This page is one of our publicly available resources addressing mental and emotional wellness. To see a list of the other public pages related to mental and emotional wellness, mouse over the Mental and Emotional Wellness tab at the top right.
Originally sent by email to a small group of individuals, Jessie agreed to let this be posted so “this information, which I have worked so hard to discover, over time, might … be available to the people who need it …” I had to sit on this a while before I figured out what I could add that was helpful. I realized that for me, a psychiatrist is pretty much just someone with the right set of initials after their name. To me, it’s much more important to investigate the office setup, workflow, and resources than to pick someone with whom you have terrific rapport. Things to consider: Are they covered by your insurance? What is the standard turnaround for medication refill requests? How many days a week are they in their office to take calls, and what type of availability do they have for follow-up appointments? Do they have any support staff? How responsive will they be to an urgent request for paperwork or records? Is there someone in the office who knows how to use a fax machine? How long will it take them to coordinate a prior authorization request with your insurance company if the new year turns over and one of your expensive, tier 4 psych meds is now not covered for a stupid reason, you only have 1 day of medication left, and the med has a terrible associated discontinuation syndrome? Do you expect to be receiving any controlled substances? If so, will you be requiredRead more
This page is one of our publicly available resources addressing mental and emotional wellness. To see a list of the other public pages related to mental and emotional wellness, mouse over the Mental and Emotional Wellness tab at the top right. “Hey all! When I spoke [at the April RA] mental health panel I mentioned I’d made a handout for supporting folks who are dealing with PTSD. Here it is! – Kai” Strategies for the survivor Ground – get yourself back in the present Deep breathing (breathing into the abdomen for a count of 5, holding the breath for a count of 1, exhaling for a count of 10) Detailed visualization of something that makes you happy (your dog, your grandma, a beautiful island, your birthday cake from 3rd grade – whatever works) More techniques here! Learn how to ask for support from friends or family Use online/hotline resources – these are free, anonymous, and available 24/7 Consider seeking therapy with someone who specializes in trauma Strategies for the survivor’s partner Make sure you have people you can go to for support when your partner is triggered (it’s good to clear this with your partner beforehand so they do not feel their privacy has been violated) Use online/hotline resources – they’re for friends and family too, not just for survivors! Things to do when someone is triggered Ask the person what they need – space, touch, some tea, maybe a nice cat video…? Have this discussion at a neutral time – i.e., before the person isRead more
If you or someone you love is considering suicide: Despite what we’re told by our culture, considering suicide is far more common than generally recognized or admitted. In many ways, suicidal thoughts are your mind’s way of telling you that something in your life has reached an intolerable point. One of the ways that our community tries to support those of us who consider suicide is by compassionately accepting them where they’re at, and by opening space safe enough for them to share about what’s causing intolerable pain. If you or someone you love is considering suicide, contacting a suicide hotline can also be an invaluable resource. These hotlines have trained professionals who can talk, listen, share resources, and help with safety planning. Because calls are anonymous, no direct intervention is possible, allowing callers to protect their privacy, retain their autonomy, and still receive help. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Seattle 24-hour Crisis Line: 206-461-3222 / 1-866-427-4747 Public pages relating to mental and emotional wellness on this site: 10 Ways to Support Someone with Depression 10 More Ways to Support Someone with Depression PTSD: How to Support Your Partner (and Yourself!) Jessie’s thoughts on seeking treatment for mental health Everything is Awful and I’m Not Okay – questions to ask before giving up