ARP 384 Changes to 988 Suicide Hotline

I had a flashback. What generated it was that I watched a video of a congress person telling his constituents that only the truly deserving should have access to free health care. Those that work are worthy. That is my understanding of what he said. I could be wrong.

The example he gave was that a 28 year old person who refused to work. Once upon a time, I was truly ill. I had no savings. I owed bills. I couldn't work. The congress person would have deemed me unworthy. 

Just like the Department of Health and Human Services did with the removal of LGBTQ+ access to the 988 suicide hotline. In this episode, what has happened and alternative hotline options.

P.S. to the hot fingered. This is a mental health issue. 

Resources Mentioned:

The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.

 

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.

 

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of 988 and users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. There are also text/chat services available to folks in Canada, the UK and Ireland.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 383 - Dealing with Intrusive Thoughts

I can talk about intrusive thoughts. Doesn't mean I don't still have them. Because I do. Here is the thing. Not only is the intrusive thought false but it is repetitive.

There are things and practices you can do to reduce the intensity of intrusive thoughts. In this episode, a recent experience of an intrusive thought and three ideas on how to handle the little haters. 

I messed up the name of the song so I had to take it out. You can find it on YouTube. There is an official CartoonNetwork page. I don't know how long it will last. A lot of cable channels properties are going to be sold or terminated. 

So much is changing. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The non-profit Helpguide.org has a full page on Intrusive Thoughts and how to handle them. One of their suggestions is adjust the perceptions of your thoughts and let them be.

From the cartoon Steven Universe, the best musical example of what to do with an intrusive thought. 20+ million folks and counting. Here Comes a Thought. You can find the song on YouTube.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a page on Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts. One of the suggestions is to continue what you were doing before the thought.  

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 382 What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Trying to get back into the flow. I still don't have a desk or recording equipment. My phone will have to do the job. This is a quick pebble in the road on what is a mental health disorder.

Mental health disorders can affect a person's mood, feelings or become intrusive thoughts.

Most of us have experienced high stress periods or feeling like it's too much or way too much, or you really can't stand it anymore. 

For those of us with continuous anxiety symptoms, it leans more toward being a disorder. 

Or a condition.

Now, it's really important that you don't self-diagnose. You really should have a thorough workup by your doctor because there are so many physical health problems that have the exact same symptoms as an anxiety symptoms. 

I just want you to have a better understanding of what those terms mean. 

Bottom line, you have anxiety, you have anxiety symptoms, and they seem to be going on for a long time. It could be a condition. It could be a disorder. 

Or it could just be something that you're dealing with and you're learning how to handle.


If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The World Health Organization has an information page on mental disorders. 

The American Psychiatric Association has page on What is Mental Illness?. The site uses condition and disorder. 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

ARP 381 - Smiling Mind App for Meditation and Mental Fitness

After a few minutes of an life update, I talk about the Smiling Minds app, a free resource designed to help practice meditation and also helps to build mental fitness.  

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The Simply Noise app can help you with finding the right sound for your needs, that could be a frequency noise or a sound of nature. Windows users can go to the download section of the website and select the items that will give them an audio balm.

Smiling Mind app provides mindfulness and breathing resources but has evolved into a mental health support and fitness app. There are 700+ mindfulness items that you can use. There is also a mood tracker and other resources.

You can find the app on the Apple App Store  or the Google Play Store.

On the main website you can find an explainer page on how to use the app and some of the features.

One of those features is closed captioning.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Pebble in the Road - Journaling Memory 2002

A brief update. I'm still going through chaos. I'm having to throw away a lot of things and re-organize my life. 

This is a brief pebble in the road on a memory that I wrote down in 2002. It was a bad time. 

There are ups and downs with having an anxiety condition. I was scraping cement at that time.

I'm grateful that is this a memory. I'm going to shred this page but I've memorialized it so there is no loss.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 380 When Panic Hits Home

In this episode, I talk about my process on handing a problem and four resources that might be helpful to those with panic attacks and panic disorder. 

Some of the resources are informative but dry. 

Other offerings are written in a more conversational form, accessible but might not explain a concept or two.

I get a little more personal than I like but I wanted to share with you my panic response to some bad news. 

There are a lot of changes that I'm experiencing at the moment. 

Those changes need attention. I'll do the best I can but it is going to be a challenge to deal with it, work and get out an episode.

I'll do the best I can.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

NAMI is the National Association of Mental Health narrative from Yasmina Rebani-Lee that does a good job of explaining her experience and her process of working through it. It is called Unpacking my Panic Attack.

The Mayo Clinic has a page on Panic Attacks and Disorders. 

The World Health Organization PDF on Panic Disorders

2022 brochure Panic Attacks, When Fear Overwhelms from the U.S. Department of Mental Health

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 379 Drinking Water Temperature

The three main point I want to make are drink water, build and refine your information gathering process and for goodness sake, find ways to have fun, relax or grab a giggle. 

That last suggestion is not in the show but bears repeating. Don't let them steal your joy.

In this episode, a response to two commercials about drinking water temperature and word or two about  how to find viable, authoritative resources. This could help you confirm if the information is factual. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Water/Dehydration Sources

Mind.org.UK has a post on food and mental health. It is a good starting point on the things you need to consider when you are trying to take care of your body and brain.

Cleveland Clinic has a dietician respond on Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Hot Water?

The Mayo Clinic has their point of view on How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day?

Some Examples of Viable Health Resources:

American Medical Association has a YouTube channel. The AMA provides information to doctors and the general public. The information will be science based through their perspective as medical doctors. 

The Dana Foundation has a section on their website where they talk about brain information. They have videos and fact sheets for children and adults.

KFF Health News reports on news stories with a health focus, U.S. government policies and interviews with those involved in this space. The site operates independently from the non-profit Kaiser Health System.

There are also the mental health non-profits like Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Helpguide.org, International OCD Foundation and similar groups.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.