Tag: family

Posted in mental illness

World Teen Mental Health Day

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Being a teen is hard enough.  If you add mental health struggles to that, makes life for some unbearable.  In this world of social media, peer pressures can be amplified.  Anxiety and Depression are the most common issues dealt with. 

Depression and Anxiety should not be taken lightly.  Teen suicides have increased dramatically since 2019.  

What can you do to help?  

*Be watchful of behavioral changes in your teen.  Are they isolating themselves more?  Have they lost interest in things that used to bring them joy?  Is your teen sleeping more or have a change in their eating habits?  

*Listen without judgement.  So often, people will keep the signs of Anxiety and Depression hidden for fear of being judged.  The feeling of shame is strong among those that suffer because of the stigma attached.  

*Talk to your teen.  Be willing to start the conversation.  We, as parents, don’t always know what to do, so we hope they will “grow out of it”, or that it’s “just a phase” they are going through.  Because your teen is keeping things to themselves, you will often need to make the first move to start the conversation about what they are struggling with.  

*Reach out.  Seek help in dealing with your teen’s struggles.  If you don’t know where to start, often your family doctor can help steer you in the right direction for resources in your area.  

*Educate yourself.  Being aware of the issues and their symptoms can be a huge help.  There are many helpful websites for this.  This is a good place to start: https://988lifeline.org/

The Suicide Prevention Hotline Phone # is 988. 

You don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to contact a crisis hotline. At most of these hotlines, the volunteers and counselors who answer calls, texts and chat messages are trained to help someone in crisis. But you can also reach out if you’re feeling sad, anxious or stressed and don’t know where to turn. 

These hotlines also serve friends, family members and loved ones of someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis, domestic violence, abuse, addiction and many other issues. 

Even if someone at a crisis hotline cannot help you with your specific needs, they can point you to the right resources that can. No one will ever make you feel bad for trying to get help, and no concern is too trivial or small. If it feels hard for you to manage, it’s worth reaching out.

For more information and other helpful resources and articles, please visit my Mental Health Help Page HERE.

Copyright (C) 2023 Penny Wilson

 

Posted in Poetry, Writing

A Different Outcome

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes 


I keep looking 
for a different 
outcome 
to my past  

My heart doesn't 
understand 
the memories 
I relive  

The self inflicted 
punishments 
don't resolve 
anything  

I shake my head 
in disbelief  

I'm taught 
I'm forgiven
  
If He can forgive 
why can't I

Copyright 2023 Penny Wilson All Rights Reserved

#Name Your Number Challenge Click Here for info and to join in!
Posted in Poetry

Frayed Memories

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes 

My memories 
of you 
have become frayed.  

Tattered and worn 
around the edges 
from endless usage.  

They are not 
as crisp and sharp 
as they were yesterday 

but still 
just as 
precious. 

Copyright (C) 2022 Penny Wilson

*Photo is of my Mother when she was a teen. 

**My friend, Chuck at The Reluctant Poet used the words
"Frayed Memories" in something recently and I was inspired
to write this poem.  I hope you enjoyed.
Posted in Life, Prose, Stories

Box of Memories

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I wrote this in 2018 and came across it today. I like it. I hope you do too. ❤

Penny Wilson Writes

Sorting through that bookshelf, all I intended to do was to gather a few books to donate when I saw it.  The Box of Memories.  The box was something that I had found in an antique store.  The box had been carefully hand made and at one time was someone’s treasure.  It was battered and aged, but had it’s own beauty and I had to have it.

I pulled the box down and wiped the dust off the top. After opening the lid, I lifted an old photo out of the box and looked at it.  It was curled and yellow with age.  I couldn’t remember the last time that I looked through The Box of Memories.  Years.  The picture of my oldest brother, taken just after High School.  He was ready to take on the world.  A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth.  He looked out…

View original post 341 more words

Posted in Poetry

Old Photos

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes 
Pieces of paper that hold a link to the past.
The edges are curled; they won’t lay flat.

In shades of grey and black they are bound to the page.
Eyes that no longer see, from a long ago age.

My history, I’m told, in the faces of that time.
The images are cold; frozen in time.

These strangers we cling to, a link to the past.
We long to connect; a link to be grasped.

We close the album pages; trusting again
We’re leaving a link, for our family & friends.

Copyright © 2017 Penny Wilson
Posted in Life

Connection

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Since I am still going to work every day, my family worries about me during this uncertain time.  I do my best to reassure them that we are very careful and being as safe as we can be.  It’s just a skeleton crew at work right now.  I get texts and phone calls now much more often than I have in the past.  I miss my family and my friends.  I’m sure you do too.  Reaching out and communicating is incredibly important right now.  I’m touched and feel loved with each text, email or phone call.  It’s not as good as a hug, but it’s just as important.

Please be sure to take that minute to send a text or make that phone call.  It might just mean the world to the person on the other end.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. ❤ Penny

Posted in depression

Depression and Denial

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

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 in the past 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

 

 

 

Posted in Life

When Pets Are Sick

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I AM one of THOSE people that gush about my pet and bore you with the 200+ pics I have on my phone.  When did this happen to me?  I used to scoff at THOSE people!

Rocket has been my best friend, baby and companion for 6+ years.  I have NO idea how I managed without the love of this creature in my life before he came along.  HE is the reason I got out of bed during my darkest days.  He is always there, excited to see me and filled with love.

He got Very Sick a couple of days ago.  Sicker than I’ve ever seen him.  He was losing fluids at both ends and the danger of dehydration was a real threat.  I called 5 different vets offices to see if I could get someone to look at him, before I found someone with an opening.  I had to sit in the waiting room for a couple of hours until they could work me in.

Rocket and I are both back home.  Him, dozing on the couch next to me.  I’ve got 2 different medications and some special food for him.  The picky eater that he is actually ate some of the food and he’s drinking water.  Both are improvements.  So I’m encouraged.

I think he’s going to be ok.  But a time like this really does make you think about what a HUGE part of your life these Furbabies are.  He IS family.

Posted in Life

Good News Friday Challenge!

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

This is a Challenge to each of you to come up with Just One POSITIVE news story that you’ve seen or heard recently.  If you don’t watch the news, then share an uplifting, positive quote or post!  I think that it’s high time that we all make the effort to see the Good and to see the Positive that happens in our lives every day!  There is so much negativity in our lives that we must Stop and LOOK for the good things!

If you would like to participate in this challenge, please leave your comments below with a link to the post or news story that you’ve found or done.  If you do not watch the news, share a positive quote you seen or heard or share a lovely photo!  YOU decide what is positive and Good News!  While you’re here, please share and check out other people’s posts.

Let’s all share something GOOD today!

I would like to make this a weekly challenge.  It will depend on the amount of interest there is, of course.  I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful, positive things you all come up with!  ❤  ❤  ❤

Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson

I have a couple of Good News pieces today.  First, please be sure to check out this sweet, touching post over at A Teacher’s Reflections about a Mr. Rogers book and the man’s gentle wisdom.  You can find that post HERE.

The other little bit of Good News that I have today is to share with you the fact that today is my Birthday!! I seriously never thought that I would live this long!  Historically speaking, the women in my family do not live long lives.  I’m very healthy and take kinda-sorta good care of myself, so maybe I’ll be the exception.

Yesterday was a lovely day at work.  I love my job and the people that I work with.  From my work family I received several birthday cards and a Gorgeous bouquet of flowers.  See the picture above and the one below.

Today I am taking the day off from work and I’m going to spend the day with my sweet brother and sister-in-law.  There’s no better gift than spending time with those you love!

I hope you all have had a good week and can share some Good News stories with us.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!  ❤  Penny