I Thought I Told Ya!: Recent Episodes
CJ
Life’s hard enough. Please don’t get mentally KO’d when you don’t have to. Every Monday, join CJ, everyone’s favorite queer, vet, social worker as she discusses new topics on our Mental Health Mondays segment. If you’re looking for some great tips and advice on improving your mental health, then this is the podcast for you.
Today’s segment is Mental Health Mondays will focus on Trauma Compatibility. Today’s topic will discuss an overview of trauma and how it affects us; physically cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. When dealing with in addressed traumas, we tend to attract others on the same wavelength.
Today's episode of the Generation of Silence segment on Child Sexual Abuse. Ending the Cycle of abuse is key when dealing with general abuse within the family.
Today’s episode of Mental Health Mondays will focus on how to become more self aware when it comes to recognizing our triggers. What is Self Awareness? The 3 Key steps to obtain Self Awareness.
Today’s segment on Mental Health Mondays discusses the Pressures to Succeed and how it leads to anxiety and depression. We adhere to society’s expectations to succeed as well as our own. Today’s segment talks about overcoming these pressures.
In today’s episode of the Generation of Silence segment, the topic of discussion will be about Society’s Perception of Child Sexual Abuse. The primary focus is coming from the perspective of growing up in a black household and how society shapes our lives when it comes to abuse. Two key points of discussion are: 1. Kids’ Needs Come Last and 2. Girls are weak, Boys are Strong. Some of the messages that society send are: Children are ultimately expendable, the needs of the man matter most, and blacks are viewed as inferior.
In today’s segment of Mental Health Mondays will be about the anxiety, stress and overwhelm. The focus will be on how anxiety and the feeling of overwhelm can take a toll on us, what are some of the reasons for feeling overwhelmed, the similarities and differences between anxiety and stress, and some few tips to help alleviate anxiety and overwhelm.
Today's episode of Mental Health Mondays focuses on Social Anxiety and Isolation. Both go hand in hand. Known as a mental disorder, Social Anxiety has its rotts in fear of social rejection and judgment of others. When dealing with social anxiety, we avoid any social situations that may provide embarrassment and perceived humiliation. Thus in turn, this leads to isolation and overall loneliness. Social Anxiety may lead to Panic Attacks as well. One of the ways to help combat Social Anxiety is therapy.
Today's episode of the Mental Health Mondays segment focuses on Self Care and Depression. Often, when battling with depression, neglecting ourselves becomes second nature. When we neglect ourselves, we often feel as if we are "too busy" or just "have a lot going on" to even stop and care for our overall well-being. In addition, we put others before ourselves. Self-Care in terms of dealing with depression, address the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being overall. Within the discussion, there are several key ideas and techniques used for self care.
Today's episode will focus on the negative thought patterns when battling depression. Self-Awareness is the first key to open all doors of not only understanding our depression, but being able to recognize certain patterns of negative thoughts. When we're at our lowest moments, there's this pre-recording of negative thoughts that plays in a constant loop. This pre-recording is telling us about all the things that's wrong with us, how everything we do is pointless, and you feel utterly hopeless. The inner self-critc is all an all-time high, thus leaving us in the spiral of constant hopelessness and despair. Today's topic will focus on spotting the negative self-talk as soon as it begins and ways to help combat it.
Today's topic of discussion will focus on the affects of social media on our mental health. According to studies and researh, it has been found that Facebook, one of the few social media platforms, has a negative effect or exacerbate our mental health issues. With that, the focus is lead to the "How's and What's". Another study shows that internet addiction has the same reward systems of the brain similar to heroin. Posting on social media releases the domapine chemical. Some of the mental health affects are that of self esteem, self-worth, validation, and intimacy. With the negative affects, there are advantages and positives. Some being genuine connections with others, maintaing close relationships, and a form of a support system.
In today's episode, the topic will be focused on Triggers and Self-Awareness on the Mental Health Mondays segment. At some point in our lives, we all have our triggers. The things that "set us off." With mental health, triggers create an emotional and mental uncomfortableness that some of us may not be ready to face. Triggers are a mere normal reaction. Many of us are not aware of our own triggers, thus causing the same repetitive negative reactions and outcomes; It is like starting the cycle of patterns all over again. Triggers can lead to negative self-talk, discouragement, anger, anxiety, panic, and a road to despair. When discussing self-awareness, it is importance to acknowlege the benefits of being self-aware when it comes to our mental health. When to use healthy coping skills to cure those patterns that cause self-harm.Self-Awareness within mental health has its benefits as well.
Today's episode of the Mental Health Monday's segment focuses on Existentialism and Depression (Finding Your Root). It follows up from last week's segment of finding your roots where we delve into some of the root causes of depression such as: biological, situational, intrapersonal, and existentialism. Today, existentialism will be the primary focus as the discussion gears towards finding our "purpose" and "connecting with our soul" and tying it into our depression.
In today's topic of discussion from the Mental Health Monday's segment will be on the root causes of depression. Depression is one of the leadeing causes of suicide. Through the darkness, despair and hopelessness is an underlying root that remain to be addressed. The root causes can stem from abuse, medications, death or loss, genetics (Biological), serious illness, or just simply having unrealistic expectations. Although the root cause can be a myriad of reasons, however, these are some of the more common factors.
In today's episode, the topic of discussion is centered on seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a specific type of depression primarily occurring during the fall and winter months. Living in colder climates or regions with less sunlight and darker days, leaves many individuals more susceptible to suffer from seasonal depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder maintains the same mood changes and symptoms with that of major depression. In fact, it is not a stand alone disorder. One must meet the criteria for depression in order to be diagnosed with seasonal depression disorder. What are the risk factors? What are some of the causes? What are some of the treatments?
In today's episode within the Generation of Silence segment, the focus will be on the predators and abusers. More often than not, the alarming statistics show that family members and aqcuanitances account for majority of the sexual assaults among black households. This means uncles, cousins, fathers, brothers, family friends, pastors and other church members. Within this segment I will highlight the history of generational silence with slavery, the mask of strength among black girls and black women, and some of the reasons why the child fears speaking out.
Today's episode will focus on the importance of having social support systems when it comes to our overall mental health. What are social support systems? Why are they vital to our overall mental health? Within this discussion, the topic of the four types of support systems will be discussed, having a support system in the context of our mental health, and importance of having one. Lastly, the topic will focus on the expectations we have when it comes to our support systems.
Today's episode with focus on the more common mental illnesses among veterans: depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In this discussion, we will focus on "what is mental health", "what is mental illness", and discuss the symptoms of depression and PTSD. Secondly, the topic of mental health and your military career becomes another focal point as many active duty members are hesitant with seeking help due to a myriad of concerns. Lastly, the discussion on stigmas and current military policy becomes the focused; followed by important contact information to seek help.
Today's episode will focus on the taboo topic of child sexual abuse in black families. Within the episode, the roots of generational silence will be addressed. The stigmas that come along when faced with such trauma often times prevent many of children, as well as adults from speaking out.Often, the abusers are rarely held accountable for their actions, increasing the likelyhood for the abuse to continue. Lastly, the discussion of the individual and generational affects of this trauma and stigmas of seeking counseling and therapy among black families.