fabulous is holding a contest for a wet of Wish-Bone Bountifuls, Grace at Kids Health Notes is giving away three Scholastic books for children, Lively Women’s Kristen is offering a chance to win three copies of High Heels to Hormones: A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care, and Womb Within’s Marijke is holding a contest for a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit.

Do you have something going on you’d like announced in Saturday Sanity? An accomplishment, a contest, or a news report, for example? Send it my way!

First 3 Images: Newscom

b5media Image: b5media

Do you want to tell the world why you ROCK? If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over the the official announcement post and enter This Is Why I ROCK! today!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: When Your RSS Feed Just Isn’t Enough

This is a comic video that illustrates the influence that a group behavior has on an individual.

As I was watching the video, I had to ask myself what would I have done in that situation? At first, I thought, “There’s no way I would keep turning around and facing different directions like that in an elevator!” However, after thinking more about it, I thought, “Yes, I probably would, because everyone else was (feel up to a jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, anyone?), but I know for certain I’d be laughing my ass off the entire time.”

Although it doesn’t explicitly say in the video, I think this is a pretty clear example of “herd behavior.”

For more information on herd behavior, check out Wikipedia’s articles on herd behavior. I know, I know, Wikipedia isn’t 100% reliable, but this piece does give some insight on herd behavior (including herd behavior in animals, herd behavior in human societies – including financially-related herd behavior – and herd behavior regarding everyday decisions), as well as additional resources to check out.

Air is currently rockin’ out in the This Is Why I ROCK! series here at Mental Health Notes. If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over the the official announcement post and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Funny Google Video On Herd Behavior

My bookmarks and email inbox have been bursting at the seams this week, just waiting to get into Saturday Sanity for all you fine people! Now that the day has arrived, it’s clear to me there is so much Saturday Sanity-worthy news, I’d best break it up so as not to take up 3/4 of the front page, ha!

So, read on for what’s been going on at Mental Health Notes, in the world of mental health news and advocacy, and throughout the b5media Health & Wellness Channel!

Here at Mental Health Notes, I shared military grief and support resources in honor of Memorial Day and highlighted online OCD support resources; invited you to take The Happiness Quiz, play The Recovery Cup board game, get your groove on at YouLicense.com, and laugh it up with Chato B. Stewart and his new mental health cartoon; pointed you in the direction of some life tips from Mark Twain; published the May edition of What Do You Really Want?; shared some thoughts on the recently declared haunted Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum; and passed along a Greenpeace report regarding video game consoles and learning, memory, and behavioral problems.

Oh, and the most exciting news of all: The spotlight is on a new rocker – Air!

In mental health advocacy news, Mental Health America is urging us to ask our representatives to vote for a delay on harmful and ill-advised Medicaid regulations. Mental Health America was also noted for its “Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit to Advance New Strategies.” The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlights Amber Main, a NAMI Virginia member who was featured on MTV’s “True Life: I Have Schizophrenia.” Dave at Dare To Dream wants to share thoughts and a video about neuroanatomist Jill Bolt Taylor’s self-discovery after suffering a stroke.

In regular ol’ mental health news and research, Kathleen Kingsbury tackles the debate of employees’ physical and mental health being considered equally important in TIME’s Tallying Mental Illness’ Costs. Norma Perez, a psychologist with a Texas medical facility for veterans post-traumatic stress disorder program, had the nerve to ask her staff members to stop diagnosing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder due to “compensation seeking veterans.” Earthquake survivors in China are struggling with trauma, and according to Pauline Tam of The Ottawa Citizen Canada is lagging behind in mental health spending. Depression is in the spotlight for post-stroke patients and kidney transplant patients, and Canadian researchers now say people with dementia who take antipsychotic drugs have three times the risk of developing health problems or dying than people with dementia who don’t take antipsychotics.

And, in b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel news, Marijke Durning of Help My Hurt and Womb Within explains bone marrow transplants and becoming a donor, and Angelique at Breaking the Mirror – who is apparently a fellow Lolcats fan – shares a bit of comic relief and Cancer Commentary’s Gloria Gamat tells us about Stand Up To Cancer. Liz Lewis at Healthbolt shares some vintage drug ads, and, sadly, Jul leaves Veggie Chic and the b5media family.

Oh, I could end this week’s Saturday Sanity without letting you know about all the giveaways going on within the Health & Wellness Channel! Gabrielle Sedor is being an awfully generous soul and giving away copies of the “Learn to Create a Healthy Home!” CD at Daily Tomorrow and Fertility Blend for Women vitamins at Fertility Notes. Not to be outdone, Grace Ibay at Kids Health Notes is giving away oodles of health food treats and snacks.

Whoo! I didn’t think I’d ever get that all out. Remember, if you have any Saturday Sanity news, shoot me an email with “Saturday Sanity” in the subject line.

Image: Newscom

Air is currently rockin’ out in the This Is Why I ROCK! series here at Mental Health Notes. If you have a mental illness and are still living the life you love, head on over the the official announcement post and enter!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Putting A Bee In Your Bonnet