Happy Stigma Free Halloween

Halloween is one of the oldest recorded observances.

The tradition started over two thousand years ago with The Celts, who believed that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred on October 31st. So, on that "Hallow's Eve" they built bonfires and wore ghostly costumes to drive the evil spirits away, and carried a potato or turnip candle lantern to intimidate the demons around them.

The National Alliance For Mental Illness reminds us that not only is it the season for ghosts and goblins, but also stigma. Costumes and seasonal attractions that feature psychos, mental patients, and insane asylums perpetuate stereotypes. Intended as fun, these violent stereotypes serve to perpetuate stigma -- which as reported by the U.S. Surgeon General is one of the greatest barriers to people getting help when they need it. It also is the source of prejudice and discrimination that leads to isolation and impedes progress toward recovery.

Hope your Halloween is stigma free.

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Quiz: What Side of the Brain Are You?

You Are the Right Side of the Brain

You are a naturally creative and imaginative person. You have the mind of an artist. You are inspired by the whole world around you, and you never hesitate to act on your inspirations. You are very spontaneous. You are a true multitakser. You are always scanning and processing the world around you while you get other things done. You see the big picture like no one else. You have spot on intuition and a good memory.

What Side of the Brain Are You?

Everything here is true for me, save the totally spontaneous line. I plan, plan, plan.

What about you?

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Empathy: Cognitive and Affective

Empathy is defined as the ability to perceive someone else's experience. Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, the cousin of actor Sasha, is an avid researcher on empathy and reports that for the most part, women demonstrate empathy to a greater degree than do men.

But did you know there are two kinds of empathy?

Cognitive empathy is the ability to perceive what another person is thinking. "She must be telling herself this was a mistake."

Affective empathy is the ability to sense what another person is emotionally experiencing. "She must be feeling upset about this mistake."

Of course, there's much more to the process of empathy. But should you want to stretch your ability to feel for another person try these tips:

1) Ask yourself what must this person be thinking? This will broaden your cognitive empathy.

2) Same goes for affective empathy - imagine what feelings and emotions might be stirring within another person.

3) If it's hard for you to "be in another person's shoes", ask yourself what YOU might be thinking or feeling if you were in a similar situation.

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Therapy "Service Dogs"

Psychiatric Service Dogs are amazing helpers and companions for children and adults with mental health issues. I love seeing service dogs when I'm out and about in the world. What kinds of tasks can Psychiatric Service Dogs be trained to do? Take a look:

♦ Remind handler to take medication on time

♦ Warm handler’s body during a panic attack

♦ Interrupt repetitive OCD behaviors

♦ Comfort handler during emotional distress

♦ Accompany handler outside of the home

♦ Interrupt dissociative episodes or flashbacks

♦ Protect and safeguard handler during seizure

♦ Provide a safe grounding presence

♦ Interrupt self-harming

Just remember, if you see a Psychiatric Service Dog, ask their handler if the dog is "working". Dogs can be petted and played with only when they're on a break!

For more on Psychiatric Service Dogs go here

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National Depression Screening Day: 10/7

National Depression Screening Day is today, October 7th. Each year, more than half a million children and adults are screened for depression with this campaign.

Depression affects more than 120 million people worldwide and is the one of the leading causes of disability across the globe.

To find a free, anonymous screening site in your area, link here. If you can't find a way to go in person, take an online screening at PsychCentral, Mental Health America or Screening for Mental Health.

It seems fitting that on National Depression Screening Day that I announce that I've been offered a book deal for my nonfiction depression book. I'm happy to report that "Living with Depression: Why Biology and Biology Matter Along the Path to Hope and Healing" will be published in 2011 by Rowman & Littlefield.

It's my hope that "Living with Depression" will help children and adults who experience depression, offer insight to those who love someone who has the illness, and become a resource to others who want to learn more about mood disorders.

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Mental Health Awareness Week

For the last 20 years, the first week in October has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Week. The campaign, which begins October 3rd and runs through the 9th, is focusing on the theme "Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives."

The truth is that negative stereotypes and improper understanding of mental illness keep many children and adults from getting the help they need.

If you or someone you love has a undiagnosed or untreated mental disorder, you can find local and national support in Australia , Canada and the USA

For me, every day is an awareness day. But I like how campaigns like this shine a light on mental health.

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