If Zack Greinke makes history, it won't be his greatest victory.

For those of you who are major league baseball fans you probably know that Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is streaking toward baseball immortality. If Greinke goes another two games without giving up a run he will surpass Hall of Fame pitcher, Orel Hershiser for the most innings in baseball history without giving up an earned run. This is considered one of the most difficult baseball records to break.  Wow!

You're probably asking, What does Greinke's streak have to do with mental health?

The answer goes back nearly ten years to his second year in the majors. Then with the Kansas City Royals, he lost a whopping 18 games. His poor performance had baseball analysts puzzled. Greinke was one of the most highly touted pitching prospects in some time. Then in 2006, he disappeared from professional baseball for the entire season.  

The explanation? 

Greinke was battling social anxiety disorder (SAD) and depression. His symptoms had gotten so bad that he simply couldn't deal with the high stress of being a major league pitcher. He considered quitting baseball.  Fortunately, he sought treatment and medication and was back in the major leagues the next year. In 2009, Greinke won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in baseball. Now, he's chasing baseball immortality. 

Still, Zack Greinke could have very well been out of baseball forever if he hadn't had the humility and courage to seek treatment for his mental health issues. Although he doesn't discuss his mental health issues much anymore, his openness back in 2009 to discuss and deal with his mental illness is worthy of praise and recognition. So, if he breaks the scoreless inning record or not, Zack Greinke is already a legend in the eyes of Mentalhealthjustice.net.

No stigma. No judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores. 

 

Puff away the depression? Probably not.

We're all aware of the dangers of tobacco to our health–circulatory problems, high blood pressure, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and of course cancer among others. However, when you're depressed all that risk seems minimal as opposed to the relaxation that comes with having a smoke. Right?

Not so fast, a new study from the University of Otago in New Zealand suggests the exact opposite–smoking tobacco significantly increases the risk of severe depression. It all has to do with how nicotine affects your brain's neurotransmitters. The study was extensive and is creating quite a buzz in mental health circles.

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores 

If you're depressed, try serving others.

I have found that one of the best aids for depression is an act of kindness. 

First, some facts about me: 

1.     I suffer from clinical depression. 

2.     I volunteer at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Step Ministry Program.

3.     I'm a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

I love volunteering. The St. Francis of Assisi Parish shelter is a welcoming and safe place. However, because of my depression, I've sometimes struggled to show up. Last week, I was determined and I made it to the shelter and something special happened. 

When I opened the door to let everyone in for the evening, Henry, one of the constituents I have befriended walked in with a special gift for me–an awesome Los Angeles Dodgers cap.  With a big smile on his face he told me, "This is for you, I know what a big Dodgers fan you are, so I bought it for you. I carried it with me every day for the last week waiting for you to return."

Wow! 

I am crying as I write this post even more than I did when Henry handed me my new Dodgers cap. Henry's smile and kindness interrupted my struggles with a heaping dose of grace.

At mentalhealthjustice.net, we encourage everyone to share their stories. Please share an act of kindness that touched your heart. I know it will touch others.

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores

 

 

 

Do not let the kids clean the litter box!

According to a new medical study the stereotype of the zany cat lady hording cats and living like a recluse may actually have a scientific relationship. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that exposure to the parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has a causal relationship to schizophrenia and severe depression. 

However, it seems it's not seniors that are most at risk but rather young people. The study showed that youngsters who were exposed to cats (and their litter boxes) are twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life.

So does this mean that it's time to get rid of our cute and cuddly cats? Well no. However, there are some critical precautions.

  1. Never allow your children around the cat litter box.
  2. Be diligent about keeping your litter box clean.
  3. Never dispose of your cat litter by burying the waste.
  4. Finally, do not feed nor adopt stray or feral cats. Cases of T. gondii infection are significantly higher among feral cats.

My family had cats as pets. I was often responsible for cleaning the litter box. I wonder if my struggles with Severe Depression are related.

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores 

 

Being famous doesn't mean you're not depressed.

Mentalhealthjustice.net honors Jared Padalecki for sharing his story.

Many times we see celebrities as more than human. And worse, we often think in this supposed superhuman capacity that they don't have the same problems as everyday people. Then we are humbled and shocked by tragic suicide of Robin Williams–rich, famous, hilarious–desperately and tragically depressed. We are left wondering the very human question, "If events would have unfolded differently if ONLY?" But celebrities are subject to same stigma and judgment as everyone else. 

That's why when a celebrity speaks out about their struggles with depression, we should take acknowledge their bravery. Recently, actor Jared Padalecki of the TV series "Supernatural" revealed that he too suffers from depression and that his close friend recently committed suicide.

Mentalhealthjustice.net honors Mr. Padalecki for his courage. Please take time to listen to his very powerful statement concerning his friend's suicide. 

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores 

Some nuggets of mental health wisdom

“Mental illness isn’t something anyone quite “figures out,” but throughout the years I’ve picked up some “wisdom” on the subject.”
— Jillian Capwell

This is a nice article with six nuggets of wisdom for women who are, or curious about, those suffering from clinical depression. Do you think she missed anything? I would add, "I am as strong and competent as ever. And YES you can still lean on me when you need to."

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores 

Is solving addiction really about making better communities?

I am big fan of the journalist Johann Hari, of TED talks and of Leo Tolstoy.

This is my second post about Hari's very interesting supposition that the real solution for drug and alcohol addiction lies not in the extremes. In other words, it is too simplistic to say that the cause of addiction derives from a weakness of character and equally as simplistic to assume that addiction is simply an issue of brain chemistry that can be cured by taking drugs (just not the ones, in which, you're addicted.)

“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth.”

”
— Leo Tolstoy

Hari's argues that the real cure to addiction may be something all together different–placing the addicted in an environment of love, respect and acceptance. Sounds simple? Decide for yourself and ponder whether Hari's arguments apply to other areas of mental health. One thing is certain Hari's TED talk segment that we have posted below is well worth a few minutes to watch. 

One of our core goals at Mentalhealthjustice.net is to have an open dialogue about the many issues related to mental health including addiction. We encourage everyone to reply, with your opinions, to the articles or BLOGS we post. We also welcome you sharing your own information about mental health issues whether they are from a source or a personal account and then posting them to our Facebook Page.

Mental Health Justice. No stigma. No Judgment. Everyone is welcome.

Dolores 

Let tragedy lead to positive change

This article "The nightmare outcome of a son's mental illness" was published in the Los Angeles Times earlier this year. The article skillfully details the tragic outcome of the Hernandez family's battle to provide appropriate mental health services for their son, Aaron. The article is painful to read and the accompanying video painful to watch. What exacerbates that pain is the terrible state of affairs of California's mental health system. The system is terribly fragmented and many California counties fail to meet even basic mental health care needs. Our mission at mentalhealthjustice.net is to be a friendly place where individuals and their families can receive acceptance, insight and the information to help them deal with the challenges of mental health illness. We will also proactively promote forward-thinking mental health public policies and hold our elected officials and appointed bureaucrats accountable. This is a tough read but well worth the effort. 

;;;;;When a semicolon is more than a semicolon;;;;;

Have you ever seen one of these semicolon tattoos? Do you think it's merely a punctuation mark? Hardly! Check out the profound meaning behind it. This effort to bring awareness to mental health issues is called Project Semicolon. It's a faith-based program aimed at starting a dialogue of love and understanding among those affected by mental illness. 

Would you consider getting a semicolon tattoo to help end the stigma and start a constructive dialogue? I'm thinking about it.

Toward, mental health justice!

Dolores #mentalhealthjustice 

P.S. Please take some time to watch to Maci's story. It's powerful. 




Kids are people too and they too have mental health issues

This is a compelling story printed in the New York Times several years back called "Troubled Children."  The story visits the challenges of the Abaspour family in dealing with their daughter, Haley's, complex mix of mental illness disorders. The reason, I believe  it's important to revisit this story now is that it powerfully illustrates how little has been done to effectuate public policy reforms dealing with mental health and children. I also find it fascinating that through the experience, her father came to the realization that for years he too had suffered from anxiety disorder. How often have we heard that story?

We so much need an honest and open dialogue as we work toward ways to accept and heal from mental health illness. We also need a sense of urgency from our elected officials in crafting, passing and implementing pro-active mental health policies. 

Moving forward, toward mental health justice! 

Dolores #mentalhealthjustice