JD Schramm gives a compassionate TED talk about someone he knew well who attempted suicide and lived to talk about it.
Category Archives: Mental State
Time
At this point in my life, I have noticed that …
sometimes there seems to be no substitute for being in a certain state of miserableness for a certain amount of time for us to figure out what we want to do next, ya know?
That Solution is for a Different Problem than the One I Have
Allie Brosh captures the essence of depression for so many in her cartoons. My favorite part is her story about having dead fish. Ohh, how many times that has happened to me.
Allie, I hope you’re doing well. You’ve offered to so many such wonderful humor about a dark place. You could only do that if you also knew that place. All the best.
Why are We so Social?
The same part of our brain is active when we’re feeling emotional pain as well as physical pain. So, an emotional hurt can feel as painful as, say, a broken leg.
It’s really satisfying to see the fMRI data confirm neuroscientifically an explanation for what so many of us know, that emotional pain feels as real as physical pain.
Clever Living Situations for People Living with Dementia
Fake bus stop – funny, yes, and also compassionate and endearing.
“We will approach them and say that the bus is coming later today and invite them in to the home for a coffee,” said Mr Neureither. “Five minutes later they have completely forgotten they wanted to leave.”
Amazing Village – a wholly enclosed little town with everything in it, including caretakers in street clothes.
“By treating residents as normal people, Hogeweyk seems to suggest that there isn’t such a huge difference, deep down—just differing needs. By designing a city tailored to those unique needs, residents avoid the dehumanization that long-term medical care can unintentionally cause.”
Thinking About Suicide
The most straight up and comprehensive resource addressing suicide for the layperson that I’ve come across.
American Association of Suicidology
An informative and helpful organization, the American Association of Suicidology’s efforts include compile, develop, evaluate and disseminate accurate information about suicidal behaviors to the public.
May they be successful. May we each help as we can.
Straight-up Discussion about Suicide
The most straight up, comprehensive discussion on suicide I’ve ever heard.
Suicide attempt survivor David Webb, author of Thinking About Suicide: Contemplating and Comprehending the Urge to Die, discusses how speaking openly about suicidal feelings, rather than reacting with panic and fear, is the best form of suicide prevention.
Vi Hart on Dealing with Negative Comments
If you haven’t had the pleasure of viewing a Vi Hart video, you’re in for a treat. She’s amazingly creative, smart, and unpretentious in her messages.
Check this one out on brainpickings.org that addresses how to think about negative comments.
If you liked that one, check out the rest of her videos.
Living in ‘Financial’ Times
There are way too many stories like this. We all should really know this.
What am I doing about it? I’m talking about it. As loudly as I can. I know it’s difficult for most to mention this topic, let alone post about it under their real name on the web. Some of us can do that.
We all can reach out more to those around us – somehow. How can you?