Tag: mental illness

Posted in mental illness

Mental illness: Learn. Listen. Link.

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

My Lovely friend, Audrey, at Minnesota Prairie Roots did a wonderful post on mental illness and the struggles in finding help. Audrey shares my desire to advocate for those that suffer. Please take a moment to read her post and be sure to spend some time on her blog as her writing and photography as worth it! Thank you, Audrey for this post and for your Very Kind words about me and my blog. ❤

Minnesota Prairie Roots

Slowly we are beginning to unmask mental illness. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2018)

HER VOICE RISES. Strong. Compassionate. Without hesitation.

She is Penny Wilson, published poet, blogger, fiction writer, advocate. Penny, who blogs at Penny Wilson Writes, advocates for those diagnosed with mental illnesses. She is open about her struggles with depression. And it is that honesty which impresses upon me how much, how deeply, Penny cares.

From her fixer-up home in a small Texas town, Penny pens pieces that inform, educate, advocate about mental health. Recently she spent hours researching and compiling a list of resources in a post titled “Affordable Mental Health Counseling.” A friend’s need for affordable therapy (when her benefits were running out) prompted the piece. What Penny found was nothing. No low cost or no cost counseling services for mental health issues. I’m not surprised.

Yet, Penny published that list of 14…

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Posted in Life, mental illness

Help Needed – Therapy Information, Please

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I Need Your Help.

I recently had a conversation with a friend who is in need of therapy, as her benefits will soon be expiring.  Where can she turn?  

I’ve been in this situation.  Through my previous employer, I had 3 sessions with a therapist available to me covered by insurance.  3 sessions, didn’t even begin to scratch the surface.  After that, I was on my own to figure out how to pay for it.  

So I started digging into Affordable mental health therapy.  After a few Click Bait websites, I basically found nothing.  I did find one site that would offer me online sessions based on my income.  But even that was too expensive.  

I have a Mental Health Help Page where I have listed contacts for those in crisis, and other resources and articles for those struggling.  BUT… I have NO information for options of Free or Affordable Therapy.  

So I am asking for your help with this.  If you have information on this Much Needed Subject, would you please do what you can to get that information to me?  I’m in the US, but I need info for those not living in the US as well.  Anything information that you can come up with would be appreciated.  

Please, either leave the information in the comments below, use my Contact Page, or simply email me at psnw123@gmail.com

Thank you!!

Posted in mental illness

World Mental Health Day

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Please be kind to yourself.  

Today is World Mental Health Day.  If you or someone you know needs help, please don’t hesitate to seek out that help.  I have a page where I have compiled some great sources and articles on the subject.  You can find that page HERE.  

When you are kind to yourself, you are also being kind to the loved ones around you.  Please speak up, say something! 

Posted in mental illness

*REBLOG-Doing my part to raise awareness about mental health — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

This is a Reblog from Audrey’s blog: Minnesota Prairie Roots.  Please be sure to visit Audrey’s lovely blog! 

A hand reaches skyward in a mental health themed sculpture that once graced a street corner outside the Northfield, Minnesota, Public Library. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo 2019) WHEN HE HEARD ME rant for the umpteenth time about “people just don’t get it, they don’t understand,” he advised, “Then you need to educate them.” […]

Doing my part to raise awareness about mental health — Minnesota Prairie Roots
Posted in depression, mental illness

New Suicide Prevention Hotline – 988 – Is Finally a Reality!

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

Finally, in the US, we have a 3 digit number for the Suicide Prevention Hotline.  It’s 988.  This has been slow coming.  Why, I don’t know.  But thank God that it’s finally here!  

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, you can now use the 3 digit number to reach a professional that will assist you in getting the help you need.  The old # 1 (800)-273-8255, is still available.  But the new number will be so much easier to remember!  

In the UK, if you’re struggling with negative thoughts or suicidal feelings, you can call the Samaritans at 116 123; and in Australia, call Lifeline at 13 11 14. 

THIS is a wonderful article about several crisis hotlines and texting that is available to a number of different people.  

If you would like more information on Suicide Prevention or Depression, please be sure to visit my Mental Health Help Page HERE.  

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  Penny ❤ Copyright (C) 2022

Posted in Life

Hope, help & tragedy in Faribault — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

THIS IS A REBLOG FROM MY FRIEND AUDREY’S BLOG AT MINNESOTA PRAIRIE ROOTS. PLEASE VISIT HER WONDERFUL BLOG!

I photographed this woman’s shirt at a public event in Northfield. The message refers to struggles with mental illness. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo. IF YOU’VE FOLLOWED my writing long enough, you understand my dedication to increasing awareness on two important issues—domestic violence and mental health. This week, both made headlines in my community. I […]

Hope, help & tragedy in Faribault — Minnesota Prairie Roots
Posted in Life

When life comes unglued, a Minnesota family’s experience — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

REBOG: This is a Reblog from Audrey’s wonderful site. Like myself, she has been a supporter of Mental Health Awareness and ending the stigma of such. Please visit Audrey’s blog to read this heart wrenching and lovely review.

HE AROSE FROM HIS CHAIR, lost. I watched him stagger and collapse on Sarah’s chair, plunging his head into his big sister’s chest. As that scene unfolds on page 297 of Unglued—A Bipolar Love Story by Minnesotan Jeffrey Zuckerman, I cried. I cried at the deep heartache adult siblings Joey and Sarah experience when learning […]

When life comes unglued, a Minnesota family’s experience — Minnesota Prairie Roots
Posted in depression, Life

Focus on mental health: A Minnesotan writes about her depression — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

REBLOG: Don’t miss this important and informative piece!

ARE YOU STRUGGLING with everyday tasks? Unable to get out of bed? Feeling hopeless? Overwhelmed? You are not alone. I think all of us have struggled during this past pandemic year. Maybe not to the extent of the challenges listed, but in other ways. It’s been a lot. I’m thankful that, if anything good comes […]

Focus on mental health: A Minnesotan writes about her depression — Minnesota Prairie Roots
Posted in Life

Focus on mental health: The family living along Hidden Valley Road — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

REBLOG: Please don’t miss Audrey’s informative post! 

…I THOUGHT I WAS such a good mother. I baked a cake and a pie every night. Or at least had Jell-O with whipped cream. That quote from Mimi Galvin, mother of 12, struck me as particularly personal and profound in a 377-page book focusing on one family’s experiences with schizophrenia. Six of Mimi and […]

Focus on mental health: The family living along Hidden Valley Road — Minnesota Prairie Roots
Posted in depression, Life

Ebb and Flow

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

The ebb and flow of life.  We all deal with it.  We all have trials and tribulations.  It’s part of our journey here.  Some days, I’m engulfed in the undertow, my feet being sucked down into the muck and the mud.  On these days, it’s hard to see the sunshine on the surface of the water.  I’ve been dealing with some personal issues and think I’m beginning to see the light.

Our winter has been uncommonly wet.  Until this last bit of dry weather, the weatherman said that we’ve only had, at most, 5 consecutive days of no rain, for months now.  Grey and gloomy skies.  Having no sun really can make a difference!

I know when my depression rears it’s ugly head.  I’ve battled the beast long enough to know it’s M.O.  Although not an easy thing to do, I went to my doctor and had an honest discussion with her about how I’ve been feeling.  Reaching out for help is the hardest part of battling depression.  But I know I have to.  I’m very lucky to have a doctor that I adore.  She’s wonderful.  The type of person I would like to be friends with.  Even with this knowledge, depression is a sneaky bastard.  It took me more than a month to set the appointment.

On the day of my appointment, while sitting in the waiting room, I almost bolted for the door.  It’s hard to describe.  But it’s like I’m have a battle, an argument with this…. being.  I KNOW what I SHOULD do, but the beast will argue with me, justify its actions and what usually happens is… nothing.  Depression can paralyze you.  You continue to put off getting help.  You don’t tell anyone how you’re feeling.  You isolate yourself to avoid uncomfortable situations.  So it’s even easier for the beast to dig its heels in and really mess with your head.  You isolate yourself more, becoming more depressed.  The more depressed you become, the more you isolate yourself.  Even KNOWING all of the ugly beast’s tricks, I still fall for them.

I feel better just having been able to Voice my concerns with someone.  I know I’m not out of the deep end yet, but there is hope.  I’m swimming toward that sunshine on the surface above me and it’s getting closer.

Copyright (C) 2020 Penny Wilson

*If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or other mental health issues, I invite you to look over my Mental Health Help Page which can be found HERE.  On this page, you will find several links on ways to get help.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  ❤ Penny