Together We Are Strong

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rose-amour — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:56:41 -0400

Forgiveness.: How to make a Glitter Jar/Calm Jar

rambling-contortionist — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:40:37 -0400

Forgiveness.: How to make a Glitter Jar/Calm Jar:

secret-paranoia:

What you need:

- 1 jar - mason jar, baby food jar, or any kind of watertight jar with a lid

- 1/10 vegetable oil

- 9/10 water

- glitter - you can use colored glitter

- food coloring - use your favourite color

Making it:

fill 1/10 of the jar with vegetable oil and then fill the rest…

This is a great grounding tool. It sounded a little silly to me at first but I cant even explain how much it helps me when my emotions are too much to handle. I just give it a shake, watch the glitter, and become calm. I would really recommend trying this out.

Good luck and stay strong <3

Mental Health Awareness Month - Please signal boost!

paperisblood — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:39:00 -0400

paperisblood:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so for the occasion, I’ve made pin-on Awareness ribbons and a set of three labels to stick in random places like public school bathroom mirrors.

Text on labels :

“Of course it’s happening in your head; why should that make it less real? “

“If you’re struggling, please know that you’re not alone. You matter. Don’t give up. “

“Reflections in mirror may be distorted by socially constructed ideas of beauty. ”

Making the labels and the awareness ribbons isn’t difficult so I encourage you all to make some of your own with mental health statistics and quotes. Paste them around anywhere! But if you want one of this set message me with your address and how many sets you want and I’ll send a package to you.

To give more incentive to boost this,

For each reblog I’ll throw in a free bust of any character of your choice. Click here for example.

For each order of a set of pin/labels I’ll throw in a colored bust or headshot. Click here for example.

To receive your gift please message me after reblogging.

Please signal boost! Mental illness affects so many people there should be more conversation about this and not so much stigma.

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paperisblood — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:46:14 -0400

I've been experiencing a lot of problems lately... I feel i'm about to go insane, this is too much and all i want to do is just, cease to exist. Nobody doesn't even want me. I've been having severe mood swings and i feel like a crazy person. I want to be alone... Please help me.

retardsintinfoil — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:32:06 -0400

Hey, sweetheart,

I’m sorry you’re having a rough go of it right now. I know how it feels, like you’re coming apart at the seams and you just want everything to stop happening. But let me tell you, whatever that voice on the inside says, that no one wants you or you can’t do anything right or you might as well just take yourself out of the equation for everyone else, it’s not true. Let me just say that again.

IT IS NOT TRUE.

You are loved by so many, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. It’s okay that you can’t see that right now. You’re not crazy, you’re just struggling right now and that’s okay. It sucks, but it doesn’t make you worthless or a bad person. You deserve someone to help you keep going, and if you don’t feel like you can ask for that right now, I’m more than happy to be that person for as long as you need me.

You don’t have to do this alone, and no matter what you might think, you don’t deserve to fight this fight by yourself. You deserve someone to have your back, and anon, sweetheart, I’m here for that. I am more than happy to have your back right now.

Love always,

Macy

survivorschat: Open Scheduled Chat Topic: How to move on after...

paperisblood — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:20:02 -0400

survivorschat:

Open Scheduled Chat

Topic: How to move on after abuse

When: Mon, May 13, 2013 9PM ET + 1AM ET

Where: Chat Room 2

oceann-fae: snapdraws: Apologies for the terrible image...

rambling-contortionist — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:38:30 -0400

oceann-fae:

snapdraws:

Apologies for the terrible image quality - I’m lacking scanner access at the minute so I had to take these photos on my phone

I was reading hyperbole and a half’s blog entry explaining their experience of depression and decided to make another sketchy comic based on my experiences with anxiety, which is another mental illness I think people tend to misunderstand quite frequently

Hopefully this will be of use to some people - whether they suffer from anxiety themselves or if they just want to know more about it

This, fucking this, all day every day.

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paperisblood — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:32 -0400

survivorschat: Open Scheduled Chat Topic: Dreams and how they...

paperisblood — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:44:08 -0400

survivorschat:

Open Scheduled Chat

Topic: Dreams and how they make us feel

When: Fri, May 10, 2013 9PM ET + 1AM ET

Where: Chat Room 2

www.survivorschat.com/chat

survivorschat: Open Scheduled Chat Topic: Why We...

paperisblood — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:41:57 -0400

survivorschat:

Open Scheduled Chat

Topic: Why We Self-Harm

When: Wed, May 8, 2013 9pmET and Thur May 9, 1amET

Where: Chat Room 2

http://www.survivorschat.com/chat

survivorschat: Open Scheduled Chat Topic: Coping with...

paperisblood — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:43:22 -0400

survivorschat:

Open Scheduled Chat

Topic: Coping with Triggers

When: Monday, May 6, 2013, 9pm ET

Where: Chat Room 2

please-stay-positive: I love this

rose-amour — Sun, 05 May 2013 11:02:50 -0400

please-stay-positive:

I love this

kushandwizdom: Click here for more personal quotes

rose-amour — Sun, 05 May 2013 10:57:22 -0400

kushandwizdom:

Click here for more personal quotes

Having trouble falling asleep?

paperisblood — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:25:35 -0400

mentalillnessmouse:

[a rebloggable post of past advice from followers]

______________________________

On the computer

- F. lux creates a lovely warm glow between sundown and sunup that is supposed to not mess with your sleep cycle the way a normal screen will.

- Listen to calming music

- Rainymood.com or SimplyNoise.com [just a note for rainymood the background is a looped video of rain on a window so warning in case you get dizzy from mild flashing lights or movement]

- watch tv shows or listen to podcasts that are non-triggering. Simply hearing a familiar voice or seeing familiar faces can help

- chat/skype with a friend. Talk about what is on your mind.

_______________________________

In your room

- put a nightlight in your room or leave a lamp on

- build yourself a nest of pillows, blankets, and/or stuffed animals

______________________________

Herbs/Drinks

- Melatonin, a sleep supplement, is available for purchase in most health food and drug stores without a prescription

- sedative herbs like valerian root (can be found in teas but is also available in “herbal supplements”)

- Celestial Seasonings teas makes a “sleepytime” tea which is great if you need to relax or go to sleep

_____________________________

Misc.

- Make a list of what is worrying you and place it somewhere so you will find it the following morning

- take a warm bath or shower and scrub yourself clean

- get a little food in your stomach

- count backwards from 1000 by 7s

- Progressive tension/relaxation [progressive muscle relaxation]

__________________________________

feel free to leave a message in our ask box and we will update the list :]

rose-amour: Here’s me and my mommy after I won my town’s...

rose-amour — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:28:11 -0400

rose-amour:

Here’s me and my mommy after I won my town’s pageant on Friday night! Pardon my face; I was slightly overwhelmed, after smiling for longer than I ever have in my life.

But what’s more important is how I won. It’s not a beauty pageant; it’s based more off of community service, confidence, poise, and public speaking. They read off our community service/activities during the business portion, then we speak our future goals/platform during casual, and finish in our gowns with a question. I saw the scores the day after the pageant. It all came down to who could speak the best. Specifically, the platform.

A platform is a cause you’d like to advocate or raise awareness for. You talk about why you chose it, what you can do to help, and why they should care.

My platform was mental health awareness. I got up and stated my future goals, and spewed some statistics about mental health and adolescence. I then compared those statistics to that of the population of the high school where the pageant took place. I stated my point, then hesitated. I proceeded to tell the judges, families, and my peers that I’ve battled depression and anxiety for years, and that the hardest obstacle I’ve had to overcome was the fact that very few people understand my condition.

My mother once told me, “It doesn’t make sense to blame people for being ignorant. The only thing you can hope to do is educate them.” This is what I plan to do. I want to stop complaining about feeling alone and misunderstood, and do something about it. I’m lucky to have a voice, because so many just don’t have that volume to be able to speak. Even if I am just one voice, I’ll scream to be heard. I want people to know that depression isn’t always visible, and that it’s not okay to use “OCD” or “bipolar” as adjectives; that schizophrenia doesn’t mean multiple personalities, and that the phrase “mental illness” is okay to say out loud, in normal conversation.

Long story not very short, I won the pageant because I got up and talked about something that’s not normally talked about. I admitted to having a mental illness(I actually used the words my condition) in front of an auditorium full of people, and they gave me a tiara and a sash and a big trophy, with the responsibility of representing the town at all of the events for the next year. Because I spoke up.

Everyone needed to hug me and take a picture with me, and it took a few minutes for me to realize that every single person in that room knew that I have a mental illness. Yet, they all congratulated me and complimented me on my speaking and my gown. They respected me. One huge leap for mental health awareness. Score one for Rachel. The quote of the day: “I got up in front of an auditorium full of people and told them I had depression and anxiety, and they gave me a crown.”

My story, guys. I hope this can inspire a few people to be able to speak up. Or maybe not.

Need help but low on cash?

paperisblood — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:41:37 -0400

mentalillnessmouse:

In the case that you need medication and cannot afford it, check out needymeds and the medicine program which offer free or really discounted meds for people who need them. Also, check out this post.

For therapy, look around your area for group sessions, which tend to cost less than one-on-one sessions with a therapist/counsellor.

Use psychology today or therapist-finder to find therapists in your area and ask them about their rates. There are some therapists [especially those who are doing well financially] that will offer “sliding rates” where they will accept cash payments on a scale that depends on your current financial situation. Not all therapists or counselling providers offer this though so check around and call local crisis centers or your insurance provider [if you have one]

If you do not have issue with going to a church or religious institution for counselling/therapy…. your church or synagogue [or other institution] could put you in touch with a pastoral counselling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information check out the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Another thing to try are community health or community mental health centers. Like the above-mentioned places, fees are on a sliding scale based on income.

Try to connect with groups like mentalhealthamerica, which provide services and resources at a low cost. They also help people navigate the health system and problem solve.

Also keep in mind that at large research universities, they often have counselling available for students and others at low costs or, again, on sliding scales.

Check out a women’s shelter or crisis center in your area for additional specific resources and information on free support or self help groups. These shelters and centers should also have information on people of low income or in bad financial situation.

Stay strong you all!

There is help and hope out there. And there are always free online support groups [and our ask box is always open]

be kind to yourselves <3 and don’t hesitate to ask for help! you’re all worth it ~

-safet

Here are also some USA based resources I have found:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency responsible for administering Medicare, Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance (SCHIP) and several other programs that help people pay for health care.

Healthcare Services Locator The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a Health Center Database for a nationwide directory of clinics to obtain low or no-cost healthcare.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.

Benefits for People with Disabilities The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.

Safety Plan Template

paperisblood — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:56:37 -0400

mentalillnessmouse:

Step 1: Warning Signs (symptoms or behaviors that are signs that things are going downhill such as reduced eating, poor hygiene, isolation)

1

2

3

Step 2: Internal coping strategies (Things I can do to take my mind of my problems without contacting another person)

1

2

3

Step 3: People who can help support and distract me:

1 Name Phone

2 Name Phone

3 Name Phone

Step 4: People whom I can ask for help

1 Name Phone

2 Name Phone

3 Name Phone

Step 5: Professionals or agencies I can contact during a crisis:

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

2 Go to your local emergency room or ask a trusted person to take you there

3

4

5

6

Step 6: Making the environment safe (What can you do to make your surroundings less triggering or more soothing?)

1

2

3

Your Story Project

paperisblood — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:47:13 -0400

child-survivor:

We’re all dying to speak up and share our past with abuse, but sometimes putting your name or your face to your story is just too hard. I’ve started Your Story Project to allow survivors of all abuse to anonymously share their story. However, your stories won’t just be posted for others to read, but for others to watch and listen to. Your story will be read aloud in its own short video with sincerity and respect, and will remain completely anonymous.

There is no story too long or too short, too vague or too detailed. It may not even be your story, it could be about a friend or relative. There will be trigger warnings for the videos because hearing stories of abuse are incredibly powerful.

Submitting:
You can submit on this blog: http://child-survivor.tumblr.com/submit
or http://fullroom.tumblr.com/submit
or you can email yourstoryproject13@gmail.com

We don’t have to be silent anymore.

Physical Grounding Exercises

paperisblood — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:44:05 -0400

mentalillnessmouse:

- Run cool or warm water over your hands

- Grab tightly onto your chair as hard as you can

- Touch various objects around you: a pen, keys, your clothing, the wall…

- Dig your heels into the floor- literally “grounding” them. Notice the tension centered in your heels as you do this. Remind yourself that you are connected to the ground.

- Carry a grounding object in your pocket which you can touch when ever you feel triggered.

- Jump up and down

- Notice your body: the weight of your body in the chair; wiggle your toes in your socks; the feel of your chair against your back…

- Stretch. Roll your head around; extend your fingers…

- Clench and release your fists.

- Walk slowly; notice each footstep, saying “left” or “right”

- Eat something, describing the flavors in detail to yourself

- Focus on your breathing, notice each inhale an exhale.

Hi, we're running a survey on our Personality Disorder chat site and would really like feedback from people in the UK suffering from PDs. We would really appreciate if you share this with your followers and help us out: pdchat[.]co[.]uk/survey[.]php?mode=start Thank you in advance :)

paperisblood — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:28:13 -0400

http://pdchat.co.uk/survey.php?mode=start