Silence is the absence of noise, as peace is just the absence of war. Silence defined me for so long. It was a strategy and a symptom all rolled into one.
I do not want to be silent any more. I want to say all those things I could not in my youth.
The SANE Blog
How many times have you heard someone say that a lottery win would make them happy?
How many times have you thought this yourself?
Lottery winners have actually been the subject of research studies. What we know from this research is their happiness is only boosted for about six months. After that first rush of euphoric spending they return to their previous levels of happiness. So if they were unhappy before winning, they’re likely to be wealthier, but not happier, people.
We get many calls to the SANE Helpline from people who are looking after a loved one with a mental illness.
It is estimated that carers of someone with a mental illness spend an average of 104 hours per week in the caring role. This can make being a carer a very demanding responsibility, and getting some outside support can make a big difference.
It is important for you to take care of yourself, as it is quite common for carers to put their own needs aside.
It is a sobering fact that suicide is one of the most common causes of premature death among people with mental illness.
Loss caused by the suicide of a loved one with mental illness has a profound effect on families and friends. The bereaved often have to deal with a range of complex emotions including confusion, despair and anger both at themselves and at mental health services.
When people think of recovery from an episode of illness – whether physical or mental – they often think solely in terms of hospitals, doctors and nurses.
Clinical care is essential of course, but it’s not the whole story, as David, explains . . .
Last year I had the privilege of interviewing 31 people who had attempted suicide.
We talked about a range of issues, including the triggers that led them to feeling suicidal, support received (both helpful and unhelpful), the challenge of talking with others about their experience, and the progress they had made developing coping skills.
These interviews were the basis of Lessons for Life, a research report that highlights what helps and hinders people who attempt suicide. Throughout the process participants shared their invaluable insights into areas of critical importance, these included . . .
Every year, on 31 May we mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks of smoking, and supporting policies to save lives by reducing the smoking rate.
A smoker’s belief about the perceived benefits of smoking will have an affect on their quit attempts. If you are worried your mental health will suffer when you quit smoking, read on, because I’m going to debunk two commonly-held myths.
Sleeping . . . it’s simple right? You get out of bed in the morning, stay active for around 16 hours, then go back to bed and fall asleep. Simple.
If a child has problems sleeping we tell them to count sheep, offer a glass of warm milk, or set their room to a mild temperature. These techniques can help to calm their mind and allow sleep to come more naturally.
Did you know that Australia has one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the world at around 61% of households?
Dogs and cats are the most popular, with 40% of pet owning households including a dog and 27% having a cat. And then there are horses, guinea pigs, fish, birds . . .
The grief people experience due to mental illness and death by suicide raises very complex topics. Many participants in the SANE Mental Illness and Bereavement workshop are particularly interested in new ways of thinking – or ‘models’ – of grief, and challenging the old assumption that people should simply ‘move on’.