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

Sometimes I write a post dedicated to particular mental health awareness days, and sometimes I just provide a round up of all the awareness events taking place throughout a particular month.

I chose the former for World Mental Health Day because I stumbled across I Believe: A poem for World Mental Health Day on YouTube this morning, and really wanted to share it.

The poem isn’t specifically geared toward mental health awareness; rather, the awareness of all that is and all that can be good, hopeful, and compassionate in the world. And isn’t that what mental health awareness days are all about? Spreading the word? Spreading awareness, good news, hope, and compassion?

Yes, I believe so.

Check out the video, and if you like it and have a YouTube account, let the kid know. And, if you have any plans for World Mental Health Day, let me know below!

Post from: Blisstree

Poem For World Mental Health Day

Welcome to October, lovely readers! Home to Halloween, my birthday, and a plethora of mental health- and brain-related awareness events:

Brain Injury Awareness Month – The Brain Injury Association of America offers free, downloadable materials to help educate yourself and others about brain injuries.

Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week – The BACCHUS Network provides an online manual to give information about facts and resources, as well as ideas for promotional materials and fundraising, so you’ll be prepared when this year’s Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week kicks off on October 19. Once you’re finished there, learn more about the 12 Steps from Mark over at A Dozen Steps.

Mental Illness Awareness Week – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides special ideas and resources for recognizing Mental Illness Awareness Week October 5-11.

Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day – NAMI has also cooked up some information, resources, and downloadable materials for this years Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day October 9. Once you’ve checked those out, head over to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for even more resources!

National Depression Screening Day – Just like BPAD, National Depression Screening Day also takes place during Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 10. Visit MentalHealthScreening.org to find a screening location in your area, or get a free online depression screening.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk – Memory Walks usually take place in the fall, so visit the Alzheimer’s Association to see if any walks are happening in your area this month. Then, head over to b5media’s Alzheimer’s Notes to learn more about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Autism Awareness Month – October is Autism Awareness Month in Canada, and you can learn more about it when you visit the Autism Society of Canada. You can also learn more about autism when you visit b5media’s own Kristina Chew at Autism Vox.

World Mental Health Day – The World Federation for Mental Health provides a ton of information about this year’s World Mental Health Day.

Other awareness events of interest for all consumers?

• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• National Healthcare Quality Week
• National Health Education Week
• Health Literacy Month
• Talk About Prescriptions Month
• Make A Difference Day

As if all that weren’t enough, don’t forget to check out everything Karen Lynch has in store for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

So, what do you have planned for October?

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

October 2008 Mental Health Awareness Events