NoStigmas

NoStigmas is a global non-profit movement utilizing peer-2-peer connections to promote mental wellness and prevent suicide. Our unique individual approach provides education, support systems and access to mental health resources at no cost. Join us at nostigmas.org

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Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

The birth of a child is one of life’s most profound changes. And while it’s often met with joy and celebration, it’s also a time when new mothers are extremely susceptible to depression and anxiety. Between hormonal fluctuations, chemical changes, exhaustion, physical recovery – not to mention the challenges of caring for a newborn - it’s not surprising that most women will experience mood changes and “the baby blues.”

1 out of 7 women, however, experience more extreme symptoms of depression and anxiety. In fact, the symptoms can appear at any point during the pregnancy and into the first 12 months after the birth.

According to Postpartum Support International, there are several forms of illness women may experience.

Depression during pregnancy and postpartum

The most common complication of childbirth, depression affects approximately 15% of women.

Symptoms may include:

·      Crying and sadness

·      Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness

·      Anger and irritability

·      Lack of interest in the baby

·      Possible thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

Anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum

While some women experience anxiety in addition to depression, others are exclusively impacted by constant worry and panic attacks. Approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women develop anxiety.  

Symptoms may include:

·      Racing thoughts

·      Panic attacks

·      Inability to sit still

·      Dizziness, hot flashes and nausea

Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The most misunderstood and misdiagnosed of all perinatal disorders, approximately 3-5% of new mothers and some new fathers experience OCD.

Symptoms may include:

·      Obsessive or intrusive thoughts or mental images related to the baby

·      Compulsions to do activities that reduce fears, like cleaning, checking or putting things in order

·      Fear of being alone with the baby

·      Hypervigilance to protect the baby

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Approximately 9% of women experience PTSD from childbirth, such as an unplanned C-section, baby going to the NICU, feelings of powerlessness during birth, or from past traumatic experiences.

Symptoms may include:

·      Intrusive thoughts and re-experiencing the trauma

·      Flashbacks or nightmares

·      Avoidance of anything associated with the event

·      Anxiety and panic attacks

Bipolar Mood Disorder

Many women are diagnosed with bipolar depression or mania for the first time during pregnancy. It may look like severe depression or anxiety, and mood history must be addressed to determine if there is a pattern of distinct highs and lows.

Symptoms may include:

·      Periods of severe depression

·      Periods when mood is much better

·      Racing thoughts

·      Continuous high energy

·      Impulsiveness and poor judgment

·      Delusions and hallucinations

Postpartum Psychosis

A rare illness, PPP occurs in approximately 1-2 out of every 1,000 births. Onset is sudden and typically within the first 2 weeks postpartum. The condition itself is temporary and very treatable, but it is a medical emergency and requires immediate help. There is an approximately 5% suicide rate and 4% infanticide rate associated with postpartum psychosis.

Symptoms may include:

·      Delusions or hallucinations

·      Hyperactivity

·      Decreased ability or need for sleep

·      Paranoia

·      Rapid mood swings

It is important to remember that perinatal mood disorders are not the mother’s fault and she is not to blame. Women with a history of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are especially susceptible to perinatal mental health issues, but because they can impact anyone it’s important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms. With the right tools and support, which may range from rest and self-care, to individual or group counseling, to medication and antidepressants, women can and do make a full recovery. Giving women the space to talk freely and without judgment about their experiences as mothers can end the shame and stigma that surrounds perinatal mood disorders.

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Here's to your independence! 💥 . . . #nostigmas #independenceday #4thofjuly #americanflag #mentalhealth #goyou #healthychoices #beyourself #itsokaynottobeokay #onedayatatime #freedom

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THE ALLY PROGRAM IS HERE! 💚 Our FREE membership site gives you access to our new Ally Training Course, peer support groups and awesome perks. We'd love for you to join us: nostigmas.org This program has been two years in the making and fulfills our goal to build an app. Co-developed by our very own @JacobMoore and @_EClare, this is mental health support for peers, by peers! Get started: nostigmas.org #mentalhealthmonth #yearofnostigmas #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #MHAM2017 #allyprogram #mentalhealth #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #mentalillness #braindisease #startswithyou #takeaction

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When a Friend Dies by Suicide - Jacob Moore

When a Friend Dies by Suicide

By Jacob Moore

She landed the “gig” of a lifetime, an opportunity that would change everything.  Months in advance she booked a hotel downtown, the car that would take her there and planned every other detail of her trip... except for her airfare.  Just like most trips, she would wait to book her flight despite the risk of the high fares she was bound to pay.  

My friend, like 20 million Americans, was afraid to fly.  It’s a condition called aviophobia, which is a bona fide anxiety disorder.

But she wasn’t afraid of flying for the reason you may think.  It wasn’t the crashing and dying part that she was afraid of.  It was the lack of control; being trapped 30,000 feet in the air with hundreds of strangers and no way out is what down right terrified her.

No, death she was comfortable with.  Since a young age she’d lived with chronic suicidal ideation.  Overwhelmed with a persistent need to take her own life, she’d attempted suicide more times than she could count.  It was the only time she felt like the one in control.  

We used to talk and text long into the night about her “need to die,” as she put it.  She was embarrassed by it.  Paranoid that someone would find any number of prepared methods she had hidden around the house.  Afraid that everyone would find out that she didn’t have it all together.  I can still hear her husky voice saying, “The world is better off without me.  My death will do more for people than I could ever do in life.”  

I used every crisis intervention approach that I’d learned as a Mental Health First Aid instructor:

Assess for risk of suicide or self-harm.  Check.

Listen nonjudgmentally.  Check.

Give reassurance and information.  Check.

Encourage professional help.  Check.

Encourage self-help.  Check.

I also used my personal experiences as the founder of NoStigmas.  My father having died by suicide when I was six, I know a thing or two about the ripple effects of losing someone to suicide.  I shared my own struggles with anxiety and depression, even going as far as commiserating with her about my own thoughts of suicide and losing the will to live in high school.  Peer support at its finest.

When things got really scary, I enlisted reinforcements.  I called 911 and asked for Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) officers to visit her house.  She put on that familiar mask and pretended everything was okay, sending them away.

During those times, her desire to die was so strong that it defied all reason.  Her guarded smile and self-deprecating humor would turn very dark.  Going through it with her for hours on end was exhausting.  I couldn’t hang up for fear that she’d kill herself.  When I didn’t hear from her, I would worry and reach out to make sure she was okay.  It was an unhealthy cycle.  I became so desperate to help that I started neglecting my own wellness.  I was losing sleep, constantly anxious and afraid I’d say the wrong thing and trigger an attempt.  

After months of this, I had to create some healthy boundaries and manage her expectations of me as an ally.  This was really tough to introduce to her and even more difficult to adhere to.  Unfortunately, she took this to mean that I was abandoning her and eventually cut off contact with me.  I felt like I had completely failed her and she didn’t care about the countless times I tried to help.  That was a year ago.  

My friend Amy Bleuel died by suicide last week.  

I am devastatingly guilt-ridden at myself and helplessly angry at her all at the same time.  I can’t believe she actually did it.  I should have been there.  I could have done more.  I have failed as a friend.  I have no business doing this work.  Etiam atque etiam.

Is this what a doctor feels like when they "did everything they could" to save someone's life and ultimately lose them?  But what more could I have done, really?  What more can anyone do when someone sees death as the only solution to a life of pain?  We can’t control someone else’s actions.  We can’t “fix” anyone else, no matter how hard we might try.  I know that I did everything in my power to support her.  But I still feel like a helpless six-year-old fatherless child all over again.

I’m not alone in these feelings.  Over 800,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide.  It’s said that each of them leaves behind six people who are forever and irreparably affected by their death.  Each of us carries a “survivor's guilt” and all the “what if’s” with us wherever we go.

But another perspective is this: I had the privilege of knowing her in a way few ever have.  Amy chose to trust me with her hopes, dreams and crushing realities.  She lived through things no human should ever have to experience and used that to help others.  For whatever length of time, we got to talk about taboo things and experience raw humanness in a way that frightens most people.  And that connection will continue on.  

Let’s all remember those who are gone for the lives they lived, rather than they way they died.

Fly free, my friend; your story isn’t over.

-- -- --

If you or someone you know is in crisis or considering suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text “NoStigmas” to 741-741.

A special thank you to E.C. and those who have and continue to support me in so many ways.  You give me renewed strength and perspective to continue ever forward.

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We're Partnering With The Mighty!

We're Partnering With The Mighty! 

We're thrilled to announce a new partnership that will bring our resources in front of The Mighty's wide-reaching readership. We will now have a home on The Mighty and appear on many stories on the site.

The Mighty is a story-based health community focused on improving the lives of people facing disease, disorder, mental illness and disability. More than half of Americans are facing serious health conditions or medical issues. They want more than information. They want to be inspired. The Mighty publishes real stories about real people facing real challenges.

Here’s an example of the kind of stories on The Mighty: These 25 Quotes Prove Depression Is More Than Sadness.

We're dedicated to helping people with mental illness like anxiety and depression in their lives. With this partnership, we'll be able to help even more people.

We encourage you to submit a story to The Mighty and make your voice heard. You can even repost your NoStigmas Project contribution there. Learn how below.

Thanks to each of you for creating the greatest mental health community for peers, by peers!

How to Submit a Story to The Mighty

1. Go to The Mighty's story submission form: http://bit.do/TheMightySubmit

2. If you already have a Mighty account, fill out the form to submit a story. If you don't have an account, set one up and then you can fill out the form and submit a story.

3. Make sure to click 'Yes' under 'Did a Mighty Partner organization recommend you write this story?' and select NoStigmas from the Partner Association menu! That way you can be sure our resources will appear on your story.

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RepostBy @jacobmoore: You don't have to face it alone! Check @movember for men's health info. Reach out to @nostigmas for mental health support and @800273talk for crisis intervention 👌 #movember #mobro #mustache #nostigmas #mentalhealth #menshealth #mensmentalhealth #manly #cowboy #cowboyhat #wellness #health #depression #anxiety #suicide #suicideprevention #ok2talk #3words

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Finding Our Way Home

The thing about moving away from home is that when you need to run away, just for the feel of running, just for the crust of mud on your boots, sometimes there’s only skyscrapers and city lights and a grid you can’t get lost in.  So you lose yourself.  You let go, bit by bit, just to see what it’s like—what they all said it would be like—to struggle.  I hang on to things that don’t matter with my pinky finger, and I’m not sure why I do it. I never really ran away, but sometimes, back home, I would feel like there was this cage closing in around me, and I had to get out before its door locked shut.  There were a lot of times when I would just walk out the door, walk down one street, then another, and down a third street lined with corn fields until I got to my grandparents’ house.  Sometimes I drove there, but at those times I would turn the three minute drive into a thirty minute one, testing the limits of the roads I knew.  I needed to see new things.

I needed to be somewhere else.  Home wasn’t good enough.  I wanted to find myself a new home, create a little camp for myself in the wilderness, with dark trees hanging over me and coyotes stealing my food.  I sped past all of it, and cold wind billowed through the barely open windows.  I could only get so far away before I felt myself longing for the warmth of my bed, my cat, and my brother’s hugs.

There’s not all that much to do back home in Indiana, but there’s no lack of things to be done in Chicago.  Even so, I run into the same problem.  The cage.  The buildings are too tall.  The grass is too short.  The lake, where I feel most at home, is too cold to go near for any length of time.  I look for new things.  New beautiful things.  I look for any opportunity to take a break, get away, take a vacation from the vibrant, pulsing place that has now become boring in its familiarity.

Vacation, for me, is a place on the water.  Not a warm place or a cold place, but a place in the middle.  A place where the world is so expansive that I feel small and humble in its presence.  It’s the gentle tilt, back and forth, of my grandpa’s boat, as he points to an eagle gliding with its broad, dark wings outstretched.

The funny thing is, that same sort of vacation happens to also be the place where I feel most at home.

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the term at home as, “relaxed and comfortable: at ease; at harmony with the surroundings; on familiar ground.”  I think it’s interesting that no part of this particular definition includes the actual building that one considers as “home.”

Being in college, people always ask me, “Where’s home?  Where are you from?”  I feel like I give a different answer every time, even though my zip code has never changed.

Growing up, I had four homes.  There was the place where I lived, and the place where my grandparents lived with my dog and a swimming pool and the woods I grew up exploring.  There was the more-shack-than-cabin we stayed in for a week every year in Michigan, and there was the resort in Minnesota where we stayed in each cabin at least once.  In all of these places, I felt like there was a part of me that belonged there, that would always be there, and a part of those places would always stay with me.

Taking vacations for weddings, family time, or fun has always given me a stronger sense of what home actually is.  It makes me miss the familiar.  It reminds me of the people I love.  It builds a sense of community and connectedness.  When I find a person from Minneapolis who knows where my hometown is, I feel important, like I’m part of something bigger and in some way connected to all the other people in the world.  Traveling has a normalizing effect.

But there’s no greater community than discovering your own home.  Maybe it’s not a building.  Maybe it’s not even a place.  But “home,” as defined by Merriam Webster, could simply mean a group of people who make you feel welcome or comfortable or loved.  It could even be one person.  It could be a pet.  But without that “home” to support us and reel us back, it would be much harder to scramble out of the cages that sometimes threaten to close us in.

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Stepping Up When Anxiety Shuts An Employee Down

Stepping Up When Anxiety Shuts An Employee Down

By Michael Bushman

 If you manage a large team or even a few people over a number of years, chances are you’ve encountered an employee struggling with an anxiety disorder. React well as a leader/manager and you’ll help the struggling employee recover and contribute to your organizational success. Pile onto their problem and you’ll help send that employee, and your results, into downward spiral.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18 percent of U.S. adults experience at least one type of anxiety disorder in a typical year.  While anxiety disorders are treatable, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has found that only one-third of those struggling seek help. 

As a leader/manager in any organizational setting, you don’t need to diagnose the disorder to recognize when an employee needs help. If you believe help is needed, consider the following:

Draw attention to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

Many organizations establish EAP outlets because they pay off financially. An employee struggling with an anxiety disorder is more valuable to the company after learning to manage their mental health. If you believe an employee who may need help would be uncomfortable directly discussing EAP programs with you, ask a human resources partner to talk to your full team about EAP offerings.

Consider your employee’s workload

An employee struggling with generalized anxiety disorder, for example, may need you to hand out work assignments at a pace they can handle. If you overwhelm them with more work than they can conceivably accomplish – and don’t help set priorities – you may trigger a debilitating reaction.

Create an environment for success

Social Anxiety Disorder is among the most common anxiety challenges. From a leader/manager perspective, you may notice an employee blushing, shaking, tensing muscles or even displaying periods of unusual confusion that can accompany panic attacks. If this happens, create safer situations for the employee to build social success. An employee may be “afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad, and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others,” according to WebMD, with the fear potentially compounded by a lack of social skills or situational experience. You can create confidence that comes from experience by slowly building an employee’s comfort in social situations. Consider asking them to present a topic to you individually, inviting their active participation in small group discussions, and offering to be their practice audience if you know they are facing an uncomfortable speaking role. Even being the center of attention without needing to speak can make someone struggling with anxiety uncomfortable. Ensure that this attention doesn’t last long enough to trigger a tough reaction.

Provide advance warning

 Anxiety disorders can be triggered if an employee faces a situation without time to identify a success path. To the extent you can give an employee a heads up on a new work requirement and bolster their confidence, you might mitigate an episodic reaction. Some anxiety disorders prevent people from thinking through issues, getting ideas stuck in the “fight-or-flight” section of their brain. Time, problem resolution discussions and encouragement can help the brain find circuits past its instinctive amygdala to problem-solving regions of the mind. Anxiety disorders are categorized as mental illnesses, but they are not mental capacity limits. Theories about the causes of anxiety disorders include components of brain chemistry, brain circuitry and genetic traits. High-stress life experiences can contribute to chemical imbalances and circuit stresses. Fortunately, treatments for anxiety disorders are available with proven success records. Some individuals can recover in as little as a few weeks, while treatments in tougher cases can take more than a year (usually simultaneous with work). To treat a chemical imbalance, redirect thought patterns or alleviate anxiety symptoms, your employee may need to search for a therapist, find a support group, and/or get medical help in identifying an appropriate prescription. Managers don’t play a role in these actions (other than through recommending EAP connections). Managers, however, can play a role in helping an employee follow through on many coping strategies recommended by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. ADAA suggestions for an anxiety disorder sufferer include:

Managing time with to-do lists and engaging managers in setting priorities.

Not procrastinating so that work is done well before an agreed deadline.

Not overcommitting.

Asking for help.

Avoiding toxic coworkers. (Managers can help here.)

Taking breaks. A walk around the block or a few minutes of deep breathing can help clear one’s head.

Setting boundaries.

Savoring success. Celebrate good work before moving on.

Be healthy. Eat healthy. Sleep. Exercise. Limit caffeine and alcohol.

eep these practices in mind. Consider adjusting your management style on everything from the food brought in as treats to the frequency at which you change priorities, the ways in which you communicate and the team members with whom the anxiety sufferer must interact.

A good employee may trigger into an anxiety disorder, even after years of great performance. The good employee is still there. As a leader/manager, you can help bring the best back out of them with a little care and concern. It’s in your interest to make the effort.

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Practice No Harm-The Places That Scare You

"Practice not causing harm to anyone-yourself or others-and every day, do what you can to be helpful."  -- The Places That Scare You, Pema Chödrön

I am not one who normally comments on the ongoings of the world, I usually reflect on them internally while silently taking in the reactions of others. Lately however, with all the hate and violence going on it’s hard to stay quiet. I’m scared, I’m sad, I’m hopeless. I hate to admit that I feel hopeless but sometimes it’s the truth. I simply do not understand how we can have so much anger in us that we need to cause harm to others, and ultimately ourselves, over and over again. Even worse, the reaction sometimes seems to entice more hate and judgement. Deep down I know that hopelessness is not the answer. If everyone who felt hopeless decided that what they do or feel does not matter to the world as a whole, we will always remain in the same current state. And while we may not all be able to start a revolution, we can do something. As Pema talks about in The Places That Scare You, we can start by causing less harm and creating more love, both for others and ourselves. When we start loving ourselves more it is easier to share the love with others. Small acts of kindness can start a ripple effect and though may seem small, at times like these it can be the change we need. Opening the door for someone, smiling and saying good morning to a stranger, not judging others. Every good deed, small gesture, positive vibe put back into the world will make the human race, the human spirit better. This is why it's more important than ever to put aside the hopeless feelings. We need to pay attention to the good things and the good people we encounter in our day to day life's; for if we always focus on the bad the light of the world will continue to fade away. 

As Gandhi so famously said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. What can we be doing for ourselves and for others that can ignite a positive change in our world today? 

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Shadows-Dark Side of the Light Chasers

"Your life will be transformed when you make peace with your shadow."  -- Dark Side of the Light Chasers, Debbie Ford

There can be a great deal of pain associated with our pasts. That pain can bring on feelings we try and avoid at all costs; feelings of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness. The thing about our past however, is it will always be a part of us. No matter how much we try to hide where we came from our past cannot be unwritten, it will always follow us, be our shadow. The key to dealing with our past is through acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding. Acknowledging that the pain and hardship was real, accepting the circumstances we were dealt or the choices we made, and understanding that every experience has a lesson or opportunity for growth hiding in it somewhere. If we continue to conceal our shadows, we allow the past to haunt us and negatively affect our lives. To make peace with your past is to make peace with yourself. We have the choice to turn our shadows from a gloomy presence into a reminder of what we have overcome.

My long dark shadow has been affecting my life for years. I tried to hide it for a long time but it was always by my side. My shadow was a cloud of shame of the poor choices I had made for myself. The undeniable disregard for self-love and self-respect. The shadow did not allow me to see the light that was buried inside, instead I was overpowered by guilt, regret, and embarrassment. The process of coming to peace with my shadow was long and slow, and very much still a work in progress. I can truly say however, that by simply acknowledging its presence allowed for a transformation to begin. Accepting my past and appreciating the person it has allowed me to become has made the shadow a little shorter, and a little less dark each and every day. Have you allowed yourself to make peace with your shadow? How has it changed the way you live your life? 

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How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Mental Health

How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Mental Health

by Logan Riesterer

What Can Going to the Chiropractor Do For You?

Chiropractors don’t just help with those physical aches and pains! Research shows that some chiropractic methods can also heal your mind. If you think about it, you’re much more likely to feel better mentally when you also feel well physically. Read on below for some facts about what visiting the chiropractor can do for you!

It can help your depression.

In one 2005 study, researchers found a clear link between one particular chiropractic technique and the reduction of depressive symptoms.

It might treat ADHD in children.

A 2010 article examined several case studies of children with ADHD who underwent chiropractic care and found reported improvements in behavior.

It can reduce stress.

Stress is well known to be one of the factors that can make mental health issues worse and decrease quality of life. In a 2000 study, participants who self-reported as being under a lot of stress reported some improvement through chiropractic methods.

But how does chiropractic do all of this?    

While the methods differ depending on the chiropractor, patient, and reported symptoms, chiropractors generally believe that spinal misalignments can cause nerve issues, with the nervous system being the basis of many mental disorders. Researchers continue to study this area, but if you'd like to learn more, click here!

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How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Mental Health

How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Mental Health by Logan Riesterer

What Can Going to the Chiropractor Do For You?

Chiropractors don’t just help with those physical aches and pains! Research shows that some chiropractic methods can also heal your mind. If you think about it, you’re much more likely to feel better mentally when you also feel well physically. Read on below for some facts about what visiting the chiropractor can do for you!

It can help your depression.

In one 2005 study, researchers found a clear link between one particular chiropractic technique and the reduction of depressive symptoms.

It might treat ADHD in children.

A 2010 article examined several case studies of children with ADHD who underwent chiropractic care and found reported improvements in behavior.

It can reduce stress.

Stress is well known to be one of the factors that can make mental health issues worse and decrease quality of life. In a 2000 study, participants who self-reported as being under a lot of stress reported some improvement through chiropractic methods.

But how does chiropractic do all of this?

    While the methods differ depending on the chiropractor, patient, and reported symptoms, chiropractors generally believe that spinal misalignments can cause nerve issues, with the nervous system being the basis of many mental disorders. Researchers continue to study this area, but if you'd like to learn more, click here!

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The Universe Conspires

"When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it. "  -- The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

There is only one thing I have ever been certain about in life; becoming a mother. There was never any question in my mind that one day I would have children of my own. Whenever I thought about the future I always imagined all the wonderful memories I would create with my children.  I dedicated several years in my mid to late twenties focusing on becoming the best version of myself. Keeping my depression and anxiety in line was always a big reason for this but it was also about preparing myself to be the best mom I could be. I never wanted my future child to feel the burden of my illness, I needed to be in the best possible place for myself before I could become a mother.

During this self-improvement journey I noticed that my body was not allowing me to make the transition into motherhood even though my mind and soul were ready. I was told that when the time came I would probably have to try assisted reproductive therapy to conceive a child. This of course is something no woman longing for motherhood wants to hear.  After grieving the news however, I decided that diagnosis did not have to be part of my story. I was not going to give in that easily. After about a year of lifestyle changes and introducing holistic therapies my body started responding. I was relieved. Shortly after I tested positive on a pregnancy test, this was it, I was going to be a mom. Six weeks later I went to the ER and discovered I had suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A few hours after that I was being prepped for surgery to remove the pregnancy and damaged fallopian tube. I could not believe how quickly things had changed. Although the pregnancy was short lived I formed a connection with my child immediately and the pain of our loss was very real. Four months later I experienced another loss after miscarrying. This is not how my journey into motherhood was supposed to be. I mourned, I cried, I questioned, I overcame. I knew deep down this was not the end of my journey, I wanted this too much, I worked too hard to get here. I truly believed the universe had a plan for me. Years ago I would never have been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having faith that things can turn out for the better and keeping a positive attitude were not things I was capable of.  Though after dedicating all those years to bettering myself, I learned how to make the best of a negative situation. I was able to let go and let be.  

Last weekend I celebrated my first Mother’s Day with my brand new baby girl. The universe had conspired to help me achieve the most precious gift. Now I cannot imagine being a mother to any other child, this special little being was destined for me all along. The journey is never easy, it can be filled with doubt and heavy emotions, but once it is over you appreciate the experience. I believe I am even more grateful for the gift of motherhood having gone through the hard times. Is there something in your life you wanted more than anything? Was there a mentality you embraced to help you achieve it? 

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Jacob Moore & Andy Slade get real about mental health. It's about to get weird. #guytalk #awkward #mentalhealth #nostigmas

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Casually Diagnosing People: It’s Not Okay to Call Someone A Mental Illness

How often do we just casually diagnose one another? 

"He's so OCD."

"OMG, she's so bipolar!

"I feel so schizophrenic."

Ya know, it's not okay to call someone a name and it's definitely not okay to cal someone a mental illness.

NOSTIGMAS CORE VALUES

- We all have a responsibility for our own mental health.

- A person is not defined by their diagnosis and should be treated as an individual.

- No one should feel alone in their mental health journey.

- It’s important to speak up when you need support or see someone who does.

- It’s essential to use non-stigmatizing, respectful language when communicating about mental illness and suicide.

- Everyone deserves equal access to the care they need.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, COMMUNITY, & ADVOCACY

We believe everyone can and should take responsibility for their own mental health. Your wellness journey is your own, and it has unique steps that only you can recognize and choose to take. Self-care is an essential part of your own health and your ability to advocate for yourself and others.

While you alone can take steps toward wellness, we also believe that none of us should have to experience that journey alone. That’s why we foster a community dedicated to supporting each other in an environment of acceptance and equality. Our individual journeys are unique, and we are whole people with rich identities beyond a diagnosis. We believe in speaking up when we see someone in need of support, and not being afraid to ask for that support ourselves.

Advocacy can also happen in a world outside our own community. As both a community and individuals, we're able to take action that promotes mental health equality and suicide prevention. This includes raising awareness about mental health, advocating for the use of non-stigmatized language, promoting access to mental health treatment, and generally taking a stand to further the cause of mental health awareness.

By living these core values, we strive to make our community full of empowered NoStigmas Advocates!

[nostigmas]

Casually Diagnosing People: It’s Not Okay to Call Someone A Mental Illness

How often do we just casually diagnose one another? 

"He's so OCD."

"OMG, she's so bipolar!

"I feel so schizophrenic."

Ya know, it's not okay to call someone a name and it's definitely not okay to cal someone a mental illness.

NOSTIGMAS CORE VALUES

- We all have a responsibility for our own mental health.

- A person is not defined by their diagnosis and should be treated as an individual.

- No one should feel alone in their mental health journey.

- It’s important to speak up when you need support or see someone who does.

- It’s essential to use non-stigmatizing, respectful language when communicating about mental illness and suicide.

- Everyone deserves equal access to the care they need.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, COMMUNITY, & ADVOCACY

We believe everyone can and should take responsibility for their own mental health. Your wellness journey is your own, and it has unique steps that only you can recognize and choose to take. Self-care is an essential part of your own health and your ability to advocate for yourself and others.

While you alone can take steps toward wellness, we also believe that none of us should have to experience that journey alone. That’s why we foster a community dedicated to supporting each other in an environment of acceptance and equality. Our individual journeys are unique, and we are whole people with rich identities beyond a diagnosis. We believe in speaking up when we see someone in need of support, and not being afraid to ask for that support ourselves.

Advocacy can also happen in a world outside our own community. As both a community and individuals, we're able to take action that promotes mental health equality and suicide prevention. This includes raising awareness about mental health, advocating for the use of non-stigmatized language, promoting access to mental health treatment, and generally taking a stand to further the cause of mental health awareness.

By living these core values, we strive to make our community full of empowered NoStigmas Advocates!

[nostigmas]

Enough-I Am That Girl

"I have enough, I do enough, I am enough."  -- I Am That Girl, Alexis Jones

Occasionally I will come across a book that has too many powerful quotes to highlight just one (at least for now), I Am That Girl is one of them.  I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones is the epitome of girl power for the 21st century. It's all about breaking through self- doubt, embracing our weaknesses and proudly admitting yes, I am that girl. Author and international speaker, Alexis Jones, states she wrote IATG because “I’m tired of feeling inadequate, desperate for approval, and chronically insecure.” Do you ever feel this way? I know I do. I was immediately drawn to the books title because so often we hear the phrase “she’s that girl” and more often than not, it carries a negative tone. It can come from insecurities or judgment of others for being something we secretly long to be, a public disapproval but a secret desire. She’s that girl who goes to the gym every day, who can juggle a demanding job and still finds time to save the world, that girl who looks like perfection no matter what. In short, this book is about acceptance and encouragement, that “I have enough, I do enough, I am enough.” It is not about comparing our successes and failures to those around us but accepting that our journey is unique and that by showing up and doing the best we can, we are more than enough. When we accept who we are we are giving others courage to do the same. By supporting others in our lives and encouraging them to be powerful and bold we are creating more space for the human race to shine. In a world where we can subconsciously (or consciously) view others successes as our failures, it is important to know that the accomplishments of others in no way diminishes us. We are all extraordinary beings.

This powerful girl guide is full of stories and personal life lessons from both Alexis and more than thirty other women. Creating passion and compassion, dancing to your own drum, dreaming big, resilience, learning from others and being of service are just some of the topics covered. It is the type of book you want to revisit time and time again because the stories will always be inspiring and the lessons learned will be a little different after each read. Is there a characteristic of yourself that you are proud to say yes, I am that girl? Or one that was challenging to accept but makes you beautifully you?