Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024—A Chilling Reminder
The stark recall of the experience of mass torture and slaughter of a multitude of innocent citizens is a lesson of grave concern today.
Category: Public Health Issue
Mass Shootings—Too Many Guns or Mental Health Problems
Resolving the political divide on the causes and solutions of active or mass shooter incidences may be in the link between mental health, depression, lethal weapons, and media influence.
There has been a lack of progress in passing new legislation and regulations to help curb the increase in mass shootings of innocent people. Tragic loss of life from mass shootings or active shooter incidences is now an almost daily occurrence and increasing. People feel helpless and angered that our elected officials, for-profit businesses, and organizations can’t have fruitful discussions or surmount their partisan stuck talking points and biases.1
What I learned from my father’s death or should have
The hidden truth about Forgiveness
by Ron Parks, MD
It was early morning when I got a call from the chief of medicine and cardiologist at the community hospital where I was on staff. In a more worried voice, than was usual for him, he said, “Ron, could you stop by my office on your way to make rounds? It’s about your father. With everything I have tried, I can’t stabilize him. We need to make some decisions!” With that, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door. Our chief of medicine was the top cardiologist in the immediate area. When my father, during a visit to our home, had another one of his heart attacks, I had him admitted to our local hospital under the care of an experienced cardiologist.
Identity and Perspective: for Success or Misfortune
The tragedies of our time, and perhaps of all times, hinge on extremes of personal or group identification and loss of perspective.
In the day’s events, we see tragic outcomes, minor disputes, hatred and discrimination, mass murders, and the carnage of war. Mass shootings often occur because of racial hatred that links to individuals or groups with extreme views or ideologies. Adopting and embracing a limited set of ideas and beliefs eliminates and eradicates perspective and context.
Consequences of my tightly held identity and perspective
The Challenges of mental illness caregiving
The realities of the care and responsibility when a family member is disabled with a schizophrenic illness
Parents or caregivers can find themselves in uncharted waters
Many get caught unprepared when a mental illness affects a loved one, spouse, child, or significant other. Though previously fully independent and entirely responsible, the person now disabled rapidly or slowly becomes dependent on a caregiver’s help, support, and management. The descent into illness and dysfunction caused by the mental disorder calls on the extreme resourcefulness of the one beset with an unimaginable level of additional responsibility.
Schizophrenia, the Stigma, Reality, and Hope
Being Partially informed or influenced by misinformation creates significant problems for those affected with disabilities and the community at large.
The hidden, marginalized, and ignored
My wife and I headed downtown to grab a bite in the festive downtown atmosphere of Asheville. Things have changed in the past couple of years with the economic downturn and COVID-19, with more people having difficulty making ends meet to survive these difficult times. As we got out of our car and parked in an area downtown under the highway bridge, there appeared to be more homeless people gathering, especially as they would have a soup kitchen there later in the day.
The U.S. Gun Romance and Harsh Reality of Gun Deaths
A close look at the history, key contributing factors, mental health-related issues, and needed changes
Gun violence has been a major issue in the U.S. for too long. I felt it worthwhile to examine the historical context, key contributing factors, and critical mental health-related issues. My goal? To increase awareness and perspective and develop a reasonable discussion about reducing gun deaths. Join me in exploring a subject of critical concern for the safety and well-being of our community.
Unmasking Neurodiversity to Discover Hidden Talent, and the Authentic Self
The cost of masking, arrogance, and a rigid self-identity; Eight Tips for successfully living the authentic and creative life.
Befriending the Inner Voice
The willingness to challenge our firmly held beliefs and established narrative identity is a gateway for change, gaining wisdom, and better adaptability to life’s challenges.
Simon’s Story
I’m Simon, and I have bipolar disorder. I like to joke that I was a late bloomer, very tongue in cheek, because that was far from the truth. I was in my mid-forties when I physically collapsed. Life and everyone in it just became too much and my mind and body had come to a place where something had to give, or in my case, both gave way at the same time.
I spent a long time in bed thinking that the heart palpitations, cause by my excessive drinking, were killing me. Eventually, I took a stupid Am I Bipolar? test in a magazine, and found that I ticked all of the boxes. That led me back to my GP, who set me up with an appointment with Arno, my first psychiatrist. Within an hour, and with prescription in hand, I entered life after diagnosis and the circus show that comes when dealing with extended family and friends. Luckily, I had Jax to help me...
Storms and Mental Health
Mary’s Challenges
Mary1 had a history of mood swings, depression, anxiety, and PTSD from childhood sexual abuse. Her years growing up were in a chaotic and disruptive home, especially after her alcoholic father deserted her and her mother. She had experienced a hard time growing up with parental neglect, physical, and emotional abuse. Her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) returned after the hurricane with a vengeance.