Tag Archives: mental health

Stigma Fighters Come in All Sizes

Kids/Teaching, Mental Health, , , , , ,

I was just walking the halls at school and came across this student-written poster outside a 5th grade classroom. They are in the midst of a “Social Issues” unit, and these are some of the topics that 10 year olds came up with during a brainstorming of ideas– issues that kids in 5TH GRADE think we need to be talking about and tackling. 

I am blown away and touched to see that Suicide and Depression made this list. This is such a clear and positive sign that the conversation about mental health is changing for this next generation. 

Kudos to the 5th grade teachers for displaying this and creating an environment for open and honest conversation about ALL issues, no matter the stigma attached. 

  

Things We Know!

Random Thoughts/Happenings, , , , , , , , ,

Lately, during my outdoor runs, I’ve been seeing a lot of these shirts:

blackgirlsrun

And obviously I’m a fan, as I am a supporter of any display of racial pride that doesn’t come from a white person.

But I’m just a little confused– is there an underlying assumption here that society doesn’t already know that black girls run?

You win EVERY MARATHON and EVERY OLYMPIC TRACK EVENT. We know you run. You run very, very fast.

Regardless, this seems to be an extremely popular brand, so if it’s lucrative to create a brand stating things we all know about certain demographics, then consider this shit trademarked:

Jews

white girlsmen

WOMEN

old people

Which is Worse

Dating/Single Life, Random Thoughts/Happenings, , , , , , ,

I’ve been feeling kind of off the past few weeks and haven’t really been able to pinpoint why. Then today I was standing behind two women in Starbucks, and one of them was listing all my symptoms.

Woman 1: “I just don’t feel myself at ALL. I’m exhausted all the time, my body is sore, I have a constant headache, I just feel slow and lethargic and all I want to do is sleep.”

And just as I’m about to tap her on the back and say “Hey, ME TOO! What do you think is wrong with us?!”, she turns around, and I see what the problem is.

Woman 2: “Well jesus you’re 8 months pregnant with twins, how do you THINK you’re going to feel?”

So the point here is that I am either 8 months pregnant with twins, or just a single, 33-year-old, definitely-not-pregnant (trust me) woman who’s been waking up every day lately FEELING like she’s 8 months pregnant with twins.

I am legitimately not sure which is worse.

I do know that when I am pregnant one day, I am royally fucked.

IMG_1444

When Kids Have a Secret

Kids/Teaching, Mental Health, , , , , , , , , , ,

Kid: “Do they put bars on the windows at school so no one will jump out of them?”
Me: “Well, I think it’s more to prevent accidents, but yes, it would also prevent someone from jumping.”
Kid: “Yeah that’s like some of my mom’s patients [her mom is a psychiatrist]. But I can’t talk about that. I’m not allowed to.”
Me: “I totally understand.”
Kid: “Yeah. Like, I definitely can’t talk about the man who tried to jump out his window.”
Me: “Ok, then don’t.”
Kid: “He didn’t actually do it, though.”
Me: “Well I’m very glad to hear that.”
Kid: “Yeah.” (pause) “Or like the woman who drinks too much. I’m definitely not supposed to talk about her.”
Me: “Got it. Then let’s not talk about it.”
Kid: “Ok. Yeah, I can’t. It’s a secret.”
Me: “Understood.”
(long pause)
Kid: “She drinks wine in the morning.”

You Should Go To This Event

Friends, Mental Health, Random Thoughts/Happenings, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Screen Shot 2015-04-22 at 7.09.19 PM

Active Minds is an INCREDIBLE organization that is changing the conversation about mental health, preventing suicide, and SAVING LIVES (they helped save mine, as I describe in my post That Time When Nothing Was Funny).

They’re having a kick-ass Casino Night event in NYC on June 10th to raise money and awareness for the mental health cause. Fun, drinks, food, prizes, great crowd and LOCAL CELEBRITIES!*

*Local celebrities** = me

**term “local celebrity” open to interpretation***

***I feel like this is misleading. No celebrities will be there. I will be, though.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ACTIVE MINDS!

I’m Going to Die Alone: A Male vs. Female Response

Dating/Single Life, Family, Mental Health, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes I get the old, “I’m going to die all alone” blues. Nothing dire or overly dramatic. Really.

They usually happen on Sunday. So, like….today.

I texted a female friend with this concern, and her response:

IMG_3216

Then a male friend:

IMG_3215

I’m not gonna lie– the male friend snapped me out of it.

You’ve Got It All Wrong

Being Awkward/Dumb Stuff I Do, Mental Health, Random Thoughts/Happenings, , , , , , , , ,

That moment when you’re getting ready for work and you look out your window and spot a woman who’s just got it all wrong. The outfit, the hair, the bag, the makeup, the expression on her face– everything is a giant hot mess. And you just want to reach out, give her a hug, and say “Come girl, let’s fix you.”

Wait, not a window. A mirror.