As We Countdown to the Election

Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 5-11. That same week, our presidential candidates will hold a “town hall” debate—in which up to a quarter of the audience are likely to have experienced a mental illness.

That’s because one in four adults lives with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illnesses every year. That’s almost 60 million Americans.

Mental illness does not discriminate between Republicans and Democrats. It can strike anyone at any time.

Mental health is part of health care and it is essential that it be included in the nation’s health care reform debate.

Mental illness affects children. It affects people of color. Two million Americans live with schizophrenia—twice the number of those with HIV/AIDS. One in five veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan—almost 300,000 troops—will experience major depression or PTSD upon returning home. Unfortunately, two-thirds of people who live with mental illnesses do not receive treatment.

But treatment works. Recovery is possible. Between now and Election Day, every candidate needs to talk about these facts.

See how the presidential candidates responded to a NAMI survey here.

Then... VOTE.

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean , mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff ? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Editor's note: I'm up to my eyeballs in a new Family to Family class - 12 weeks of immersion. Bear with me and my tardy posting:)

Healthy Ideas to Manage Life's Pressures Part 3

Here is the final installment in our series on strategies to reduce the every day stress in our lives courtesy of Mental Health America. Living with mental illness is a stress in and of itself - with or without the moment to moment drama of modern life. The neurotransmitters adrenaline and epinephrine evolved to help us react quickly to an immediate threat - fight or flight - great idea if you need a speedy response to stumbling upon lions, or tigers or bears! However, we never did adapt to a steady stream of these useful chemicals - the so called 'stress response.' Long term, an overabundance of fight or flight chemicals is damaging to our health, resulting in heart disease and a host of pathological conditions. So, take a deep breath and try these ideas...

• Watch your negative self-talk. Try not to put yourself down. For example, if you don’t make it to the gym this week, don’t call yourself lazy. Instead think about the specific factor that may have kept you from going to the gym. “I wasn’t able to work out because I had to work late hours this week, but next week, I’ll make it a priority to go.” The problem is temporary and can be overcome.

• Get involved in spiritual activities. Studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, such as greater coping skills, less anxiety and a lower risk of depression. Spirituality may provide a sense of hope, meaning and purpose in life, a way to understand suffering and illness, and a connection with others. Religious and spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation, can evoke positive emotions that can lead to better health.

• Write down three good things that happen to you each day for a week. Also write down why each good thing happened. Thinking about the good things in your life and expressing gratitude may actually help you feel happier.

And finally, deep breathing is a great way to de-stress. It actually changes your brain’s chemical balance to calm you down.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Lie down or sit on the floor or in a chair.
2. Rest your hands on your stomach.
3. Slowly count to four and inhale through your nose. Feel your stomach rise. Hold it for a second.
4. Slowly count to four while you exhale through your mouth. To control how fast you exhale, purse your lips like you’re going to whistle. Your stomach will slowly fall.
5. Do this a few times.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this list for a refresher and start chillaxin!