September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day

 

Sunday September 10, 2023 is World Suicide Prevention Day. 

Every 40 seconds someone in the world dies by suicide.  

This means suicide is responsible for almost one million deaths every year across the world. Another way to look at this is how Dr. Catherine Le Galès-Camus, from the World Health Organization, describes the rate of suicide each year: "Worldwide, more people die from suicide than from all homicides and wars combined."


WARNING SIGNS FOR SUICIDE

Click here for warning signs you can learn about. 

RESOURCES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION 

International Association for Suicide Prevention offers a great list of suicide prevention resources.

URGENT TELEPHONE CELL PHONE CONTACT

Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, every day, to help you or someone you love find help.

1800 273 TALK   

1800 273 8255

URGENT CELL PHONE TEXT CONTACT

If you would rather text than talk, the Crisis Text Line is available 24 hours a day, every day. 

Text HELLO to 741741 to connect 

August in National Make a Will Month

Studies show that 75% of parents don't have a will. While many think they're too young, don't have enough money or that their property will automatically go to their next of kin, all three common assumptions are wrong.

Life can end unexpectedly in an instant and, without a plan in place, grieving relatives can be tied up in court for years in the process of acquiring and dividing an estate's assets.

In honor of National Make-A-Will Month this August, the American Red Cross and FreeWill have teamed up to offer free legal will support. 

Some reasons to consider making a will are below.

1. Children. If you have minor children, you need to specify guardians so that you, and not the court system, will determine who would raise your children.
2. Property. Recording your wishes for the distribution of your assets and property not only ensures that your decisions are honored but it can also help your family avoid destructive conflicts over these issues.
3. Final decisions. Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough to handle. Sparing your loved ones the stress and anxiety of determining how you would like to be honored and remembered can be avoided with a will.

While it can feel a bit unsettling to think of these things, making a will gives you peace of mind and helps your loved ones understand your wishes. 

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique mental health struggles that racial, ethnic and minority subcultures face in the United States.  

Striving for mental health equity enables everyone to have the opportunity for wellbeing.

Link here for resources 

Goodreads Giveaway of "Sometimes When I'm Worried"

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Sometimes When I’m Worried

by Deborah Serani

Giveaway ends July 25, 2023.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Dr. Deb is a Best Mind Blog of 2023

Photo: Feedspot Logo

My little ol' blog has been noted as one a the top Best Mind Blogs of 2023 from media giant Feedspot, the Internet's Largest Curated Database of Bloggers and Podcasts.

Studies show that blogging offers enormous social, emotional and cognitive benefits, and  individuals who read, follow and participate with mental health bloggers can experience a sense of belonging, help reframe their mental health priorities and learn ways to bring greater meaning into their life. 

Take a look at the other great bloggers you should follow for mental health from around the world.

When Mother's Day is Tough

Mother's Day is a holiday that is marked world-wide. Countries such as the United States, Canada, The UK, Australia, China and Japan, just to name a few, highlight the day on their yearly calendar.

Historically, Mother's Day has been a day where children and other family members honor mothers who are nurturing and supportive. For some, it is a day of celebration, of expressing one's love and appreciation for to a mother - or someone who is like a mother. The day is met with happiness and the sharing of joyous memories -  and the anticipation of good times to come.

However, for others, Mother's Day is not so easy. It can bring forth sadness, loss and yearning if one's mother has died. 

Anger and resentment can be felt by those who've never had a good relationship their mother.

Mother's Day can wrench your heart if you're own mother who you've been so close to has dementia or illness and cannot recognize your own face.

Or if a mother has lost a child to accident or illness, it can become a difficult day filled with enormous loss.

• What about if you gave up your child for adoption?
• Or had to terminate a pregnancy?
• Or was never able to have a child of your own? 
• Or worry that the child you gave birth to is struggling with things bigger than love can cure?

5 Tips for Getting Through The Day

In my work, anniversary dates or holidays can be especially difficult for anyone who's experienced loss, death or the recognition of hardship in a relationship. Of all the days in the calendar year, Mother's Day and Father's Day tend to evoke the most profound emotional responses. And there are no cards in stationery stores that honor these painful emotions. Here are some tips to help:

1. To those of you who struggle with Mother's Day, know you're not alone. 
2. Give yourself permission to feel and think whatever comes from within.
3. Create a tradition that honors your needs.
4. Understand that you may feel distress days before and after Mother's Day.
5. On this day, it's important for you to mother yourself.

Baby Books

So happy to have these wee little books to give out to children at book fairs.

Goodreads Book Giveaway: The Award-Winning "SOMETIMES WHEN I'M BORED"

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Sometimes When I’m Bored

by Deborah Serani

Giveaway ends February 28, 2023.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway