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Why is Mental Health Education important?
Why is Mental Health Education important?
As we grow up we encounter new people and experiences, so even if our mental health is in a good state, being aware of how to help, and also how stand back when it comes to the mental health issues of those around you is crucial. We could all stand to be kinder and more caring to one another; but understanding someone may have trouble putting together their thoughts into words, or that the way they are communicating may be(/not be) expressing how they really feel. You can't predict the way that people are going to engage with you, because you can't predict what they are going through in that current moment. You should always take time to assess the situation and think about what social systems, and life differences may have impacted this person you are engaging with.
A lot of us have learned by trial and error, that blocking out intense life experiences (traumas) don't allow us to have the state of mind of trying to work, converse, accept reality, & etc. When you are unable to take time to process it that can cause longer term stress from the trauma/event. Taking that into account we can try to remind ourselves of what we expect from ourselves and what we expect from others in daily interactions.
If we are allowed enough information about mental health, that we can look out for signs and symptoms in ourselves and loved ones. This knowledge also allows us to be more intune with our body, brain, and mind. Making choices that serve us both mentally and emotionally rather than socially or precociously. We can also use these tools to serve us on how we want to guide ourselves to grow as we age. None of this means you don't have fun or choose risky things, but that you choose them with forethought and insight to the situation presented.
Looking out for Yourself and Friends:
Looking out for Yourself and Friends:
Making sure that you are aware of the feelings and ways that mental health can affect you and your friends allows you to have a broader perspective of the things you are going through in life. You can take this information to strengthen your relationship with your mental health so that you are conscious of both your state of being, but your state of wellness. Everything isn't rainbow and sunshine, sometimes we make a lot of decisions that we wouldn't normally make because of it. When we are going through a really hard time, it's important to share it with the people we can trust so we can look out for ourselves and the people around us.
Knowing what to do -and how to be respectful- in a Mental Health Emergency:
Knowing what to do -and how to be respectful- in a Mental Health Emergency:
It is very important that we know how to respond in the event of a mental health crisis or emergency. There are resources to go to, if in need of emergency services. We will walk you through those decisions in several sections; but do remember that the abundance of caution is your best tool, even if it seems difficult. If it's not your time or place to get involved, then make sure you know how to be respectful, and how to protect them in the case of others being disrespectful.
For example in a mental health crisis where someone needs privacy and has support already, if anyone (not involved) is trying to make at scene, you can stand facing away from the person in crisis-with respectful room- in front of the crisis at hand, and ask others to join in order to form a human shield.
Mental Health America (Where to search for Emergency and Long-Term Mental Health Care for Free or Low Cost)
Mental Health America (Where to search for Emergency and Long-Term Mental Health Care for Free or Low Cost)
Finding Healthy ways to Cope:
Finding Healthy ways to Cope:
Finding healthy coping habits can be very difficult to find and maintain. Many people will turn to drugs, big life changes, and increased interest in dangerous activities. While all people approach coping differently, it's important for us to discuss what we are facing with those close to us. Sometimes those who know us best, are the best people to help you find healthy ways to cope with whatever you are facing.
Coping with anxiety can be harder of course, but there are always going to be more personalized ways that you can cope. Going outdoors and interacting with nature is a large way humans have been known to relax and have anti-anxiety experiences. Activities that require physical movement and team work can typically be very supportive to mental stress, but this can be accessibility-based.
If you plan on using or use any drugs please check out our Drug Education page with expansive information on how to safely ingest and preventative measures.
Knowing what kinds of relationships we have with the people around us can be very important. Our page on Relationships explains some of the ways that we can identify or relationships with others, but also how these relationships may effect us and the people around us. Avoiding Predators can also be something to look into that we prefer that all individuals prepare for.
Consent in All Spaces is a mechanism we can use to focus on how we would want to be treated in any given situation. We know that being forced to do anything is uncomfortable, and when it comes to sexual encounters there is a high tendency for people to abuse their position in the exchange of pleasure. This is not only a crime, but a tendency high enough that 1 in 4 people Assigned Female At Birth, or represent femininity, are sexually abused before the age of 18. This is not to take away from the ways that males are alos victims of sexual asssault.
Talking about consent is important and there are plently of ways to make is a sexy experience. We should always discuss our sexual preferences in terms of sexual acts, before we engage in sexual acts with someone new. It's important to discuss STD/STI status and make sure that this is a person you are comfortable with. Continuous consent is also important, and if you aren't feeling a situaiton don't feel compelled to continue. Make sure to have good communication with the people you are engaging with, this can be even in non-sexual spaces. Consent can revolve around many different areas in life such as, medical procedures, touching (hugging/kissing), discussion of personal information or triggering information, etc.
Why do we obtain consent?
Why do we obtain consent?
There are many reasons we obtain consent from other's, and when it comes to the ways we communicate that there are a few things to know. We all have our own unique history, and sometimes that history has trauma. It is not someone else's job to inform you of the trauma they have endured in the past. If they do communicate that with you, then make sure you are asking how you can avoid retraumatization and other ways to avoid the feelings of trauma. When it comes to sexual activity and other more personal matters these communicated boundaries or understandings, are even more important and vital to keep aware of. No one wants to make the people they care about or are interested in, feel uncomfortable around them. However, not all of us are the best at communication due to the years of inhibition we've endured when it comes to open communication. Knowing that not all of us are good at communication is part of having good communication. We are not always up for deep communication, and sometimes we have trouble paying attention. We can accept our faults and others as normal pieces of human communication. Sometimes lack-of-communication can be a way of communication in itself.
Regardless, the effort that we choose to put into the way we communicate, is going the effect the way our relationships function, and following consent rules is a perfect way to get comfortable with this notion. Understanding properties of consent, can open our minds to the reasons that following other's boundaries are important.
Why should we discuss our health?
Why should we discuss our health?
Learning about the body systems in their entirety has long been stigmatized because of the lack of professional ability to discuss certain topics without having patriarchal/colonial topics/conversations pieces, coming up. It's important that we understand that we all have bodies, and while we all have our differences, many of us face similar issues. Unfortunately, the greater community has made certain topics uncomfortable to talk about with medical professionals, leaving a grave whole of medical issues that have never been discussed. As medicine has continued to evolve, it has continued to leave out female bodies, black bodies, and other demographics they'd rather ignore.
Medical system (corporation side) has focused on profit rather than treatments for the past 20 years, which has left many people in a lull of being able to discuss these 'taboo' stimagtized issues. Of course we have continued to see a loss in medical access with the recent cut of medicaid and higher insurance premiums. We have to be able to come together as a community, without enabling abuse and manipulation, and discuss these medical problems that we face so medicine facilities and doctors are able to do more research and find the causes of our long-term issues.
Our parents and grandparents were very scared to discuss their medical history and conditions, due to worry that the government or jobs may use that information as a reason to discriminate against them. We want to acknowledge that this is still an issue, and can always resurface as an even bigger issue. However, we are hoping that this information sets people up to communicate effectively with their doctors, while also maintaining the knowledge that they can look into their issues on their own. Discussing medical issues publicly when you feel confident and able, is something that can help many people. Whether you are just discussing it with friends or posting about it publicly, you are calling attention to medical information you did not have prior, which guarantees there are others like you out there. Our government and billionaire overlords don't want us having access to medical information of any kind, especially easy to comprehend and example experiences that people can quickly access for helpful information on how to get the same help from their doctors, or assistive devices, etc.
Manipulation, Abuse, and Violence: Mental Health
Manipulation, Abuse, and Violence: Mental Health
When it comes to suicide its important that we also discuss the way that talks of suicide can be manipulative. Of course we take mental health very seriously, but it's also important to consider your and other's mental health when discussing the subject of suicide. If a person is saying you are a reason they would or would not commit suicide, please report it to the police as soon as possible and separate yourself from this person. It's not anyone's place to manipulate a mental health event to be focused on another person.
Manipulation can seem heartfelt and vunerable at first, but over time you have to make sure that the conversation does not turn toxic or dangerous. You should make sure that the conversations lead toward treatment of sometime and not based on the actions of a person to fulfill someone elses mental health sanctity.
If you are facing abuse or violent behavior when it comes to the communication of mental health concerns please contact authorities and get yourself out of harms way, while also reinforcing the need for this person to seek professional help. There should never be abuse associated with the professional help that others need, of which you are not a professional care giver.
Excessive Interest in Children: Perpetrators may display an unusually high level of interest in children, seeking out opportunities to be alone with them or engage in activities involving children.
Inappropriate Boundaries: Watch for individuals who consistently violate personal boundaries with children, such as invading their personal space or engaging in inappropriate touching.
Grooming Behaviors: Perpetrators often employ grooming tactics to build trust with both the child and their caregivers. This can include giving excessive gifts, providing special attention, or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Secretive Behavior: Be cautious of individuals who are excessively secretive about their interactions with children, avoiding open communication or transparency with parents or guardians.
Frequent Isolation with a Child: If someone consistently isolates a child from their peers or family, it may be a cause for concern. Perpetrators often exploit isolation to engage in abusive behavior without detection.
Manipulative Techniques: Look out for individuals who use manipulation to coerce or control a child. This can involve emotional manipulation, convincing the child to keep secrets, or using intimidation tactics.
Inappropriate Sexualized Behavior: Keep an eye on any adult displaying inappropriate sexual behavior or making sexually suggestive comments around children.
Excessive Interest in Child Pornography: Individuals with a predilection for child sexual abuse may exhibit an abnormal interest in child pornography. This is a red flag that demands immediate attention.
Changes in a Child's Behavior: Pay attention to sudden changes in a child's behavior, such as withdrawal, aggression, fearfulness, or regression in developmental milestones. These changes may be indicative of abuse.
Unwillingness to Let the Child Set Boundaries: A potential perpetrator may disregard a child's discomfort or reluctance to engage in certain activities, insisting on their own desires instead.
Other pages like this:
Other pages like this:
There is always more research being done!
There is always more research being done!
If you would like to help us write about commonly silenced areas or personal experiences you may have with these topics, contact us at thisisactivism2023@gmail.com or fill out our Comments page. We want our website to be a continuous growth of knowledge to share with each other in a positive way. There are so many things we don't talk about and we should!
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