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Why #endthestigma is not enough for mental health

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Thing of the Day

Have you ever had a shiver or suddenly pain just shoots from your body out of nowhere.
Well that is what an impulse is. It is not something you can chose to have or not.



Disclaimer: I use the word impulse other might use a different word. It is a thought out of nowhere that effect you and could cause you to do something without thinking of the consequences.

Thing of The Day

Realize that when you turn in a piece of artwork. or are doing art a lot of the things that you think look bad others don't even notice

Thing of The Day

Sometimes it is not the result that matters the most. It is the effort, the hard work, the improvement and not giving up when you would have before.

Thing of the Day: 5 Mental health things to remember

Hi everybody I hope you are enjoying your Thursday.
I have been thinking of some stuff and I thought others might be thinking it too to get some tips.
I am not saying it is this easy or that it will apply to everybody. Anyway here are some things to remember

• Control vs no-control: So what I mean is there are some things you can't control and there are some things you can. I mean more for your health in your body not as much the outside world. A panic attack is one example that first wave you can't control but the second wave well it is at least possible to control. 
• Words are so important: So first of all tone in general but also the words you use can decide to use is so important. Example: You get sick and can't go to the movies. One way to say it is I am messed up or this happens to me all the time or it is my fault. The other way to say it is that I am taking care of myself. This is so hard and I am not saying that it is easy or that I do it all the time.
• Don't assume: Don't assume it is your fault. Don't assume that they will be upset. Just understand that sometimes things happen but also being honest while hard is helpful because things won't build up.
• Don't tell your friends everything: If you tell people everything that is basically saying I need you to validate me. One of my favorite feelings is when I know I am doing something really good and nobody realizes it. 
• Lastly, some things happen not because of your mental health: Always remember you are human. A lot of these things happen to lots of people. Maybe not as often or not to the extreme but remember that lots of people go through or have struggles. 

Thank you Stan Wawrinka

First I am not saying it is good that he had a panic attack. For those of you who don't know Stan Wawrinka had a panic attack before the US Open final. I only have two words as a response (obviously it is more)
Thank you
Thank you for being honest. Thank you for reminding us that athletes are just people and not super human robots. Thank you for inspiring males and showing males that they can come up and tell the truth and how they feel.
You have gained at least one fan today

There are solutions to things sometimes

So if you are shaky don't think that you can't do something it is just another thing

Thing of The Day: This might be the most important thing of the day I have done

I don't usually talk about politics but I have been pushed to the limit.
Okay so look I understand there is a stigma towards mental health. There are a lot of good sources to hear it from. But please DO NOT LISTEN TO DONALD TRUMP'S OPINION ON MENTAL HEALTH. They are insulting, cruel and downright stupid.

Some Art Ideas that are great for self care

Okay so first everyone knows about mandalas. I am not going to talk about them. Remember these are just my thoughts if you get emotional about this and say I think everything Daniel says is wrong and that helps you that's great! I want to make an impact and make people think. Okay here are my thoughts and ideas also some ways to get art supplies

• First lots of people use art as a skill: Okay so they might not call it a coping skill but that doesn't mean that they don't use it. Don't think you are not normal. Anyone who likes to do art, there is a good chance where they are stressed that is what they will do. 
• Materials don't have to be super expensive: I did an article on this a long time ago but there are a few more thoughts: First, don't start by purchasing that most expensive stuff because especially if you don't know what art you like and you don't like what you purchase then you have a big pile of stuff. There are some basic ways to save: Canvas panels over cavas, cardboard over portfolio, etc. As for where to buy it? Michaels always has coupons and if you have amazon prime and you are going to order a big item use amazon because shipping is so expensive. 
• Art will never replace skills: If you use art as avoidance it might temporarily work but you will have to face those fears. However...
• Art can be used to validate feelings sometimes: So don't use art and be angry and then when you are done you are angrier than you started. My example of how to do it? Jose Fernandez. When he passed away on Sunday I was shocked drawing him was my way of validating my feelings that I was sad.
• Materials you might want: So while there are lots of different types of art but here a a few supplies that would help along with methods. These are not the really basic things

1. Tracing paper: This is nice to have if you want to make something and can't draw it free hand
2. Watercolor pencils: It is so not messy and it adds time for people who want to draw fast
3. Mixed media book: If you want a book that you can draw and paint (maybe not watercolor) this is the book 
4. Watercolor book: This is great but any thick paper will work 

Okay here are some other things

• Use your style and don't overthink or judge: Don't think what other people will think or what to draw just draw it it is why sketchbooks are made and remember it doesn't have to be perfect. Also, if you like to go fast go fast don't try to draw in every detail. However as someone who goes fast...
• Doing long projects have a longer effect (kind of obvious): But there are ways to encounter that: Draw color and paint. Use big paper. Do more than one project at once. Or get a bunch of projects prepped and then do them all at once. Oh, and another one do a long project but do something that uses quick lines (the best example I can think of is fur)
• Tutorials can be really helpful: When you are stressed sometimes you need to be focused and with a tutorial you are that because you are being told what to do.
• Draw cartoons, caricatures, chibi: So drawing these types of things they don't have to be as exact or perfect and honestly they are fun.
• Drawing in your own style as a coping skill is great. Finding it as a coping skill? ehh: So I think drawing your own style is a great coping skill because it is easy to self validate. But don't try to find it when you are stressed because it is not easy. Also realize using something that someone else uses that doesn't mean it is not yours.
• Draw what is in your mind: A lot of the time I just draw random shapes and see where it goes. Some of it look not perfect but it also distracts me. Also sometimes especially when you are not doing a specific think drawing music helps because it kind of gives you a mood or a thought. 
• Use lots of things: For example I saw black canvases I saw them so I tried them. If you don't like it don't waste it just find a creative was to use it.
• Don't get stressed over setting up: One of the reasons I love watercolor pencils is all you need is a cup of water. It is why a lot of this is about drawing. However for some people setting up and cleaning up is relaxing.
• If you asked me I have money for one artist item (meaning more expensive) and I use art as a skill what would it be?: A mixing tool. For me that is colored pencils for some people that is paint but the thing where you can really get the colors you want and it takes more time. Also, watercolor pencils are cool.
• Lastly, have fun with it: Be yourself, don't judge, don't worry about it and realize that like with any skill the feelings will try to creep in. Acknowledge them and keep going and realize that is why one of my labels for this article is easier said than done. 

Also for people that use football as a skill I just want to tell you that there is a game in London tomorrow that starts at 9:30

Emotional Self Care Options

So I saw this picture on the PDAN page on facebook and ti made me think of a few ideas I have done to help out others

So some of these things are great. #8 I will be talking about in another article today. But here are some other ideas

• Writing in a journal (#7) is great but be really careful it shouldn't be a rant. Also you can use your journal as validation. 
• Sometimes friends aren't available and you can't ask for positive feedback. .So be prepared making a list saying you are and writing all the things your friends have said about you so you don't have to rely on them. Also a lot of friends really like it when you validate yourself so as another option write I am.
• If you can't self validate by saying I love you try saying I am loved instead.
• Write a list of things that you have done that make progress especially if you live in a place  where those things aren't validated.

Thing of the Day: Money doesn't equal emotional support

Hi everybody this is for any parent or friend or family member who has someone with mental illness.
You can pay for every appointment, give every gift and brag about how much you help with money. That doesn't mean that you are being that helpful. It will NEVER EVER replace emotional support that people so desperately need.

I just thought of something

So I have this friend who he can literally remember the lyrics to like every song. I can't but I can remember the sounds I can remember the backup singer and how they sound.
I wonder if that has to do with mental health. For some people with PTSD and other things they can hear everything they can't just focus on one thing. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Thing of The Day

Was honored to have one of my drawings (my best ever maybe) posted by Pdan arts. Personality disorder awareness network uses facebook to post a lot of important mental health things. There art page is looking for art so if you have any art, specifically mental health related or any poems or writing it doesn't just have to be drawing I think even songs send them a message with it.

Thing of the day

Canvas journals/sketchbooks are so cool. You can design your own covers

Thing of the day

Sometimes you might be not as good as others at something. But if you are doing everything to the best of your capabilities you have every right to hold your head high

My thoughts on World Suicide Prevention Day 2016

So I thought about whether I should write about  World Suicide Prevention Day. I have been through a lot but I also I don't know exactly how to say it.
It is still another day. It is great that there is a day for awareness but it is still one day.
For people going through hard times: Realize that this day is great but it doesn't mean that people don't care about on other days. Don't go to up (to me it is better to be balanced) and don't go too down.  Understand that people don't always know how to slow down or how to help sometimes they are having more issues than you think. Sometimes it is just hard.
Second, I hope that there are more treatment centers and facilities to help out people. It should not be punishment to be in one of these places. Like I know it won't be a country club with free food, a game room and shuffleboard, but it needs to be a place of positivity.
For people that have friends or families of people suffering: First, for Americans, did you know in some countries if you ask how are you? then you are expected to have a conversation with them. I am not saying that can happen every time but don't just hear good and assume that it is good.
Realize that doctors can be a big help. Also, realize that if you refer a person they might be upset. Also realize the first one might not be the best. Also, realize that if a person gets medicines it doesn't just start right away. It takes awhile to get into the system
Lastly, remember that the smallest thing can make the biggest difference.
So what is my point of this? Celebrate this day but realize it is another day. Getting through any day is a huge achievement whether people around you say it or not.

Thing of the Day Early

Okay so this thing of the day is for tomorrow. If you are one of those people that can get impulse ideas take them. If you are having a bad day or a tough day and you get one of those ideas or good feelings don't go well that's great but I am having a bad day.  Just go with it.

Thing of The Day: To all friends

To anyone who is a friend, especially to someone who has mental health stuff but really anybody,
It is great to be there and stuff and being a good friend. But when someone has gone through stuff to know that you have their back that is like one of the greatest feelings in the world.