stigma – Penny Wilson Writes

Some encouraging mental health news & then…

Posted on March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 by Penny Wilson Writes

Please Read this important piece, written by Minnesota Prairie Roots. Help end the stigma!

*This message refers to the struggles associated with mental illness. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)*

WE’VE ALL SEEN THEM—fundraisers and GoFundMe campaigns to help individuals and families who are struggling. Perhaps you’ve even been in that spot of needing financial help following a devastating event or a major health crisis. You’ve likely attended many fundraisers and/or donated online. I am thankful for such generosity.

Typically, these pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, silent auctions,…crowdfunding efforts follow a diagnosis like cancer, a car accident or a major event like a house fire. Missed work and overwhelming medical and other bills all too often deplete finances. And if not for the assistance of caring family, friends and even strangers, many could not get through the challenges.

Yet, in the all of this, I’ve often wondered why individuals who’ve experienced a mental health crisis are not fundraising also. When they’ve been hospitalized and/or…

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mental illness

World Teen Mental Health Day

Posted on March 2, 2023 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.

depression, Life, mental illness, Writing

New Year and Depression

Posted on January 1, 2023January 1, 2023 by Penny Wilson Writes

As the end of the year approaches, we all tend to reflect on what has happened over the course of the year. I want to go back a little further than that.

In May of 2017, I came out of a several-years-long depression. I remember it so clearly. It was like a veil had been lifted and I was seeing the world for the first time.

With this in mind, I looked back at my stats for the last couple of year here on WordPress.

In 2017 there was a good-sized spike in my activity here. That new enthusiasm to write was due to the “awakening” from my depression.

My Most Viewed post of all time has been one I titled Depression-A-Killer. That tells me that there is still a HUGE need for enlightenment, awareness and information. The stigma remains, but I do think that the battle to end it is making progress.

Why do I write about Depression? EVERY DAY 121 Americans commit suicide. 50% of those people suffered from depression. Reason enough? I thought so too. If you need help -The Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7 is 1-800-273-8255 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.

The one thing in my life that I am most thankful for is the end of my depression. Depression took so much from me, it feels amazing to have my life back. I’m happier than I’ve ever been and my life is full and rich. I have many, many blessings.

If you would like to see any of the other pieces I’ve written about Depression, you can find those HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

As you can see this is a subject that is important to me. 🙂 ❤

As we go into a new year, I want to thank all of you that have joined me on this up and down journey. I hope that each of you are blessed with every happiness your heart could desire.

Please check out my page on Mental Health Help HERE.

*Update from 2023

The post above was originally written in 2018. My depression is thankfully in check. I cherish each day that I am free from that darkness. At the end of 2021, I did have a period of time where my Depression and Anxiety peaked. But early into 2022, that had once again abated. My life is rich, full and so very blessed.

depression, mental illness

I’m not fine

Posted on December 21, 2022December 21, 2022 by Penny Wilson Writes

The truth is, you see, I’m not fine. What the world sees is a lie. A lie to help them cope. A lie to help me cope.

My lies serve me well. Sometimes. They hide the demons that fly under the radar to steal my mind.

I keep a careful watch. But, they come whether I want them to or not. I must be ever vigilant, to recognize them before they pounce. Their disguises vary with each encounter.

There is a sense, a feeling, that they are coming. Sometimes. Other times, they attack without warning.

I lose the will of pretending at times. I give in to them. They are stronger than I am. My resolve to smile and continue the lies wane. I will retreat to my little cave under the covers. If I sleep, I then find respite, a reprieve from the continual onslaught. The darkness of sleep is preferable to the darkness I am subjected to by the demons.

Then, miraculously, they’re gone. They’ve retreated back to where they came from; to the dark, dank recesses of my mind. Perhaps they are gathering forces to come again. Perhaps they are gone forever. I don’t know. I won’t know until they return, if they return.

For now, my days are brighter. I can look forward to tomorrow.

*This is a work of fiction, my friends. I am well and doing fine. I haven’t written about Depression in a while and wanted to do so.

*If you or someone you know needs help, Please TALK to someone. Please see more helpful resources on my Mental Health Help Page HERE.

Image by Constance Kowalik from Pixabay

mental illness

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

Posted on August 3, 2022 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

Life

Hope, help & tragedy in Faribault — Minnesota Prairie Roots

Posted on July 22, 2021 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

Life

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

Posted on June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 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

depression, Life

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

Posted on May 20, 2021 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