Inkblot Fun

There are many kinds of psychological tests that help us understand the human psyche. Some are standardized, meaning that they have varying degrees of right and wrong answers. While others psychological tests are subjective - having NO wrong answers. These kinds of tests, instead, reveal your perception and inner life as a person.

This is not an actual Rorschach Inkblot (it's unethical to reveal them). But if you're so inclined, share what you see. I'll include my response in the comments so as to not influence yours.

Mentally Ill Stuffed Animals

A depressed turtle.
A delusional snake.
A paranoid crocodile.
A sheep with multiple personality disorder.
A hippo with autism.

At first glance, you might think these are cute. But go further and you'll learn that these furry animals are stuffed with stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness.

Parapleusch - a European toy company - is selling these toys with the tag line "Psychiatry for Abused Toys". On the website, you can play an online game at The Asylum and give "treatment" to the toy of your choice. But be prepared for stereotyped crazy behavior, outdated and incorrect diagnostic labels, hallucinogenic drug reactions and the always insulting puppet-sock therapy. Make sure you see the "no-hanging" suicide policy wall sign in the community room. Insensitive. Distasteful. Stigmatizing.

Several blogs have picked up on this story - so you might be hearing about this in mainstream media soon. I'm no stick in the mud. I do enjoy humor. But this kinda stuff needs to stop.

What do you think?

World Suicide Prevention Day: 9/10/2010

Did you know that over 1 million people die by suicide each year? That's a death by suicide very 40 seconds.

Suicide is THE most preventable kind of death. Education, resources, intervention and outreach can help children and adults who struggle with staggering sadness, hopelessness and despair.

One of the most far-reaching campaigns is World Suicide Prevention Day. This health education program is sponsored by The International Association for Suicide Prevention, The World Health Organization, The United Nations and many grass root organizations and agencies every year on September 10th.

This year's theme is "Suicide Prevention Across the World"

To learn about the warning signs for suicidal behavior go here.

For suicide resources in the USA use this link - and for worldwide referrals go here.

Clear Mind. Clear Thoughts.

Amazing, how time away can clear your mind and refuel your senses. These are a few of the things I noticed while on vacation this summer.

1. Tea, hot or cold, tastes better when your feet are up.

2. Telling time by where the sun is in the sky is underrated - and surprisingly not that difficult to learn.

3. Where have all the niceties gone? Please. Thank you. I'll be with you in a moment. These little social graces go a long way. Have we become so technologically involved that eye contact requires effort? What about a smile or a nod? I fear courtesy is going the way of the Dodo bird.

4. Evian spelled backwards is Naïve. Do you think the water bottle company did that on purpose?

5. The only perfect science really is hindsight.