A new survey from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) confirms that the more than two-thirds (68%) of women feel the current economic crisis has had a negative impact on them and their families.

• More than half (55%) said the current problems with the economy have had a negative impact on their mental health.
• Despite the negative impact on their mental well-being, most of the women prioritized others’ needs and other responsibilities over their own mental and physical health.
• Although 76 percent of women polled say they are participating in more positive activities than they were six months ago, they also report sharp increases in stress, anxiety, frustration and other negative mental health indicators over the same time period.

The survey reiterates a woman’s tendency to put others’ needs before her own, and shows how important it is that she addresses her own mental health needs so she can more effectively address the needs of her family. HealthyMinds.org offers women and their families information on mental health and the economy as well as a variety of other mental health topics.

The survey looked at women between the ages of 30-54 years old. To help combat this, the APA has provided us with a graphic resource to help women find a healthy way to cope.

Image: APA

Post from: Blisstree

Women, the Economy, and Mental Health

Glamour magazine wanted to find out what women really thought about their bodies, and more than that, why some women felt confident while others didn’t. They did their very first “body survey” in 1984. Do the words “leotards” and “high-impact aerobics” ring a bell at all? That was 1984. During that first survey, “75 percent of women surveyed felt they were too fat, and more than 60 percent said they were dissatisfied with or ashamed of their stomach, hips and thighs.”

Twenty-five years later, Glamour has done another survey, asking many of the same questions. They’ve found that “more than 40 percent of women still seem to be struggling with their body image.” However, there was one noticeable change. “Women under 30 are now 22 percent more likely to say they are happy with their bodies than older women are.” I know some of you women are thinking that is because younger women have better bodies in general, but it’s really more than that. For example, I’m much more comfortable with my body now and it’s heavier and less toned than it was in my 20s. In other words, age has a lot to do with things.

Women also said have professional success made them feel better about their body all over. Exercise made them feel good about certain body parts, as did having sex. Eating a healthy diet also worked. Glamour concluded that you should spend time with people that make you feel good about yourself. (I second that!) After all, we all have “days” where we feel negative, so surrounding yourself with positive folks will help you get over negative self-talk quicker. In other words, all of us might have areas we don’t like, we are beautiful nonetheless. Don’t focus on what you think is negative. Chances are, you’re the only one that does.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Love Your Body?

I have some mental health news for you ladies and…well, just ladies, as this doesn’t really pertain to the gents; unless, of course, you’re looking to find mental health information for that special lady in your life!

Revolution Health, that lovely Web site that hosted the Revolution Health Online Health Fair last year, is at it again. Only, this time, they’re hosting the online Women’s Health Expo!

Both the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) are participating in the Revolution Health Women’s Health Expo.

According to NAMI’s email, at their booth you will:

• Get information about women and depression;
• Get information about NAMI’s free education and support programs, including the NAMI Connection recovery support group;
• Get information about managing pregnancy and bipolar disorder; and more!

And, according to the DBSA’s email, at their booth you will:

• Learn about mood disorders like depression, postpartum depression and bipolar disorder – and that recovery is possible!
• Advocate for postpartum depression programs and educate yourself and others about the illness that affects 10 to 15% of new mothers.
• Register to learn from experts like Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison at our “Power of Peers” national conference in September.
• Design your own personal wellness tools at our new, online home for anyone seeking support for a life of health and well-being.
• Find support through a peer-led, recovery-based support group. Choose between online and in-person groups, or learn how to bring support to your community.

Many of us find health information online. Sure, we rely on our doctors for actual treatment, but we use the Web to research, talk with others, and even share ideas with our health care professionals. This is especially convenient for those of you who for whatever reason can’t, or don’t want to, get out of the house and travel to a traditional health fair.

Even more good news is that you can help raise money for both NAMI and the DBSA when you visit their virtual booths. Revolution Health is making a donation to each organization every time someone visits one of their booths, for total donations of up to $10,000! This means that not only can you learn more about your mental health, but you can also help two awesome organizations raise money to continue their advocacy work!

Head on over to the Revoltution Health Women’s Health Expo – I believe it’s schedule to last all month – and feel free to come back over here and share what you’ve learned!

Image: Newscom

Chato B. Stewart 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

Visit NAMI & DBSA Booths At Revoltion Health’s Women’s Health Expo!