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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Not my son, but proud of him anyways.
- Thread starter maynard
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A “feel good” meme made for the internet. Anyone mowing down helpless people knows right from wrong in my book, attention or lack of.
Bas- If I overstepped the form rules then delete my post.
Bas- If I overstepped the form rules then delete my post.
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I think this "might" fall into the controversial topic category. I'm sure there are very strong opinions on all sides. I'll keep it here for now, as long as it remains civil.
I will just say that regardless of how we feel about any other aspects, I'm personally convinced that mental health (or lack thereof) plays a fairly large role in all this. What bothers me, having worked in NAMI for over 15 years, is that 99% of people with some type of mental health condition will never commit a violent act - but the public perception is that people with mental illness are largely, by definition, dangerous psychopaths. This is (again my opinion) due in large part to the fact that the only time mental illness is discussed in the media is when some horrible event occurs. Then, all the talking heads start painting people with a broad brush. This is why there is such a huge stigma surrounding mental illness and why too often people who may be experiencing symptoms don't seek help - they don't what to be stigmatized.
When I did my NAMI fund raiser recently, I had two showings of an Emmy-winning documentary about Mental Health as it relates to Children, Families and Communities. I offered the viewing, via Zoom, initially to members who donated (and thank you to those who did), and then I opened it up to any member whether they donated or not. I won't lie - I was disappointed that not one forum member joined the Zoom to view this very enlightening documentary.
I do also know that too many kids these days, for a lot of reasons, seem to be dealing with an increased incidence of mental health issues. This isn't just an off hand opinion, this is a fact. The COVID lockdowns certainly didn't help in this regard - Suicide rates among kids increased (I've several friends who lost their children to suicide recently). That's why NAMI has a program called "Ending the Silence" which is a presentation we do in schools. It includes a young person who has dealt with a mental health issue (but is in recovery) and an adult (either someone with MI or a family member). The presentation educates kids about mental illness, dispels a lot of myths, and helps them understand what to do if they suspect a classmate or friend may be contemplating suicide.
By the way, due in large part to the members here, we raised over $13,000 for NAMI this year!
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YakkoWarner
Jedi Warrior
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I can speak from experience with people I know (in person, not internet-wise) that one of the things that makes them reluctant to seek mental health care is the fact that mental health care almost always has some sort of enforcement component attached. People don't have to worry about speaking to their primary care doctor about the most serious and potentially life threatening diseases, but as soon as someone makes a visit to a mental health doctor, there is at least the fear of being put on the radar of law enforcement, possible employment complications, etc. To me mental health care should be just health care - I truly believe that more people would feel comfortable and safe dealing with mental health issues if they were not afraid of ending up on some list or database for it (which loops back into the previous comments about not wanting to be stigmatized).
On a seperate but related note - the next time you do a fundraiser, is there anyway to send in actual money? I don't have access to digital payment stuff (heck the internet won't even come out to where I live), but if you have an address that I could stuff a couple 20's or a 50 into an envelope and send it, I'm in.
On a seperate but related note - the next time you do a fundraiser, is there anyway to send in actual money? I don't have access to digital payment stuff (heck the internet won't even come out to where I live), but if you have an address that I could stuff a couple 20's or a 50 into an envelope and send it, I'm in.
One of my concerns is the HIPPA may interfere with mandated reporting. Don't know how to address that. But another of my concerns is that mental health specialists may decide not to report dangerous behavior in order to maintain a non-adversarial relationship with their patients. I have seen this (though not with such a serious matter) where school social workers refuse to even talk to parents about certain "red flag" situations.
mikephillips
Yoda
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I do think there is something to the remarks about attention. When out with the lady friend, or with others my phone is in my pocket unless it rings, (how's that for an "old" term..), as I want to actually talk, hold hands, head on my shoulder and such. The human to human contact that is part of existence. And yet I can see tables of others, not just the young, where even together they're alone, scrolling through whatever they find interesting and only speaking when spoken to. So are social skills and the rewards of them being wiped from our minds and hearts by the ability to watch someone we don't know on the other side of the world?? And then there is the ability for those who are cruel to bully others in front of the whole world now, rather than when as I was young it was generally person to person and just a small group knew. I enjoy technology and the ability to be exposed to things I never would have without it but, are we trading in parts of out humanity and direct support of friends/family and thus making the venerable amongst us more prone to despair??
mikephillips
Yoda
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Along with the "Hey! look at me!" mindset, you see the story of the guy taking a selfie on Mount Vesuvius who very nearly pitched himself into the caldera?? Fortunately for him he slide a distance but stopped himself before going over the drop into the bowl. Who needs a photo that bad??….
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Last year while I was on the bike trail I saw a guy laying on the ground. When I got closer I noticed that he had his phone in one hand and a snake in the other. He was taking a selfie. I just shook my head and kept going.
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But just think of the "LIKES" he got.
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One of the leading causes of death at the Grand Canyon.
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Never could understand that. Getting that close to any precipice is just nuts, IMO. I guess I'm acrophobic to some extent. Wouldn't go to the edge of any cliff, get extremely nervous on a fire escape or open-rail balcony. Yet have no problem with being in aircraft, from buzzy Cessnas to F-106's and F-4's. Silly, but it's so. "Selfies" in the circumstances just don't seem worth the risk.
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I'm willing to get closer to the edge than my wife, but I do it watching where I'm going, not backing up to take a selfie.
mikephillips
Yoda
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Yea, you see some of those folks literally hanging from a cliff to get a photo and you have to wonder when it'll catch up since they're basically daring the universe to smite them.
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One more bit of evidence we're kin, Bubba - exactly the same here!
True story: friend of mine is a pilot, something I always wanted to explore. One day, long ago, he called me up and said to grab my camera; there were a bunch of hot air balloons nearby and he wanted to take a plane up and get some pictures. He rented a Cessna 152, as his Cherokee's wing would block the view as we flew over the balloons. And off we went.
It was a great day, perfect for getting some good shots. As we got near the balloons, Glenn said to reach up and open my window for less obstruction of the pictures. I did so, and then picked up the camera, pivoted sideways to take the pictures, and then completely froze up - was terrified. Glenn said, "Are you OK?"
I turned back in the seat, set the camera in my lap and said, "Yeah, give me a minute; I'll be OK." You know, there was no way I was gonna fly out that little window; was buckled in the seat. But for some reason, being exposed to an open window scared the dickens out of me (What are dickens, by the way? Whatever they are, I didn't have any then.)
Anyway, got some really nice pictures out of the deal. And to this day, Glenn and I laugh about the experience. Wasn't funny then, though...