It's All In Your Head

mentalillnessmouse:

[a rebloggable post of past advice from followers] 

______________________________

On the computer 

- F. lux  creates a lovely warm glow between sundown and sunup that is supposed to not mess with your sleep cycle the way a normal screen will.

- Listen to calming music 

- Rainymood.com  or  SimplyNoise.com [just a note for rainymood the background is a looped video of rain on a window so warning in case you get dizzy from mild flashing lights or movement]

- SOUNDsculptures is a YouTube channel of a person doing various things with their hands that create soothing sounds like writing on parchment or unwrapping things and nothing else. If you add “repeat” to the beginning of the url you can loop the video as long as you need!

- watch tv shows or listen to podcasts that are non-triggering. Simply hearing a familiar voice or seeing familiar faces can help

- chat/skype with a friend. Talk about what is on your mind.

_______________________________

In your room

- put a nightlight in your room or leave a lamp on

- build yourself a nest of pillows, blankets, and/or stuffed animals

______________________________

Herbs/Drinks

- Melatonin, a sleep supplement, is available for purchase in most health food and drug stores without a prescription

- sedative herbs like valerian root (can be found in teas but is also available in “herbal supplements”)

- Celestial Seasonings teas makes a “sleepytime” tea which is great if you need to relax or go to sleep

_____________________________

Misc.

- Make a list of what is worrying you and place it somewhere so you will find it the following morning

- take a warm bath or shower and scrub yourself clean

- get a little food in your stomach

- tell yourself an affirmation and visualize something to go along with it. [for example, saying over and over in your mind: “Nothing can harm me while I am sewing this bundle.” and imagine you are sewing a giant pink floofy pillow]

- count backwards from 1000 by 7s

- Progressive tension/relaxation [progressive muscle relaxation]

__________________________________

feel free to leave a message in our ask box and we will update the list :]

(via mentalillnessmouse)

mentalillnessmouse:

In the case that you need medication and cannot afford it, check out needymeds and the medicine program which offer free or really discounted meds for people who need them. Also, check out this post.

For therapy, look around your area for group sessions, which tend to cost less than one-on-one sessions with a therapist/counsellor. 

Use psychology today or therapist-finder to find therapists in your area and ask them about their rates. There are some therapists [especially those who are doing well financially] that will offer “sliding rates” where they will accept cash payments on a scale that depends on your current financial situation. Not all therapists or counselling providers offer this though so check around and call local crisis centers or your insurance provider [if you have one]

If you do not have issue with going to a church or religious institution for counselling/therapy…. your church or synagogue [or other institution] could put you in touch with a pastoral counselling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information check out the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Another thing to try are community health or community mental health centers. Like the above-mentioned places, fees are on a sliding scale based on income.

Try to connect with groups like mentalhealthamerica, which provide services and resources at a low cost. They also help people navigate the health system and problem solve. 

Also keep in mind that at large research universities, they often have counselling available for students and others at low costs or, again, on sliding scales.

Check out a women’s shelter or crisis center in your area for additional specific resources and information on free support or self help groups. These shelters and centers should also have information on people of low income or in bad financial situation.

Stay strong you all!

There is help and hope out there. And there are always free online support groups [and our ask box is always open]

be kind to yourselves <3 and don’t hesitate to ask for help! you’re all worth it ~

-safet 

Here are also some USA based resources I have found:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency responsible for administering Medicare, Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance (SCHIP) and several other programs that help people pay for health care.
• Healthcare Services Locator The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a Health Center Database for a nationwide directory of clinics to obtain low or no-cost healthcare.
• The Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.
• Benefits for People with Disabilities The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.

mentalillnessmouse:

[a rebloggable post of past advice from followers] 

______________________________

On the computer 

- F. lux  creates a lovely warm glow between sundown and sunup that is supposed to not mess with your sleep cycle the way a normal screen will.

- Listen to calming music 

- Rainymood.com  or  SimplyNoise.com [just a note for rainymood the background is a looped video of rain on a window so warning in case you get dizzy from mild flashing lights or movement]

- SOUNDsculptures is a YouTube channel of a person doing various things with their hands that create soothing sounds like writing on parchment or unwrapping things and nothing else. If you add “repeat” to the beginning of the url you can loop the video as long as you need!

- watch tv shows or listen to podcasts that are non-triggering. Simply hearing a familiar voice or seeing familiar faces can help

- chat/skype with a friend. Talk about what is on your mind.

_______________________________

In your room

- put a nightlight in your room or leave a lamp on

- build yourself a nest of pillows, blankets, and/or stuffed animals

______________________________

Herbs/Drinks

- Melatonin, a sleep supplement, is available for purchase in most health food and drug stores without a prescription

- sedative herbs like valerian root (can be found in teas but is also available in “herbal supplements”)

- Celestial Seasonings teas makes a “sleepytime” tea which is great if you need to relax or go to sleep

_____________________________

Misc.

- Make a list of what is worrying you and place it somewhere so you will find it the following morning

- take a warm bath or shower and scrub yourself clean

- get a little food in your stomach

- tell yourself an affirmation and visualize something to go along with it. [for example, saying over and over in your mind: “Nothing can harm me while I am sewing this bundle.” and imagine you are sewing a giant pink floofy pillow]

- count backwards from 1000 by 7s

- Progressive tension/relaxation [progressive muscle relaxation]

__________________________________

feel free to leave a message in our ask box and we will update the list :]

mentalillnessmouse:

In the case that you need medication and cannot afford it, check out needymeds and the medicine program which offer free or really discounted meds for people who need them. Also, check out this post.

For therapy, look around your area for group sessions, which tend to cost less than one-on-one sessions with a therapist/counsellor. 

Use psychology today or therapist-finder to find therapists in your area and ask them about their rates. There are some therapists [especially those who are doing well financially] that will offer “sliding rates” where they will accept cash payments on a scale that depends on your current financial situation. Not all therapists or counselling providers offer this though so check around and call local crisis centers or your insurance provider [if you have one]

If you do not have issue with going to a church or religious institution for counselling/therapy…. your church or synagogue [or other institution] could put you in touch with a pastoral counselling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information check out the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Another thing to try are community health or community mental health centers. Like the above-mentioned places, fees are on a sliding scale based on income.

Try to connect with groups like mentalhealthamerica, which provide services and resources at a low cost. They also help people navigate the health system and problem solve. 

Also keep in mind that at large research universities, they often have counselling available for students and others at low costs or, again, on sliding scales.

Check out a women’s shelter or crisis center in your area for additional specific resources and information on free support or self help groups. These shelters and centers should also have information on people of low income or in bad financial situation.

Stay strong you all!

There is help and hope out there. And there are always free online support groups [and our ask box is always open]

be kind to yourselves <3 and don’t hesitate to ask for help! you’re all worth it ~

-safet 

Here are also some USA based resources I have found:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency responsible for administering Medicare, Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance (SCHIP) and several other programs that help people pay for health care.
• Healthcare Services Locator The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a Health Center Database for a nationwide directory of clinics to obtain low or no-cost healthcare.
• The Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.
• Benefits for People with Disabilities The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.

mentalillnessmouse:

[a rebloggable post of past advice from followers] 

______________________________

On the computer 

- F. lux  creates a lovely warm glow between sundown and sunup that is supposed to not mess with your sleep cycle the way a normal screen will.

- Listen to calming music 

- Rainymood.com  or  SimplyNoise.com [just a note for rainymood the background is a looped video of rain on a window so warning in case you get dizzy from mild flashing lights or movement]

- watch tv shows or listen to podcasts that are non-triggering. Simply hearing a familiar voice or seeing familiar faces can help

- chat/skype with a friend. Talk about what is on your mind.

_______________________________

In your room

- put a nightlight in your room or leave a lamp on

- build yourself a nest of pillows, blankets, and/or stuffed animals

______________________________

Herbs/Drinks

- Melatonin, a sleep supplement, is available for purchase in most health food and drug stores without a prescription

- sedative herbs like valerian root (can be found in teas but is also available in “herbal supplements”)

- Celestial Seasonings teas makes a “sleepytime” tea which is great if you need to relax or go to sleep

_____________________________

Misc.

- Make a list of what is worrying you and place it somewhere so you will find it the following morning

- take a warm bath or shower and scrub yourself clean

- get a little food in your stomach

- count backwards from 1000 by 7s

- Progressive tension/relaxation [progressive muscle relaxation]

__________________________________

feel free to leave a message in our ask box and we will update the list :]

In the case that you need medication and cannot afford it, check out needymeds and the medicine program which offer free or really discounted meds for people who need them. Also, check out this post.

For therapy, look around your area for group sessions, which tend to cost less than one-on-one sessions with a therapist/counsellor. 

Use psychology today or therapist-finder to find therapists in your area and ask them about their rates. There are some therapists [especially those who are doing well financially] that will offer “sliding rates” where they will accept cash payments on a scale that depends on your current financial situation. Not all therapists or counselling providers offer this though so check around and call local crisis centers or your insurance provider [if you have one]

If you do not have issue with going to a church or religious institution for counselling/therapy…. your church or synagogue [or other institution] could put you in touch with a pastoral counselling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee. For more information check out the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Another thing to try are community health or community mental health centers. Like the above-mentioned places, fees are on a sliding scale based on income.

Try to connect with groups like mentalhealthamerica, which provide services and resources at a low cost. They also help people navigate the health system and problem solve. 

Also keep in mind that at large research universities, they often have counselling available for students and others at low costs or, again, on sliding scales.

Check out a women’s shelter or crisis center in your area for additional specific resources and information on free support or self help groups. These shelters and centers should also have information on people of low income or in bad financial situation.

Stay strong you all!

There is help and hope out there. And there are always free online support groups [and our ask box is always open]

be kind to yourselves <3 and don’t hesitate to ask for help! you’re all worth it ~

-safet 

Here are also some USA based resources I have found:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a federal agency responsible for administering Medicare, Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance (SCHIP) and several other programs that help people pay for health care.
• Healthcare Services Locator The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a Health Center Database for a nationwide directory of clinics to obtain low or no-cost healthcare.
• The Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.
• Benefits for People with Disabilities The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.