Nick Major - OLD profileNov 11, 2022
stux⚡️

Mental health issues are raising exponentially with young people.. Mastodon has build-in all kinds of features like blocking, muting filters etc and ‘non-features’ like constantly showing numbers everywhere on timelines, profiles etc.

Please know that #Mastodon is a safe place to talk about mental health. Talking about it can really help, we do not judge we only want to help♥️

If we can contribute even the slightest in battling this issue I say we should! Together!  

Nov 10, 2022 at 11:50pmWeb
Show threadstux⚡️Nov 10, 2022

Personally I have experienced a situation in where someone give certain signals about self harm and even worse here on Mastodon a while ago.

I dropped everything and started talking♥️ Ofc offer professional help first(with phone number or anything) but try to talk!

I’m not a psychologist, not by by a long shot but I am human🥰

Please, if you see something like this happening take the time and talk with the person! You never know what difference it can make!

Show threadlashmanNov 10, 2022
@stux
Show threadCattNov 11, 2022
@stux
An excellent reminder to be kind because we don’t always know what’s happening on the other side of some ones key board. ❤️
Show threadAmanda Finley Digs All ThingsNov 11, 2022
@stux we unfortunately see so much of this in the long COVID community. It's so bad... The best thing we can do while waiting for help is to keep them talking.
Show threadYaoi Box BalloonNov 11, 2022

@stux Definitely help out if you can.

But also (if the resources are available) try and get the person professional help. Am however fully aware that it's not accessible to a lot of people.

Show threadstux⚡️Nov 11, 2022
@monsoonrains Since a while we have a little info at the bottom of the /about page about that!
https://mstdn.social/about
Mastodon 🐘

A general-purpose Mastodon server with a 500 character limit. All languages are welcome.

Mastodon hosted on mstdn.social
Show threadOwen G. Richards - ANTIFAscistNov 11, 2022
@stux Much respect for your astute observations and laudible response. I'm also open to conversations with anyone who needs to talk.
Show threadTíaCheems Nov 11, 2022
@stux 
Show threadJulieHarden Nov 11, 2022
@stux Often, interacting and engaging with someone makes all the difference in the world ❤️
Show threadshorty60 🇺🇸Nov 11, 2022
@stux I had a similar situation many years back before “social media” was a real. I did pretty much the same thing but did pass on the Suicide Hotline to her and encouraged her to call and talk to someone. Chatted with her about a year maybe a little more later and she was doing well and thanked me for being there. The moral of the story is to be there, let them talk, listen and support.
Show threadPandawoman81Nov 11, 2022
@stux emotional CPR is a two day course designed to teach non professionals to help people in distress. "In the end only kindness matters" Jewel, Hands (song).
Show threadLauren HugNov 11, 2022
@stux I love this! I wrote a whole book about how we can be kinder and more human online and you’ve managed to make the same point so succinctly. We’re humans. We should act like it in online spaces, taking compassionate interest in the other humans we encounter. 💜
Show threadNeznak Nov 12, 2022
@stux "... but I am human"
SO YOU ARE NOT A CAT?! Well, that explains everything.
Show threadDuo Von Dagrate Nov 10, 2022
Bless up. Thanks @stux
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 10, 2022
@stux love this a lot especially as I’m a qualified therapist. More than happy to answer any questions anyone has about mental health or of course relationship issues. Feel free to just tag me.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux How do you approach something like strong ADHD (which has always proved resistant to treatment) complicated by severe chronic pain that directly causes insomnia? Asking for a me.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux the best combination is to work with a specialist therapist that treats ADHD in combination with prescribing medication. Now I’m not a fan usually of prescription drugs as especially in the field of ADHD it often gets overprescribed. It’s also looking at childhood trauma. Insomnia is horrible and I would unravel it from there. Question is what’s first insomnia or ADHD? Sleep deprivation can mimic mild to sever mental health issues. Highly recommend 2 books Gabor Maté “Scattered Minds
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux …and Matthew Walker “Why we sleep”. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction seemed to work too. It’s really looking also at your lifestyle (sleep, food and exercise). I also know some people that had improvements by listening to “Brown Noise” which can have a calming effect on the overthinking and cluttered mind of ADHD. Brown Noise is similar to White Noise and can have a calming effect on an ADHD mind.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux chronic pain often also comes with depression as often people get trapped in a cycle of not being able to do anything when they have severe pain to doing a lot when their pain is bearable which then feeds into more pain often after 1-3 days. It’s important to pace yourself. Overdoing and then being not able to do anything will frustrate your mind. It’s making sure that your pain is controlled and that you learn how to not overdo it when pain is bearable.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux Unfortunately as mentioned due to the inverted effect of what causes the pain to get worse calming just opens my brain up to the chaotic signals. My best bet is usually stimulus of some sort. Focusing my mind on an activity. Shorting out the nerves via intevening signals. Just had surgery to remove a botched neural stimulator they tried on me. So I have tried a number of solutions. Pain Drs are at the end of current research. Sleep Drs no luck either.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux so sad to hear that. Sleep doctors won’t be able to help when pain isn’t under control. So anything you try to do about your ADHD or insomnia won’t necessarily work as your pain is still there and as you stated your mind tries to stay busy to ignore the pain. It’s finding chronic pain groups and keep asking different opinions from chronic pain specialists. Some of my clients who dealt with chronic pain had to be really stern with their doctors and demand to be seen by a specialist to
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux get reassessed. The field of chronic pain is so broad it can get very confusing. One of my clients used a tense machine that helped but depending how pain develops in your body it’s different for every client.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux Yep. Used one of those. In fact the neural stimulator they put in my spine was basically one of those internal. It took about 10% of the pain off but they didn't install the battery right. Had to take the whole thing out. Only they couldn't get all the wire out of my spine. The complications were not fun and I only just got it out. Not sure anyone will want to go in that way again.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux that’s frustrating. Not good. And that alone will leave you depressed. Did you join any chronic pain groups in real life and/or online?
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux I have. Even been involved in med trials for my form of chronic pain. Pretty much everything winds up a dead end or the side effects are too problematic.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux there’s a good book out there by Tony Robbins “Life Force” that talks about the newest technologies and stem cell therapy. He dealt with severe chronic pain too. I don’t know in which country you are but often it is pushing the doctors to make treatments available to you and not becoming a Guinea pig. I have to hop off here soon as busy day with clients but will check later. Feel free to DM me.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux I am in the US where we have the greatest health care system in the world (not sure the sarcasm is making it through the screen).
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux Thanks. Getting myself ready to dive back into expanding my therapy over here. So might reach out for advice.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux I am beyond simple depression. Current diagnosis is dysthymia. But I seem to have an interesting view on things because the depression though persistent is countered by my rather positive attitude.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux talking to doctors about chronic pain over here in the U.K. my understanding is that dealing with pain quickly as body learns to fire those “pain signals” continuously. How long are you living with chronic pain?
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux About 15 years now. And the fun part is that it is slowly getting worse including targeting my hands.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux that’s a long time any times where you got your pain under control or where it was bearable? I also recommend a pain journal to write your pain intensity down and recording what works and when it’s at its worst and what you did that day.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux No. Its been a slow continuous slide into more pain. I until recently used to clock myself as being between 4-7. But I have been having incursions into 8 more frequently.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux Yep. One of the things about pain Drs is they get a little numb to the patients because of course they are hiding the pain. Not wanting to be a burden. So every once in a while when seeing my pain Dr I drop the shields and let him understand what I am going through with emotional impact. I literally am at the edge of what is possible. There are a few dangerous procedures I have not tried. But thats about it.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux The insomnia stems from the chronic pain. It comes from partial peripheral neuropathy. Rather than just dead nerves mine got cranked up to 11. Its phantom pain resulting from chaotic signals from my feet. Which means it gets worse as my mind gets calmer. Bad combo. Basically it gets worse at night and near impossible to sleep unless I pass out. My sleep cycle is literally nonexistent any more.
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@Az_ @stux yes, the most important part there is to tackle your chronic pain. So you are able to sleep. 7 to 9 hours uninterrupted sleep is needed to make sure our body and mind gets restored. Sedation isn’t sleep because you are after the REM sleep. It’s making sure that you have medication and treatment that helps you getting the chronic pain under control. It must be frustrating for you.
Show threadAz_The nicest of the damned.Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux I still consider my life to be on the positive side of things. The pain is debilitating but I have some strong philosophical positions that allow me to look up even when the depression tries to shut me down.
Show threadInverse Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux can we have Mastodon Spaces where people can host talks to discuss about this issue? Would definitely increase awareness for it
Show threadstux⚡️Nov 11, 2022

@inverse @TheQueensMindset Maybe some are willing to setup a live session via PeerTube or Owncast streaming a time?

It can be viewed live here in the Fediverse 

Show threadInverse Nov 11, 2022
@stux @TheQueensMindset that would be awesome
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@stux @inverse sure if you guide me to the fediverse places where I can talk about that and stream. I do a lot on Facebook usually but have no idea how that works in the fediverse. I’m a quick learner though.
Show threadstux⚡️Nov 11, 2022

@TheQueensMindset @inverse Maybe you can take a look at this! https://owncast.online/

It's like Twitch but for yourself   and it works with Mastodon!

But also PeerTube, that's the 'fediverse' alternative for YouTube! 😉

I can look into this later and perhaps set something up

Owncast

Owncast is your self-hosted live streaming solution.

Owncast
Show threadJenny WhiteNov 11, 2022
@stux @inverse definitely will have a look. PeerTube sound great too. Would be fab. I’m going to bed now. Busy day tomorrow. Totally love this space here. Great awareness and community. Let’s definitely stream on here I can also just do an awareness talk no problem. 😃
Show thread- krys -Nov 11, 2022
@TheQueensMindset @stux I’m also a psychotherapist. If i can help, hit me up.
Show threadSmoothOperatorGRNov 10, 2022
@stux I would just like to chime in and say that anything made of flour is bad for your mental health, there was a study on a tribe, they gave them bread etc and they started to have scizo and bad teeth!
Show threadjordanNov 11, 2022
@stux with a giant fuckin' asterisk that you have to be willing to block shitheads and cultivate a good keyword mute list. there are definitely some unhinged wackos that have appeared in my replies when i garnered the attention of the wrong person or server.
Show threadNat Weaver 🏳‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Nov 11, 2022
@stux respect. Indeed. Always look out for one another.
Show threadSteve HoldsworthNov 11, 2022
@stux We should. Thanks for the kind words xx
Show threadMarcus KelsonNov 11, 2022
@stux this is very good to know, I've spent years on twitter discussing mental illness (my own mostly) and have received nothing but support - hoping it continues here :)
Show threadEssem Nov 11, 2022
@stux the post privacy options especially help a lot, I know some people who I especially do not want seeing some of the posts where I talk about that stuff so the fact that I can limit them from seeing said posts helps a lot
Show threadThe Yarn HobbitNov 11, 2022

@stux it's posts like this that have had me encouraging my kids (older teens) to come here from other platforms.

I see how sad other platforms make them feel about the world & cynical of people in general.

Show threadRobin HoodNov 11, 2022
@stux love you stux! You are such a gem 💎✨
Show threadWilsoNov 11, 2022
@stux It's not just young people fighting battles
Show threadstux⚡️Nov 11, 2022
@Wilso True! 😉 but in this case i wanna put more light on them since they are the ones talking least about it  ❤️
Show threadtlsmith63Nov 11, 2022
@stux @Wilso And they are the ones inheriting this messed up world. No wonder they are having issues!
Show threadMr. SpockNov 11, 2022

@stux Like many, I believe, I had some problem choosing the instance of Mastodon I'd try it on.
So many to chose from, and no knowledge of any.
I ended up picking mstdn.social after reading its rules, with which I fully agree, but could've as easily picked another one.
Reading this concern about mental health and creating a safe environment for people struggling makes me think I picked the right one.

Thank you @stux .

Show threadDominique Gendron-LangloisNov 11, 2022
@stux Having kids has made me more and more aware of all the danger those things present to a young, developing brain. Everything is amplified when you are young, the good and the bad. I think about the social media/kid relationship everyday and I wish I could do more. Let's start with something like this.
Together. 
Show threadTerminalUserNov 11, 2022
@stux https://pinafore.social this web based Mastodon client has an option to disable the infinite scroll on its settings.
Home · Pinafore

An alternative web client for Mastodon, focused on speed and simplicity.

Show threadDoug HoltonNov 11, 2022
@stux Yes, if someone indicates they are struggling, remember V-A-R: Validate, Appreciate, Refer. Here are some resources from the Active Minds organization: https://www.activeminds.org/about-mental-health/var/
If you're in crisis, dial 988 to be connected to a trained counselor, or see these international phone numbers:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines
#MentalHealth #WellBeing #Anxiety #Stress #Depression #Trauma
V-A-R: Validate, Appreciate, Refer

Active Minds' everyday guide for everyday challenges

Active Minds
Show threadtlsmith63Nov 11, 2022
@stux Even older ppl like me are having issues. It is hard to deal with things these days. I go to Twitter & argue about things & I know it is not good for my mental health. I am glad Mastodon is here because it is more positive!