And how is your day so far?
mentalhealth
I have a dilemma. I don't like using photos of myself on my profile pictures because I don't recognize myself or I don't like the way I gesture in them. I understood it has to do with autism and trying to appear pleasant in photos, or at least not look grumpy or moody. The current one is from 2021 and my wife took it at a country restaurant. I didn't like it, but I accepted it and use it almost everywhere. I have a more recent one from 2024, but everyone who sees that photo tells me two things: 1) That I'm more truly myself, and 2) That I look like a mobster. The truth is, I was very calm and took a selfie to show my wife that I had cut my hair. I'll leave it here, and if you want, you can tell me what you see. Later, I can answer about my true state of mind at the time of the photo and what I was doing just before taking it.
It is very funny that many of us with autism do not have a facial expression that clearly reveals emotions or mental states to others. 😅
#actuallyautistic #autism #autistic #bipolar #neurodivergent #mentalhealth
The president, who has framed mental health as a national crisis, paused rules to hold insurers accountable for unlawfully denying coverage. And Congress cut funding to the agency that enforces insurers’ equal treatment of mental and physical health.
#News #MentalHealth #Insurance #Health #Trump #Biden #Government
For the first time in months, I forced myself to get off the f—ing computer and go for a f—ing walk, where I met this little guy...
If at all possible, go outside sometime...
...your brain may stay in its spiral
...you may not notice any beauty
...but you may just encounter a random #cat in the middle of Amish farmland (who has no respect for it not being #Caturday) and be reminded for a moment that life...life is a thing
#MentalHealth #ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #AuDHD #CatsOfMastodon
Artist: alleyralkyrie
#mentalhealth #chronicillness #chronicallyill #autoimmune #depression #bpd #autism #friendship
#introduction #aboutme #vegetarian #nonviolence #doctorwho #amWriting #punkrock #peace #mentalhealth #startrek #writer #intersectionality
Hi. This blog mostly features my adorable cats, Joey and Sheena. Thank you for occasionally indulging me when I post non-feline things.
I just published my novel, Water Dogs. It's the best book about midwestern teens from the 1970s discovering punk rock and saving the universe that I've ever written. Please buy lots of copies from Barnes & Noble (or Amazon).
Transitions come in many forms—career shifts, empty nests, health journeys, relationship changes. Each invites us to pause and reimagine life on the other side. I’m opening a free, in-person Community Circle series for adults starting Sept 6. This is not a lecture, but a circle: space to breathe, reflect, and connect with others navigating change. Adults only; registration required. Space is limited!
THEY’RE HERE! My self-care adult coloring books arrived just now. I haven’t uploaded them to my website store (yet), but if you would like one, send $9.99 USD & your address to me at $mckra1g (CashApp) or @mckra1g (Venmo). Free shipping in the U.S. (add $3.00 for intl addresses).
#art #books #SelfCare #creativity #FediGiftShop #mind #MentalHealth #writing #journal #SelfHelp
1. Mostly succeeding in not letting someone else’s extremely bad behavior ruin my mental wellbeing.
2. Got into the house before a strong thunderstorm hit the Blue Ridge.
3. Blue sunsets on Lake Superior.
#3goodthings #ThreeGoodThings #mentalhealth #gratitude #GreatLakes
How would YOU communicate thru a short-circuiting transistor radio?
Plain language becomes revolutionary when your neurology sparks and stutters.
My live piece explores dancing close to the edge of the noise.
Coaching is an investment in yourself—but did you know your FSA may cover it? Pre-tax dollars can sometimes be used for mental fitness, stress management, or navigating transitions. Curious how this works? Send me a message and we’ll explore if your FSA can help make coaching more accessible.
Disclaimer: FSA eligibility varies—check with your plan administrator before using funds.
Someone wrote about this piece: "I'm not sure if I've been a fly on the wall listening to your family, or if you've been the fly at mine."
That recognition hits deep.
This is "sneaking my mother's creepy g-d on high" - a cinematic spoken word piece about winter 1997, family dinners, and what happens when you finally stop performing neurotypical.
Religious expectations. Neurodivergent reality. The price we pay for authenticity in families that were never built for minds like ours.
Heavy content warning: family trauma, substance use, religious themes, cult references.
How many of us recognize that battlefield of family gatherings where our honesty threatens everyone's comfort?
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #SpokenWord #WritingCommunity #MentalHealth #DisabilityPoetry
Okay. My Mastodon feed is, on the whole, way nicer than my old Twitter feed, but the ratio of horrifying/depressing news to interesting/happy news is still way too high.
I’m looking for suggestions for generally happy/upbeat stuff and people to follow, to try and balance things out a bit. Because I want to stay informed of the lousy stuff happening in the world, but I don’t want to be utterly deluged by it.
Time to re-up this from Awkward Yeti: (Nick Seluk)
https://linktr.ee/theawkwardyeti
#trauma #MentalHealth
Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.
---
Discharging patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others is illegal. But dozens of psychiatric hospitals aren’t honoring the law — and the government isn’t following up.
https://www.propublica.org/article/psychiatric-hospitals-emtala-violations-mental-health?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post
#News #Health #Law #Hospital #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Medicine
For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.
---
Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica investigation found.
https://www.propublica.org/article/psychiatric-hospitals-emtala-mental-health-profit?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post
#News #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Hospital #Law #Health #Medicine
Full of Journaling Prompts and Self-Care Exercises along w/illustrated affirmations awaiting your talented flourish, this coloring book is designed to help you lower your stress, focus your intentions and expand your well-being!
Please email info@mollycantrellkraig.co for bulk orders over 50 copies for special rates.
https://mollycantrellkraig.co/product/self-care-scribbles-coloring-book/
#stressRelief #HR #coloringBooks #books #art #journaling #happiness #affirmations #LifeCoach #focus #FediGiftShop #writing #MentalHealth #manifestation
Nice review of the evidence for banning phones in schools. This reviews huge studies across numerous countries. The big takeaway: there’s no effect on children’s outcomes. According to the latest evidence, cell phone bans don’t work.
#Psychology #SocialMedia #smartphones #phoneBans #childmentalhealth #mentalhealth
Replacing some or all of your #lawn with native plants and food is one way to support each other and the environment – but it truly does so much more than that.
Here are some significant research-backed and expert-approved benefits you’ll experience when you make the switch.
#nolawn #nolawns #rewilding #gardening #biodiversity #cities #urbannature #insects #ecology #landscaping #ediblelandscaping #mentalhealth #bees
https://www.rewildingmag.com/6-reasons-to-downsize-your-lawn/
1/2 Literal Crazy Shit
You ever wonder if Mastodon is even real? Like, maybe it's just a way for my brain to conceptualize hundreds of voices in a meaningful and organized way (laughs to self, spitting coffee everywhere because of "organized")?
I mean, I am pretty sure it's real, but also back when I was was on birdsite, I had a major psychotic experience that was not of short duration. Much of the experience was lived through a sort of virtual reality, with birdsite as the operating system. Even when I was not actively on social media, the people around me were still part of it, like working "offline" or something.
I experienced some probably not real things, with possibly not real people, doing and saying probably not real things. I say "probably" because i have no way of lnowing. But also I don't know what was what, because I hid it from everybody thinking they would think I am crazy. Yeah, I was literally crazy, thinking other people were crazy, and worried people would think I'm crazy.
#Schizoaffective #Schizophrenia #MentalHealth #MentalIllness #Psychosis #Bipolar
Why It’s So Hard to Find a Therapist Who Takes #Insurance
==
Those who need #therapy often have to pay out of pocket or go without care, even if they have #health insurance.
Hundreds of mental health providers told us they fled networks because insurers made their jobs impossible and their lives miserable.
#News #HealthCare #MentalHealth #Government #Business #Law #Doctors #Hospital #Patients
New #Biden Administration Rules Aim to Hold Insurers Accountable for #MentalHealth Care Coverage
==
The regulations will force health insurance plans to collect and report more data on how they limit and deny mental health claims. ProPublica’s reporting has found that insurers regularly shortchange patients seeking treatment.
#News #Health #Insurance #Regulation #Government #Therapy
https://www.propublica.org/article/biden-administration-strengthens-mental-health-care-protections
Can’t join us in Chicago? Check out the livestream and all-access digital version of the FutureU Self Care Summit, happening January 7, 2025.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/futureu-self-care-summit-tickets-1045453879697?
In a world full of noise and chaos, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This FREE checklist is your reminder that taking a moment for yourself is a powerful first step toward building a balanced and resilient life.
We’ve created 9 quick steps to guide you back to your center and help you manage stress, find peace, and focus on YOU.
https://meetfutureu.com/reclaim-your-calm-post-election-self-care-checklist/
Just finished creating cover designs for the 12 days promo Christine and I are launching on DEC 20th. We're offering 12 days of free downloads, ranging from energy audits, mindfulness exercises, manifesting, sales/business playbooks AND MORE. The retail value of the offerings ranges from $97-$497 each.
Want to learn more? Register for free: