mental health advocacy through a personal lens
All across the world right now, many of us are practicing social distancing in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the new viral strain in the coronavirus family that affects the lungs and respiratory system. While unfortunately not all of us are complying yet, many states have thankfully begun enforcing shelter-in-place and curfews. COVID-19 is a serious matter. It’s vital we take action now.
On Friday, Taylor Swift’s documentary, “Miss Americana,” premiered on Netflix. The film is bold, poignant and honest.
My friend and I were in a car a couple of weeks ago when I learned that the holidays are not always happy, nor do they have to be.
Surrounded by sunlight streaming in from the window, I am sitting on my bed, propped up with fluffy pillows, reading Danielle Lowe’s People Say I’m An Artist, But I Don’t Feel Like One.
As a kid, I loved reading. I remember reading books in my room for hours and hours at a time. I was so happy doing so! It was like my own little world of characters I adored and plots that left me wanting to discover more. It was really special.
Friday evening, Shane Dawson’s video on Eugenia Cooney returning to YouTube after seeking treatment for an eating disorder came out. As a fan of Shane and someone who overcame an eating disorder, I watched it immediately. The video does start out with a trigger warning, and encourages those who are triggered by talk about treatment or eating disorders to be cautious when viewing the content.
You know that quote “It takes a village to raise a child”? I’ve been thinking about my own journey lately and how for me, it takes a community to help my inner child find her way back home.
Earlier today, I had my friend Kelly take photos of me doing tree pose after lunch because I was excited to show her my progress, and also, I was excited to visually see my progress myself as I have been practicing more yoga these days!
I think it’s easy for many people to look at Demi Lovato right now, who sadly is in the hospital right now due to an alleged overdose (and is thankfully reported stable), and think, “Oh, just another celebrity.” It’s easy for people to not take this seriously because they see this celebrity who, in their eyes, is far-removed and not relatable. Reality shows a different side though, because in 2014, about 21.5 million Americans ages 12 and older struggled with a substance use disorder.
This week, the first week of October, is BFRB Awareness Week. BFRB Awareness Week, which was created by The TLC Foundation for BFRB’s, is all about spreading awareness about Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, such as cheek biting, hair pulling, nail biting and skin picking. I interviewed people in the online mental health community who struggle with all different types of BFRB’s, and then compiled a list of my findings – including ways in which the public can help support us and advice to those with similar struggles.
