“We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.”
—Carl Rogers (1902-1987)
Psychologist
Empathy
Author: Penny Wilson Writes
Penny Wilson is a freelance writer who writes in several genres. She has written articles for WOW Women on Writing. Her poetry has been published in online journals, such as Ariel Chart, Spill Words Press and the Poppy Road Review. Penny is a member of the Austin Poetry Society. Her poetry has been featured in the publication America's Emerging Poets 2018 & 2019 by Z Publishing, Poets Quarterly and Dual Coast Magazine published by Prolific Press. You can find more of her writings on her blog at https://pennywilsonwrites.com/ and follow her on Twitter @pennywilson123.
Compassion
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong, because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.”
—George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
Botanist, Agricultural Chemist, Inventor, Educator
World Suicide Prevention Day
The Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7 is 1-800-273-8255
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. I have long been an advocate for Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention. I was online doing some research in preparation for this post and I came across some horrifying statistics.
Why do I support Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention? See the statistics below and you’ll see why I feel that this is SO important. Most of the information in the paragraph below came from the website SAVE.ORG. This site is a wealth of information for those dealing with mental health issues and its aftermath. Please take a few minutes to browse the site.
Every day, approximately 130 Americans die by suicide. (CDC)
There is one death every 11 minutes in the U.S. by suicide. (CDC)
Suicide takes the lives of over 48,500 Americans every year. (CDC)
Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide in the world each year, which is roughly one death every 40 seconds.
These are just a few of the facts surrounding suicide rates. There are many more, each, seemingly more horrific than the last. These are the reasons I support awareness efforts.
I’ve seen first hand what Depression and Mental illness can do to your loved ones and just how dangerous it can be if left unchecked. Please take a look at my Mental Health Help Page HERE. There is a LOT of information there for you, your loved ones, or anyone that is simply interested in becoming more aware. I’ve created lots of links that will take you directly to helpful websites and phone numbers that can be helpful as well. There are also many articles that I’ve added to that page for you to browse through.
Depression is the leading cause of suicide worldwide.
Look at this list of names. I’m sure you’ll recognize several of them: Kurt Cobain-Musician, Ernest Hemingway-Writer, Margaux Hemingway-Ernest’s granddaughter, Margot Kidder-Actress (played Lois Lane in the 1978 Superman movie), Edward Platt-Actor, Freddie Prinz-Actor, George Reeves-Actor (played Superman in the 1950’s), Kerry Vo Erich-Writer, Robin Williams-Actor, Mark Salling-Actor (played on the TV show Glee), Virginia Woolf-Writer, Sylvia Plath-Writer, Vincent Van Gogh-Artist. What do these names all have in common? We lost each of these people to suicide.
I could have listed thousands and thousands of “famous” people, but I don’t have the time or the room for such an exhaustive list! I think I’ve made my point.
If you have any information that you feel would be of benefit to be added to my Mental Health Help Page, or if you just need someone’s ear to bend, please, reach out to me using my Contact Page HERE.
Please, let’s do what we can to END the stigma of Mental Illness and open our hearts to those that need the support of each of us. We’re all in this together. No one gets out alive.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
National Suicide Prevention Week-Sept. 5-11
I am thrilled when I find such a wonderful resource as the website of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or if you know someone that may need help. HERE is where you can find this site.
This website offers ideas on Self Care, Actions you can take to Prevent Suicide, and Having that conversation with someone. There is also information on what to do if your family Won’t talk about suicide and there are support groups that you can join if you are dealing with the aftermath of someone that has committed suicide.
Below are excerpts taken directly from AFSP’s website.
Did you know that @afspnational is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research? Much of what is known about suicide comes from studies that we fund. Learn more about #Science2StopSuicide at https://afsp.org/research.
Contrary to popular belief, asking someone directly if they’re thinking about suicide won’t “put the idea in their head.” In fact, people are often relieved to have a #RealConvo about mental health. #Science2StopSuicide
No one takes their life for a single reason. It’s important to know that generally, when someone dies by suicide, it can be attributed to a combination of various risk factors. Learn about the risk factors and warning signs at https://afsp.org/signs. #Science2StopSuicide
You are not alone. If you’re struggling, reach out to @800273TALK, text TALK to 741741 at the @crisistextline, or get involved with your local AFSP chapter.
Not sure how to start a #RealConvo about mental health? Check out @afspnational’s #RealConvo Guides at https://afsp.org/realconvo!
If someone you care about doesn’t seem like themselves lately, check in and let them know you’ll be there to support them every step of the way. Want more guidance on how to have an open, honest conversation about the tough stuff? Check out https://afsp.org/realconvo! #RealConvo
There IS help out there if you need it. If you are looking for more resources, please visit my Mental Health Help Page HERE.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤
Depression-You’re Not Alone
Depression can make you feel very alone. While we know there are other people out there that suffer from depression, that doesn’t make it any easier. We isolate ourselves, deny that there is anything wrong, and generally cannot see a way out of it. Too often, individuals that suffer from depression do not seek the help they need. While the reasons vary, one of the main reasons for not seeking help is the Stigma associated with Depression.
People feel guilty. They’ve been told to “snap out of it”, or “get over it”, or any number of other things that dismiss what they are going thru. Those people have no idea how dangerous and debilitating depression can be.
If you suffer from depression, please know that you are Not Alone. In fact, you are in good company. After doing a little research, I found an abundance of names that most of us will recognize that suffer from depression. Here’s a partial list:
Demi Lovato, Jim Carrey, Angelina Jolie, Chrissy Teigan, Kristen Bell, Ellen DeGeneres, Prince Harry, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Lady Gaga, Jon Hamm, Bruce Springsteen, Wayne Brady, Serena Williams, Gina Rodriguez and Katy Perry.
I’m sure you will recognize at least a few names on this list. These are people that admit publicly that they do suffer from Depression. While these “beautiful people” may seem like they have the perfect life, the reality is that they are just like us. They have the same struggles and insecurities that we do.
My first advice, always, if you think you might need help getting through your depression, is to reach out to someone. Anyone. Let someone know how you feel. There is help. You don’t have to do this alone. You’re NOT alone in your struggle.
THIS is a page with a lot of different resources, different ways that you can find help. You may find something on this page that is helpful.
Copyright (C) 2020 Penny Wilson
*With the upcoming Suicide Prevention Day, I feel it is important to repeat some of my older posts on Mental Health Awareness. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Penny ❤
Depression and Denial
It’s like it’s a scar that must be hidden. Like some dirty secret. An ugly sweater you keep in the back of the closet and only bring it out when that aunt comes to visit. You hide it. You deny it, even to yourself.
There are the days when you tell yourself “I’m ok”, as you look in the mirror. You do what you have to do to to get through the next moment, the next hour, the next day.
But you’re not ok and you know it. Your sleeping too much. You’re avoiding any social interaction, isolating yourself. Things that normally bring you joy, no longer do. There is this dark cloud over everything in your life.
Why do people that are depressed deny it? The answer is complicated. Often, the person going through the depression is embarrassed. They want to appear “normal”. They don’t want people to think there is something wrong with them. There is such a stigma attached to depression and other forms of mental illness that the person hides it from those around them and even from themselves.
Sometimes, they don’t know that they’re depressed. They know something’s not right, but they don’t recognize it. Depression is a sneaky thief. It sneaks in under the radar and robs you of the joy in your life.
What can you do if you see that a loved one is depressed but they deny it? Be there for them. Listen, talk, check-in with them. Take that extra minute, make that phone call, or send that text. Get them out of their isolation. Take them to lunch, pop in for a quick visit.
Since a depressed person will often isolate themselves, it is incredibly important to BE THERE, not just physically, but emotionally. Be supportive, encouraging and most of all, be caring. They won’t want your attention, at least not outwardly. They will push you away and try to discourage you, telling you that they are fine that nothing is wrong.
Encourage that loved one to seek help. If you are sure that they need help, don’t give up. Don’t turn your back on them. BE THERE for them. You might just save a life.
The Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7 is 1-800-273-8255
A terrific website on this can be found HERE.
There is a site specifically to help our veterans. Find that site HERE.
Is talking to someone too much for you? It was for me at times. There is a Crisis Text Line. Text 741741 and you can text with a counselor.
Want to do an online chat? There’s a site for that too. Find it HERE.
You can even TWEET with a crisis counselor at @800273TALK on Twitter.
HERE is a link to many international phone #’s for Suicide Prevention.
This is a British number to help Children in crisis. 08001111
Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson
I know this is a repeat. But some things are important to repeat. This subject is one of those. Thank you for joining me on this journey. ❤ Penny
False Friendship
“False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.”
— Richard Burton
Photo courtesy of Sue Vincent’s lovely blog. You are missed, Sue.
Worry
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
-Corrie Boom
DIY Kitchen Project
The photos above will show you my latest DIY project. I hated my counters and have been looking for a way to update them, affordably. I found this paint called Beyond Paint. If you check out their website and YouTube videos, you’ll see that this paint is supposed to be able to be used on almost anything that you want to use it for, without priming or sanding!
I thought that if the claims are true, this would be an answer to a prayer for me. I looked at lots of videos and read lots of reviews and comments on this product before deciding to try it. The application is pretty straight forward. After thoroughly cleaning, you simply paint it on using a roller as much as possible to prevent brush marks. The product is surprisingly forgiving and is supposed to be self leveling which pretty much eliminates all brush marks. I was amazed at what a beautiful, smooth finish resulted.
There is also a sealer that needs to be applied, especially for something that will be used as much as a kitchen counter. I’ve got two coats of the sealer on so far and I will apply 3 to 4 coats total. The sealer is also forgiving and easy to apply. It leaves a nice satin sheen when dry.
The entire project, including supplies, cost me just under $100.00 I am so please with the results so far!
So tell me, do you DIY? What was your last DIY project?
Love, in Practice
“Acceptance is simply love in practice. When you love, you accept, when you lack love, you judge.”
—Abhijit Naskar (born 1991)
Neuroscientist, Author
