When I saw a link to an article by Deepak Chopra, Triggers for Stress, in one of my Care2.com newsletters last week, I thought the article would talk about common triggers for stress, and maybe offer a few suggestions on how to manage stress.
Instead, Chopra uses the article to point out that because everyone has different stress triggers, helping someone manage stress is a more complicated task than just offering up a list of stress management tips. Chopra also discusses the idea that this “task” is even more complicated because we all have reactions to stress based on our own …read more

The ninth step of the 12 Steps reads:
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Like the second step (and pretty much all the steps, when you get down to it), the ninth step can also apply to people with mental health issues.
Need proof? Reread my personal story at Can A Power Greater Than Yourself Restore You To Sanity? and then realize that I had to make amends with everyone I’d lied to, deceived, ignored, etc. during that time. My parents, my sister, my then husband, my best friends – once …read more

On this day (September 19) in 1982, Scott Fahlman posted the very first “emoticon” to a computer-science department bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University.
According to Wired.com, the message went like this:
19-Sep-82 11:44 Scott E Fahlman
From: Scott E Fahlman
I propose that the following character sequence for joke markers:

Read it sideways. Actually, it is probably more economical to mark things that are NOT jokes, given current trends. For this, use:

And, according to Mark Stibich, Ph.D. at About.com, not only does smiling make us attractive, boost our immune systems, lower our blood pressure, and make us appear …read more

Today’s post is the third in a series written specifically for Mental Health Notes by Vancouver blogger Airdrie Miller. It chronicles her personal experiences with anxiety and depression, and how she handles the delicate balance of work, rest, and play.
Tips for Returning to Work

After having been on medical leave for 12 months, I returned to work. I remember feeling awkward about what I would say, and how I would manage. After all, I hadn’t been on vacation – I’d been through a difficult episode of major depression. Coming back turned out to be very successful, and I would like to …read more

Today was the last day for the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate” series here at Mental Health Notes.
And, if you missed it, you don’t have to scroll through the site trying to find each post – I’ve rounded them all up for you right here!
Number One: Stop Yourself And Others From Promoting Mental Health Stigma. People with any kind of illness – mental illness included – are up against a lot. Refraining from using stigmatizing words and committing actions that contribute to stigma is a great way to be a mental health advocate!
Number Two: Get Involved …read more

So far in the “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate” series here at Mental Health Notes, I’ve given you reasons to stop promoting stigma and a list of large mental health advocacy and research organizations with which you can get involved.
Today, let’s talk about the importance of smaller mental health support groups, how you can get involved with one, and how you can even start one if there are none in your area.
Number Three: Become a mental health advocate when you get involved with mental health support groups, or start a mental health support group.

It’s that time of the month again here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel – Theme Day!
September’s theme is – appropriately – “back to school,” so I thought I’d share some tips with parents on how to help their children keep a sharp, healthy mind now that the swimming pools are drained and the book bags are full.
Tip #1: Make sure your child eats plenty of brain food. Food that’s good for our brains not only promote good brain function (and honestly, what kid couldn’t use that come test time?), but a healthy diet full of food that’s good …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.

Back in August, Angelique of Breaking the Mirror wrote about the top eight ways to become an eating disorders recovery advocate. I thought it was such an awesome idea that I decided to do it here at Mental Health Notes!
As I started writing, however, I realized just how much information can go into helping someone become a mental health advocate. So, I’ve broken the list into five separate posts for you to peruse all week in a series called “Top 5 Ways To Be A Mental Health Advocate,” starting with:
Number One: Become a mental health advocate when you stop promoting …read more

When someone very close to me lost a parent last weekend, my own life paused (actually, my own life paused the stressful and devastating week leading up to the death).
My work, my commitments, and my pets (thank God I live close to my family) took a back seat while I stood beside another person and helped with everything from everyday needs (laundry, trash, and bills) to those tasks we never want to complete but know, most likely, we’ll have to tackle some day (phone calls, funeral arrangements, and that last, long drive from the cemetery).
Being a person’s support system means …read more