Stigma of Mental Illness for Military

Hi Everyone!

Here is an article now similar to the NFL one concerning our returning military not seeking out psychological treatment because of the stigma attached. This is something we as a society really have to help them out with after all they have done for us.

NFL Players Reluctance to Seek Mental Health Resources

Hi Everyone!

Take a look at this article on NFL players and their relunctance to utilize the organization's mental health resources. Very interesting and in line with general public's reluctance. It is such a shame and I'm glad they are opening up the dialogue. Lets hope this will help in the future. Make sure to scroll down past the advertisements (sigh!).

Tai Chi Helps You 'Move It'

Hi Everyone!

Many of you may recall I am certified in Tai Chi for Wellness. It is a blend of Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation. It is a wonderful peaceful grounding experience which has helped me personally in many ways. One of the benefits is relieving pain for those who suffer from pain and one type in particular is Arthritis. Tai Chi not onlyhelps with pain perception but moving ones joints helps with the pain by losing and strengthening them muscles. Research is beginning to prove this for the elderly in fact and the Arthritis Foundation even has their own Tai Chi Routine. Check your local communities for opportunities to learn some Tai Chi. You will then be able to "Move It, Move It" much easier!

Psych Week Discovery Health Channel

Discovery Health Channel is having Psych Week this coming week! Check out the previews!

The Face of Mental Illness

Hi Everyone!

Which of the following, if any, would you guess is mentally ill?

The Answer?

Could be any one, all of the above or even none of the above and that is the point!

Glenn Close has an article "Mental Illness: The Stigma of Silence" in which she discusses this very point. She discusses from personal experience from having family members who are mentally ill and compares the perception society has from distorted views from media, in particular roles she has even played in Fatal Attraction and other movies. We tend to have an image that someone who is mentally ill is suppose to look like the following picture when this is rarely the case. We think of them as different, a monster or NOT LIKE YOU or your loved ones. Hmmm!

Glenn Close & others are now trying to change this image through an organization called Bring Change 2 Mind. Watch the video below & then there are more on the site!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Hi Everyone!

When is the last time you were so happy you actually jumped for Joy?! :-)

In Intro we discuss what the research finds makes people happy and what people think will make them happy but really doesn't.

Where do you think the Happiest place on earth is? Nope not Disney! :-)

Oprah's show today looks at Happiness around the world. The show highlights Denmark, which is found as the happiest place on earth. Are you wondering why they were chosen? What is so special about them? Well what if we didn't have poverty, homeless and unemployment? What if we lost our job & the government paid 90% of our salary for four years? What if we got 12 months PAID maternity leave? Free college? Yes, I'm also thinking I could be happy there! :-) Take a look at the link & read more about Denmark & some other countries who are higher than America. Where are we? 23rd! Hmmm...

Come On, Get Happy!

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist! :-) I can still remember my friend saying she could not stay out to play anymore because The Partridge Family was going to be on tv. I had not heard of it. I went inside myself to watch & instantly fell in love with David Cassidy. Well, he was the Zac Efron of the time! :-) I was 5 years old when the show began.

Scientific American Mind has an article by Melinda Wenner entitled, "Smile! It Could Make You Happier". This article basically discusses the Facial Feedback Hypothesis we discuss in Intro Psych. It discusses how those who can't frown, due to Botox treatments, are on average happier and those who do frown experience pain more intensely. They may try to inhibit frowning for those in pain to see if it helps relieve a person's pain. Some researchers have shown though if we do not express our negative feelings, they actually "leak" into other areas. Take a look at the article & SMILE! :-)