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iforimaginary · 7 months

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May I entice the masses with the concept of a Will Wood Jukebox Musical?

Around a month ago me and a good friend of mine were listening to Will Wood’s discography and they offhandedly threw “Wouldn’t it be cool if someone made a Mama Mia equivalent with his songs?” into the air.

This thought stuck with me for a while until I found myself incredibly bored during a 3 hour-long road trip and decided to kill some time.

Preface aside, I present…

[ Welcome To Suburbia The Musical ]

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Brochure Designs:

Narrative Summary:

A young couple attempt to escape the hardships of life by moving to a far-off picture-perfect town known by locals as ‘Suburbia’. Despite it’s shining appearance, the couple are troubled by unsettling peculiarities bursting at the suburb’s seams- but what’s a village without a little cooky culture?

Character Breakdown:

• James Campbell - An alcohol-dependent horror writer down on his publishing luck.

• Dai Lu Lee - A doctor specialising in the care of farm animals with an unfortunate talent for disappointing her parents.

• Cassie Logan - James & Dai Lu’s next door neighbour with an unsettling sense of humour.

• Morgan Logan - Cassie’s reserved wife working as a forensic investigator for the local PD with a predisposition to bad first impressions.

• Lin Lee - Dai Lu’s headstrong traditional father.

• Ming Lee - Dai Lu’s passive narcissistic mother.

• Mayor - Confident and charismatic front man of Suburbia with a messy past who’s always ready to offer a helping hand.

• Barkeeper - Eccentric and off-putting owner of a local bar that appears to be a front for a darker business.

• Therapist - Patient woman tending to Dai Lu’s psychiatrical and psychological needs.

• Secretary (Non-singing ensemble role) - Nerdy and shy assistant of The Mayor who is desperately enamoured, head-over-heels for her employer.

Act Synopses:

[Act 1]

James and Dai Lu, freshly engaged and already exhausted from life’s baggage, strike a ‘too-good-to-be-true’ deal on a down payment for a quaint home in the unmarked town of Suburbia. After being warmly welcomed by the ever so charming Mayor and their next door neighbours Cassie and Morgan, the couple begin to unwillingly face some of their fatal flaws as Dai Lu is forced to stare her regretful decision making right in its ugly face.

[Act 2]

James may recognise his now hard-to-hide attachment to alcohol, but he is far from apologetic about it. Frequenting a newly discovered bar on the outskirts of town results in his fiancée finding herself in a rather unusual predicament. Forced to work for a sleazy underground cabaret bar, she preforms a number detailing The Mayor’s dark and unfortunate past. All the while, The Mayor himself is trying to seduce her partner into a life overflowing with sin and dubious spiritual ties. Upon being reunited through the brilliant detective work of Morgan, the couple have yet another handful of complicated feelings to sort through.

[Act 3]

Decades of pious work from The Mayor’s hands finally come to a head as he no longer attempts to hide his servitude to a being he was never quite sure how to please. The town descends into uncertain insanity as every individual is consumed by their corrosive and abandoned insecurities. Dai Lu never quite moves past her disagreements with her parents, James never quite makes peace with being an utterly unremarkable writer and Morgan never quite solves the case that’s been scratching at the back of her mind for years. All those lives are, however, lost in vain as The Mayor misinterprets his Patron’s asks. The town of Suburbia stands desolate, bare, and belonging to a man who’s greatest desire is to be rid of it’s burden.

Songs By Act:

(Act 1)

Suburbia Overture (Mayor, Ensemble)

The Main Character (James)

Marsha… (Lee Family)

Against The Kitchen Floor (James)

Momento Mori… (Morgan)

Well, Better Than… (Dai Lu)

(Act 2)

The First Step (James)

Willard! (Mayor)

Front Street (Barkeeper, Ensemble)

Venetian Blind Man (Dai Lu)

Black Box Warrior (Therapist)

Your Body, My Temple (Mayor, Ensemble)

Sex, Drugs, Rock’n’Roll (James)

Cover This Song (Cassie)

Outliers (Mayor)

Love Me, Normally (James)

(Act 3)

Vampire Culture [S.O. Reprise] (Mayor, Cassie, Morgan, Ensemble)

Lapce’s Angel (Mayor)

Hand Me My Shovel (Cassie, Morgan, Ensemble)

Dr Sunshine (Dai Lu, Ensemble)

Cotard’s Solution (James, Ensemble)

Song With Five Names (Mayor, Ensemble)

2012 (James, Dai Lu, Mayor, Ensemble)

Naturally there is a much larger and in depth plot summary, thought-out blocking for musical numbers and some in progress character designs that I have crammed into my Master Doc for this behemoth of an original work.

Keep in mind this concept is far from finalised, more characters may be added and more songs might be written into the narrative.

I’d be more than happy to go more in detail about it and accept any form of suggestions or feedback if the users of Tumblr happen to find this interesting :)

In the mean time, if you find yourself interested in this work and would like to listen to the songs in chronological order I have compiled a playlist you can find bellow… ↓↓↓

#will wood #will wood and the tapeworms #jukebox musical #original work #original musical #work in progress #shamless promotion #welcome to suburbia #calling all will wood and musical theatre fans #i sincerely hope more people are going to be into this than just me and my bf #feedback is appreciated #Spotify

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greyaugustuspoetry · 1 year

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You are loved. What to do in a crisis and resources on how to get help with mental illness.

If you can, please reblog this so people can be aware of how they can get help.

Hello world! I just thought I’d provide some resources for all the mentally ill out there in this existence. These all worked for me and hopefully they can work for you. If you think you may be suffering from mental illness go to section two and three. If you are currently in crisis, which means you think about or have planned your suicide, go to section one and read through the rest of this post. You are not alone, 792 million people live with mental illness. 264 million live with depression, and 284 million live with anxiety. If you are reading this, it’s a sign to start getting help. If you are struggling, these resources can help you. Just give it a try, it’s worth it. Just remember. You are loved. You are wanted. You are cared for. You are noticed. You deserve to live.

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS:

Call a suicide hotline!!!!

Hotlines can be helpful at calming you down in a time of high emotion or stress, these people are literally trained to distract you. I’ve called them a few times in my life and it does work I promise. Just try it out.

The U.S number is 988

If you don’t live in the U.S, follow this link to find your countries hotline. Hotlines. Find it on the site and give it a call. Here are some additional hotlines and resource specific help.

Directory of international mental health helplines

A second list of global hotlines

Crisis hotlines for teens and youth

LGBT crisis support

Substance abuse crisis support

Postpartum support

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

National child abuse hotline

Literally just a list of hotlines for everything

Either while you are on the phone with a hotline or after, send your location to a friend or family member so that someone can come get you or check on you. If that is not an option you can ask the hotline to send someone to come get you. DO NOT. I REPEAT. DO NOT. Stay by yourself in a time of need or crisis. The longer you are alone the more dangerous the situation can become. You are not a burden if you ask someone you love for help, that is what they are there for. Most likely you will be collected by emergency services and they will go from there.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN AN ACTION TO KILL YOURSELF DO THE FOLLOWING:

Call 911 if you are in the U.S

If you are not in the U.S call your countries emergency number. Here is a list of countries numbers:

List of emergency telephone numbers

If you are at home with family members go to your family and let them know what happened. Even if they are asleep, wake someone up if you have to. Do this AFTER you have contacted emergency services .

If you are on a college campus, contact your RA or your campus crisis line AFTER you have contact emergency services.

If you are by yourself, WAIT FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ARRIVE. Do not move from your location.

In crisis and after you need to make a safety plan. Safety plans reduce risk of future harm by planning out actions that you can do yourself to reduce emotional stress. Here’s how:

Safety Plan

After crisis assistance:

After crisis assistance can include therapy and psychiatry. I will provide thinks for find both of these things. If you are not currently in crisis but you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, please make an appointment with one of these assistances. Below there are additional resources for mental health that can also be used as a first step.

Therapists

International therapy directory

Psychiatrists

American Psychiatric Association

How to find a psychiatrist and other therapists

U.S Government resources

National hotline for resources

General mental health resources

GLOBAL mental health resources

Coping strategies:

Coping strategies are how you individually can cope and process emotions, thoughts, and feelings. They can be hobbies or things like journaling or writing or just something as simple as going on a walk. I will give links to lists of coping strategies that might help you.

Coping with anxiety

Self-harm coping strategies

Coping skills for depression

How to cope with suicidal thoughts

35 coping skills to try

Self- help techniques for mental illness

100 coping strategies for all things

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coolbreadbox · 4 months

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Psychiatric Service Dog Fundraising

Hi there!

My name is Dimitri! I am a 28 year old father and I suffer from extreame PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. My day to day life can be hard even with medication and plenty of therapy.

March 17th 2021, my beloved service dog Buster had passed away. He was my best friend and he meant the world to me. After about three years of struggling without his assistance and companionship, my husband and I felt it was time to find another dog that would fit alongside Buster in my heart.

Buster was a shelter dog before he became my service dog, and I knew it was something I wanted to do again, to give another dog a second chance at being something extraordinary.

This past week, we met quite a few dogs at the shelter with various dispositions and unique character, but nobody felt right but a 6 year old lab, Ronin. I saw what a gentle, sweet soul he was, the workers at the shelter praised how loved he was before he was there. He knows almost everything about obedience, and is a model canine citizen.

Needless to say, he's perfect for the job. The only thing he is needing is his service training to be a certified Psychiatric Service Dog. It's a little costly, which is why I am asking for a little help.

$4000 will help cover the costs of training and his testing. And in the end, he will be able to help me in my day to day life.And if there is any worry about if the money will go to the training, I will provide plenty of updates and photos of Ronin during his classes, his testing and graduation!I will also provide a link to the trainer we will be using as well.

The amount will cover the cost of the training and any additional fees that may possibly be part of it.

Thank you so much for reading my story!

#gofundme #ptsd #service dog #mental health #Depression #Anxiety #Medical #Dog #labrador retriever #black labrador #psychiatry #psychiatric service dog

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villainousshakespeare · 2 years

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Therapy Fit for a God Chapter 15

Loki/OFC Rated E: Trigger Warnings: Smut (previous chapters) Sex, Angst, talk of suicide, therapy, unhealthy family dynamics, mention of torture and mind control, touch starved, drinking

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14

Loki’s plans to conquer and rule Midgard have come to a disastrous end. After being captured by the Avengers, he is being held on Earth. Odin has refused to interfere, and the outlook for the God of Mischief appear bleak. His only hope may lie in one mortal woman, a Psychiatric expert brought in to interrogate him.

Dr. Caroline Thorpe is intrigued by Loki and thinks that more lies beneath his actions than is commonly known. Can she find out the truth before he is shipped off to die for crimes against the Earth? And can Loki bring himself to care?

@yespolkadotkitty @just-the-hiddles @hopelessromanticspoonie @wine-and-whines @arch-venus25 @caffiend-queen @devilish–doll @enchantedbyhiddles @hiddlesholic @i-do-not-fangirl-i-fanwoman @kellatron55 @ladyoftheteaandblood @latent-thoughts @yespolkadotkitty@maryxglz @myoxisbroken @nuggsmum @nildespirandum @pedeka @redfoxwritesstuff @sinfully-lustful-darling @vodka-and-some-sass @wrathkitty @kingtwhiddleston @wolfsmom1 @poetic-fiasco @shiningloki @dangertoozmanykids101 @bookworm-christina @amwolowicz @delightfulheartdream @frostbitten-written @what-a-flammable-heart @tom-hlover @nonsensicalobsessions @myraiswack @loki-yoursaviourishere @ghostypau @ms-cellanies @colorfulfreakstudentpizza @mareebird @colorfulfreakstudentpizza @szycha22 @chokemedaddyloki @queenofallhobos @just-the-hiddles-reads @alwida10 @justjoanne242 @chantsdemarins @lovelysizzlingbluebird @lokiprompts

Caroline sat back with a small smile on her face as she listened to Tony grilling Loki on everything related to the Infinity stones. It was amusing to her how similar their minds worked, despite one being grounded in Earthly science and the other in Asgardian magic. They were both quick, clever, and given to intuitive leaps that very few other people could follow. It didn't take long before she saw the recognition light up in each of their eyes as they took the measure of each other.

Having given up on personally following the ins and outs of galaxy creating and shattering rocks, Caroline allowed her intuition to turn her gaze over to Loki's brother. Thor had been uncharacteristically quiet as the two geniuses prattled on. As she looked at him now, Caroline saw uncertainty and even a touch of hurt in his eyes.

"Gentlemen," she said, getting to her feet, "I think we can all agree that I am not the practical science or magical artifact expert in this group. So, if you will excuse me, I am just going to see to something outside. Thor, do you think you could help me?"

"What is it you need, love?" Loki asked, immediately abandoning his conversation to possessively take her hand. "I would be more than happy to assist you."

"No, you stay and talk shop with Tony," she insisted, insides fluttering at the way he hovered over her.

"Besides, if you think I am letting the two of you out of my sight at the same time, you are in for a rude awakening," Tony added.

"I hardly think you could prevent it," Loki bristled, pulling her close to him.

"Down boys," she sighed, pulling away. "Thor will do nicely. Though Loki, if you would... something warmer would be nice."

She gestured down at her clothing, and a moment later she was covered from head to toe in a warm down parka, snow pants, hat, scarf, and mittens so that only her face was visible. She also noted that instead of the warm, feminine colors he had dressed her in before she was now swathed in green with bright gold accents. Clearly her prince was set on marking his territory, and despite her independence it gave her a giddy sense of excitement that Loki clearly considered her to belong to him.

"Nice," Tony commented as Loki kissed her mouth lingeringly. "Real subtle there, Sigfried. Surprised you didn't just pee on her shoes."

"Play nice, boys," she scolded as Loki glared at Stark. "We will be back soon."

Linking her arm through Thor's, she led him out the back door onto the small porch.

"What is it I may assist you with, Doctor Thorpe?" Thor asked as the door shut behind them.

"Well, to begin with, you could tell me what is troubling you," she suggested, looking up into the stormy blue of his eyes.

"What do you mean?" he sputtered.

"Thor, it doesn't take a therapist to see that something has upset you. You can talk to me about it if you like; I swear it will go no farther."

"I see you are as wise as friend Stark has said," he replied ruefully, running his hand through his long blond hair. After a moment, she saw him reach a decision as he turned to her again. "Is it true? Did Loki really try to end his own life?"

"I was not there," she began carefully, "but it certainly seems that way to me. Your brother was in the midst of a psychological crisis. The entire fabric of his life had just been revealed to be a lie."

"I didn't know about any of that," Thor told her, voice earnest. "Loki was always different, but I never imagined that he was adopted, much less of a different race! Had I known, I would have done more to make sure that he felt welcome and at home on Asgard."

"Perhaps you should have done that anyway," she gently reproved him. "Being different is difficult enough for children or even adults."

"You did not know Loki," Thor shook his head. "He was not an easy person to assist. His pride is prickly and his wit biting. Sometimes it seemed that he was daring the others to torment him. Still, I could have done more, you are correct. And I should have sensed something was wrong. But I was away! Father had exiled me, you see."

"I am aware," she nodded.

"Loki tried to speak up for me when I was exiled, but he was silenced. No one tried to speak against Odin a second time, unless they were a fool, and that he has never been. When he came to visit me here on Earth and told me that Father was dead and Mother refused to see me, that was the lowest I have ever felt in my life."

"It was a cruel thing to do," Caroline sighed, feeling for them both. "I cannot excuse it, but perhaps I can offer some explanation."

"Please."

"He was afraid," she said simply.

"Of what?" Thor looked baffled.

"Of you, Thor. You hated Frost Giants. You had just been banished for trying to exterminate them. If you returned, how could he be sure that you would not continue that plan down to the last Jotun living in your family's home?"

"I would never kill Loki!"

"I know that," she said, sensing it was true. "But think of how he must have been feeling. His world upside down, Odin falling asleep before he could ease the knowledge, Frigga consumed with caring for her husband. There was no one he could talk to. His secret was shameful in his eyes, and it came just at the same time ultimate power was thrust into his hands. Who could possibly handle all of that gracefully? Loki lashed out because he was in pain himself."

"I was so angry when I returned," Thor's face was screwed up with the memory. "He had tried to kill me, to kill our friends. And then, when I arrived, he was about to commit genocide!"

"He was about to do the very thing you attempted just days before."

"True, but it was Loki who counselled against it!"

"That was before he knew what he really was."

"Why would he do it?" Thor asked. "He knew it was against Father's wishes."

"I think it is three-fold," she explained slowly. "One, he wanted to vanquish the enemy to prove to Asgard that he was a worthy successor to Odin, making the realm safe as you had wanted to do. Two, it would prove to those who knew his shame, as he saw it, that his loyalty was to the world that raised him rather than the one in which he was born."

"And three?" Thor asked as she hesitated.

"And three, I believe that subconsciously he wanted to kill them in hopes that it would kill the Jotun within himself. It is not a rational motive, but surely you can see how one might seek to blot out what they saw as their secret shame in this way?"

"It makes some sense, what you say," Thor concurred at last. "I thought, when he let go, that he was merely seeking the easy way out. He had pretended before, during our battle. Hanging on to the edge of the rainbow bridge, he had called out to me as a brother, only to dissolve into an illusion when I tried to help him. I thought the plunge into the abyss to be some trick of this sort, that he was hiding away to make us suffer. It was the type of thing he might have done, only to reappear a day or two later. When he didn't emerge, I was distraught, thinking his prank had gone awry and that he was dead indeed."

"It may have been easier if was," she said sadly. "Your brother faced some horrible months, Thor. I will not betray his confidences and tell you of them, and in truth I do not know the whole, but you might ask him, some time, what he suffered after his fall."

"You have given me much to think on," Thor said. "I am glad to know that Loki is not the villain I had feared he had become, but at the same time I find I may not be the hero I had hoped to be."

"It is not that simple, Thor. No one is completely a villain or hero, or at least very few. We all have shadings in us. Sometimes it just takes others believing in us to make us choose the right path."

"I am glad that my brother has you to believe in him," Thor told her, taking her hand between his two large ones. "There is a lightness to Loki's countenance that I have not seen in some time. It is not hard to discern that you are the reason for that change. I will forever be in your debt for that. You are a good doctor."

"It has been my pleasure to help your brother see the light within himself," she blushed at the complement. "Though, to be honest, I stopped being his doctor some time ago. Our relationship is a bit more complicated now."

"I inferred as much from your position when we arrived," he said with a twinkle. "Once I realized that you were there willingly, of course."

"Of course," her blush deepened. "Quite willingly."

"I am doubly glad. You have my full support and blessing."

"Thank you, but I do not know if it is anything that serious," she added, not wanting to give a false impression.

"I know my brother, Dr. Thorpe - Caroline, if I may?" he asked and she nodded. "Loki's feelings for you are quite serious. That is writ plain all over his face, and your clothing. In fact, if I keep you out here any longer, he may just try to end my life again."

"Well, we wouldn't want that," she laughed, heart soaring. "Shall we go inside?"

"Yes, and thank you, for helping me to understand."

***

Loki's jaw clenched as he watched Thor escorting Caroline outside. It wasn't that he didn't trust his brother with her, or that he thought her eye might wander, he merely preferred to have her attention focused on him. He had only just found her; he was not ready to share her with the wider world.

"You and the doc, huh? Didn't see that one coming."

Loki looked over to where Stark was helping himself to a glass of the brown liquor. He was developing a grudging respect for the man - he was quick for a mortal - but that didn't mean he was willing to let him get away with disrespect.

"You will watch what you say about Caroline," he made his voice regal and impressive, but the irksome man just grinned in response.

"So, it's not just convenience then? I had to say, I was wondering. After all, she did come with the shiny blue teleporter. Gotta say you have good taste though. Much better than your taste in scotch, by the way. This is sorely lacking."

"Feel free to not drink it," Loki snarled as Stark tipped back the drink despite its inadequacies.

"Needs must," Tony shrugged. "How did you convince her to spring you? I've been working with her for years now and she always played by the rules before."

"I did not attempt to convince her," Loki answered honestly, enjoying the truth. "In fact, she was quite insistent on helping me. It appears as though I have a draw you are clearly lacking."

"Huh. Maybe it's the horns. You know... symbolism and all. Tell me, is the length indicative, or are you overcompensating?"

"I do not care to discuss my relationship with Caroline with you, Stark," he ground out, but could not resist adding, "as for my physical endowments, suffice to say that the lady had no complaints."

"Well, here's to that!" Stark poured himself another glass and downed it with a toast. "How do you drink this swill?"

"I don't," Loki informed him. "I rarely bother with your Midgardian liquors. Only a child would feel any affect from them."

"Really? What do you drink then?"

With a twist of his hand Loki produced a decanter full of his favorite Asgardian brandy. The deep reddish brown caught the light of the fireplace as he poured it into two snifters that had materialized on table. Stark picked up a glass, swirling it to bring out the flavors before taking sip.

"Now that is what I'm talking about!" he said, savoring the taste.

"Careful, Stark," Loki warned. "This is not a drink for children."

"Good thing I'm all grown up then. Damn, that's good!"

Loki chuckled, relaxing a bit as he sipped his beverage. Really, the man was not all bad. As long as he kept his tongue in check about Caroline, Loki could almost like him. They polished off the first glasses rather quickly, and Loki refilled for them both. He was feeling a familiar rosy glow spread through his limbs. It had been some time since he had relaxed in this fashion. While not as desiresome and intimate as his time spent with Caroline, there was nonetheless something pleasing about sharing a drink with a person in comradery. Before he knew it, they were exchanging stories and laughing like old friends. Only a small part of his brain remained nagging him about Thor and Caroline outside colluding.

"You mean to tell me, if I had simply tapped you an inch in any direction, the scepter would have worked?" he asked in horror as Stark finished explaining the mechanism that kept him alive.

"Swear on Jarvis' life," Tony replied, lifting up his t-shirt to reveal the glowing circle implanted in his chest. "Good thing you're not persistent."

"Good thing you're obnoxious, more like," Loki countered, reaching over to poke at the reactor.

"Um... are we interrupting something?"

Loki turned around to smile at Caroline as she and Thor walked back into the room. She looked so beautiful with the way the cold brought additional color to her cheeks. With a gesture that was a bit more elaborate than it strictly needed to be, he removed the winter wear he had dressed her in, leaving her once more in the t-shirt and shorts that he preferred.

"Does he do that all the time?" Tony demanded as Caroline shrieked in surprise.

"It can be convenient," she allowed, smiling as she walked over to stand near the fire. "A bit high handed, but useful. I see you two are getting along."

"I was just telling Houdini here how close he came to winning his idiotic war against humanity."

"I would not have enjoyed that," Loki said, having had time to consider the idea. "It was much more enjoyable to throw you out the window."

"Why do I feel like I should be offended?" Tony asked, not sounding offended in the least.

"Oh, come on Tony," Caroline laughed as Loki drew her down onto his lap and nuzzled against her neck. "I highly doubt he's the first person to want to defenestrate you. I can personally recall a couple of occasions when the thought might have run through my mind."

"You mean that, Loki?" Thor asked, his voice serious amongst the lighthearted tone in the room. "You are glad you did not win against us?"

"I certainly was doing my best to fail," he confessed candidly. "I all but wrote you a dissertation describing my strategy, brother. Do you really think I could lead no better assault than that?"

Wordlessly, Thor crossed the room and embraced him, an awkward feat since Caroline was perched on his knee. Loki was taken aback for a moment, but slowly he felt his eyes growing suspiciously moist. Blinking away the proof of the sentiment, he raised his arm to return Thor's hug, cautiously allowing the hard knot that had lodged in his heart to loosen ever so slightly.

"I should not have doubted you," Thor told him, holding the side of his face in a gesture Loki had experienced a thousand times. "Forgive me, brother."

"Yeah, the guy did still throw me out a window," Tony chimed in.

"I forgive you," Loki said, ignoring the mortal now lying on his sofa. "And for my part, I am sorry for what I said to you in your cell. About Odin and Frigga. You know Mother would never turn her back on you."

"I should have remembered that. As I should have asked you what had happened when you fell from the Bifrost."

Loki had to be careful or the swelling in his chest would overcome him. He knew how rare it was for Thor to apologize, not that he was in the habit of doing it himself. Wordlessly he looked at the beautiful woman in his arms.

She had done this for him. Not only had she freed him physically from his cell, but she had opened the cell in which he had imprisoned his emotions. Now, thanks to her, he had his brother back, he was closer than he had been in ages to making a friend, and he was hopelessly, dazzlingly in love.

He was happy, he realized. Happier than he had been for as long as he could remember. Which was surely why deep down he was also terrified.

#Loki #Loki/OFC #post avengers assemble #Loki needs therapy #Loki gets therapy #Loki needs a hug #Loki gets a hug #smut in previous chapters #talk of past suicide attempt #mentions of past trauma #Thor #tony stark #healing #love #slow burn #Loki Fan Fic

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architeuthis3 · 3 months

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Family of Lashawn Thompson Demands Justice After He Was “Eaten Alive” by Insects in Atlanta Jail STORYAPRIL 18, 2023. Democracy Now! https://www.democracynow.org/2023/4/18/lashawn_thompson_atlanta_jail_eaten_alive

Transcript This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. AMY GOODMAN: We begin today’s show in Atlanta, Georgia, where over 600 prisoners are being transferred from the Fulton County Jail after the family of a Black prisoner said he was “eaten alive” by insects and bedbugs in his cell there last year. The family of 35-year-old Lashawn Thompson, who was being held in the jail’s psychiatric wing, is demanding a criminal investigation and that the jail should be shut down. On Monday, several of the jail’s executive staff resigned, including the chief jailer, assistant chief jailer and members of the criminal investigative division. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said in a statement, quote, “It’s clear to me that it’s time, past time, to clean house.” In an earlier statement, the sheriff said, quote, “it’s fair to say that this is one of the many cases that illustrate the desperate need for expanded and better mental health services.”

This Thursday, the family and community members will rally outside the jail as awareness about the conditions there and this case grow. Photos shared with Democracy Now! by the lawyer for Lashawn Thompson show filthy conditions in what’s believed to be Thompson’s cell, where he was found dead on September 19th last year. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report said Thompson’s cell was in, quote, “extremely poor condition with insect infection and other filthiness around him” and had a, quote, “severe bedbug infestation.” The Fulton County’s autopsy noted, quote, “The body is infested with an enormous number of small insects that are 2 mm in length.” Thompson’s cause of death is listed as undetermined.

Perhaps most shocking is a graphic image released by the family’s lawyer that shows Thompson’s face at the time of his death. His family has asked that the world see it, and with a warning to our viewers, we are showing it briefly now.

Lashawn Thompson’s death came after he had been held for three months on a misdemeanor charge and was put in the jail’s psychiatric wing after officials determined he was mentally ill. The corrections officer who wrote the incident report about his death noted, quote, “I have communicated with mental health staff about the living conditions of inmate Thompson on previous dates.”

For more, we’re joined in a global TV/radio/podcast broadcast exclusive by three guests. In Atlanta, Michael Harper is a lawyer representing Lashawn Thompson’s family. In Florida, we’re joined by Lashawn’s sister Shenita Thompson, and Lashawn’s brother Brad McCrae is in Montgomery, Alabama.

We welcome you all to Democracy Now! Brad, I want to start with you. You are Lashawn’s brother. We really weighed whether to show that photograph, that your family wants the world to see, of your brother’s head. And I’m wondering if you can talk about why you felt it was critical that the world see it.

BRAD McCRAE: Yes, ma’am. First off, I want to say good morning and thanks for having me on.

As far as with the photo, my personal feelings and emotion about the photos was Emmett Till. I thought about Emmett Till. It broke my heart to see those photos. And we wanted the world to see it, so the world can feel it, and the world can wake up and see what’s going on out here and get behind it and make a change. Make a change. We want the world to wake up and make a change.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: I’d like to ask Shenita Thompson, the sister of Lashawn Thompson, when you first heard of what had happened to your brother, and your reaction when you realized the conditions that he was in.

SHENITA THOMPSON: When I first found out what happened to my brother, it just, like, broke my heart. Just to see the conditions that he was in, and especially the photos, just to see all the bugs in his face, his eyes, his nose, like, it really, really broke my heart just to see him like that and what he went through. Yeah.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And also, I’d like to ask Brad McCrae: The fact that the sheriff of Fulton County is now saying he vows to clean house, what’s your reaction to the actions of law enforcement subsequent to your brother’s death?

BRAD McCRAE: Well, I want to thank the sheriff for trying to clean house and do everything that he feels like he could do. I wish it was done earlier. I wish it would have been done so my brother might still be here, but I want to thank the sheriff for what he’s trying to do. And he’s trying to make it right on his behalf, but we’ve got a long way to go, and I hope it keeps going forward.

AMY GOODMAN: I want to point out, Brad, that, for our listeners, you are wearing a T-shirt that says “In Loving Memory,” and there’s a beautiful picture of your brother Lashawn on your shirt. Were you — and I also want to ask Shenita — if you both were in communication with him, if you were able to talk to him when he was in the jail? Shenita, let’s start with you. Did he talk to you about the bedbugs, the insects, the infestation, the conditions of the jail?

SHENITA THOMPSON: Like my brother had previously said, we didn’t even know he was in jail, so…

AMY GOODMAN: So the horror of this. A report by the Southern Center for Human Rights found at least 10 people died at the Fulton County Jail last year, and said, quote, “The Fulton County Jail has been understaffed and mismanaged for decades, leading to multiple lawsuits and consent decrees, but the problems have been particularly acute in recent months as Fulton County Sheriff Labat has failed to maintain even existing staff. On September 21st, Labat stated that he had lost more staff than he was able to hire, and as of October 10th there were at least 155 staff vacancies.”

The American Civil Liberties Union has issued a report on how to quickly depopulate the jail, that said, quote, “Fulton County’s failure to account for people’s ability to pay when setting bail is a significant factor in the number of people held in jail,” and found at least 12% of the people were held there due to “inability to pay bail — meaning a wealthier individual with the same charges and bail amount would be released.” Some were held for over two years.

Which brings us to Michael Harper, the attorney for Lashawn’s family. Michael, can you talk about why we are just learning about this case now, and the significance, the impact it has had, I mean, removing 600 prisoners? Talk about what you understand happened, how Lashawn was in that mental health unit of the jail, if you can call it that, what the autopsy means, the photographs that you have that are so horrific.

MICHAEL HARPER: Yeah. Good morning.

Let me start with the photographs, because there is some talk from the sheriff about the authenticity of those photographs and where they came from. Those horrific photographs came directly from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s jail death investigation that was provided to the family from the County Medical Examiner’s Office. They are the exact photos of the cell that Lashawn Thompson was housed in when he died. They are horrible.

But what happened here, as you noted, the jail knew that Lashawn Thompson had mental health issues in June of 2022. They put him in a psychiatric wing of that jail and neglected him. He was there for three months. There are reports, in the incident report from the death, that the officers, as you alluded to, were aware that he was declining, he was in a filthy cell. They complained to their superiors, and nothing happened. He was there until he died, and his body was found infested with those horrible bedbug bites and lice and insects. It is just beyond tragic, what happened to him. He’s mentally ill. He was not able, we believe, to contact his family. He was not able to speak for himself. They held him there. It was their responsibility to make sure he was safe and to make sure that his cell was clean. And remember, Lashawn Thompson was a pretrial detainee. He had not been convicted of any crime. He was being held there until he got his day in court. So they had an obligation to make sure that he was safe.

The new information about the sheriff cleaning house and moving inmates, that’s a wonderful thing to happen. But Lashawn Thompson died in September of last year. The sheriff was well aware of this case then. We believe the measures that he’s taken now are solely based on the international outrage of Lashawn Thompson’s death. We appreciate any change to keep inmates safe, but it should have happened before Lashawn Thompson died, and certainly after he died, before the media attention.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: Well, Michael Harper, you’ve represented others who died in the same facility, including William Barnett, a man charged with stealing a lawnmower, and also Antonio May, in 2018, who was beaten to death by six detention officers. Talk about these two related cases and what it indicates about how law enforcement has been dealing with this jail now for years.

MICHAEL HARPER: Yeah, there’s certainly a systemic issue of abuse and neglect at the Fulton County Jail here in Atlanta. Antonio May’s case was horrific. This is a man who also went into the jail with mental health issues. They were well aware. It’s well documented he had mental health issues. He was in a holding cell. When he first came in to be processed, he began removing his clothing, and he allegedly would not put his clothing back on when instructed to by the detention officers. For that small infraction, the DART team, the specialized team at the jail, Direct Action Response Team, went into his holding cell, tased him nine times in a minute and a half, beat him, put him in a restraint chair, took him to a shower area to wash the pepper spray off his face, and his heart went out. And they literally watched him, tied down to a restraint chair. And they had extra restraints. The evidence in that case showed that not just the restraints on the restraint chair, but they used additional restraints, against jail policy. And while he was restrained in that manner, his heart went out in front of them, and he died restrained in that chair. Just a horrific case for such a small, minor infraction.

William Barnett, another tragic case, went to the jail on a misdemeanor. The jail was aware that he had a chemical imbalance. He had low potassium. They sent him out, because he had some health issues, sent him out to the hospital. When he came back to the jail, the instructions from the hospital was for the jail to monitor William Barnett, check his potassium level to make sure that he did not decline. They did nothing. They never gave him more potassium. They never monitored him. And he was found unresponsive, went into cardiac arrest in his cell and died. I mean, these are just inexcusable, horrific deaths.

And let me also say this about the sheriff wanting a new jail. We applaud that, and we agree that we probably need a new jail in Fulton County, but these cases are about neglect. A new jail is not going to stop neglectful detention officers from not caring for mentally ill people. They have to do more training. They have to make sure that the officers are following policy to help those who are least served.

AMY GOODMAN: We wanted to end again with the family of Lashawn. Brad, you’re in Montgomery, in a studio in Alabama, a historic place, where Rosa Parks led the Montgomery bus boycott. You’re not far from Bryan Stevenson’s lynching museum. And, Shenita, I want to begin with your description of your brother. You’re in Winter Haven, Florida. Isn’t that where Lashawn grew up? Can you talk about Lashawn? And also, was he able to get help for his schizophrenia?

SHENITA THOMPSON: Yes, he grew up in Winter Haven, Florida. He went to Winter Haven High School. He loved music. He loved listening to his headphones, and he was always dealing with his headphones. He loved just music and stuff. Getting help for his mental health, yes, he was. But, you know, with mental health, it is hard. It’s just — it’s just heartbreaking, what happened. I’m sorry.

AMY GOODMAN: And, Brad, how do you want us to remember your brother Lashawn?

BRAD McCRAE: Yes, ma’am. I want the world to remember him as I do, as a loving person, a playful person. He loved music. He loved to cook. I want the world to remember him as their cousin, their brother, their uncle, or whatever the case may be, because it could happen to their family, just like it happened to mine.

AMY GOODMAN: And finally, Michael Harper, there’s going to be a major protest outside the Fulton County Jail on Thursday. Can you talk about what you are demanding and if you have filed suit on behalf of Lashawn?

MICHAEL HARPER: We have not filed any civil suit yet. Right now we’re just trying to raise awareness and bring attention to this horrific case. The rally will be to call for a criminal investigation into the death of Lashawn Thompson. It’s fine to clean house. It is fine to make changes. But someone needs to be held responsible for the horrible neglect that Lashawn Thompson underwent. So we want a criminal investigation into this case. We will also demand that the jail is closed down and that Fulton County builds a new jail. We’re calling the Department of Justice in Washington to launch a civil rights investigation into the jail, as well. And there will be other community leaders there. The Georgia NAACP will be there. A lot of community leaders will be there. This is our jail in Fulton County, and we have to make change.

AMY GOODMAN: Well, we want to thank you all so much for being with us, Michael Harper, the lawyer for Lashawn Thompson’s family, and Lashawn Thompson’s family, sister Shenita Thompson, speaking to us from Winter Haven, Florida, and Lashawn’s brother Brad McCrae, speaking to us from Montgomery, Alabama. Thank you so much. Our condolences to you both.

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imaginedreamwrite · 2 years

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Might be a little late on asylum steve but here is a thought. nurse reader maybe runs activities and Steve always sits right next to her and schooches his chair to be almost thigh touching. since the proximity reader always helps and talks to Steve about his activity and such. I have a feeling reader may be some sort of therapist background and has clearence to touch patients to make them feel more comfortable too

Drabble plz?

“You’re stuck with the activity today.” The head nurse handed you a stack of canvasses and the charts, the necessary tools for the mandated painting hour the head psychiatric therapist vowed would help the residents.

“Again?” You glanced at the blank canvasses and the charts, sighing at the stack in your arms. “It seems like I’m always getting stuck with the activities.”

“Do I need to remind you of good bedside manner? I thought you said you’d done this before?” The charge nurse scowled at you, her expression dour.

“I’ve working at a military hospital before-“

“So you’re just lazy?” She scoffed and rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath about the new nurses and then she had made her departure, leaving you alone with the task you’d been stuck with for the past week.

Unable to protest without risking losing your job, you sighed heavily and turned on your heel, walking from the desk to the designated room set aside for the activity, and nudged the door open with your hip. You had sparsely gotten through the door when footsteps had come toward you and the handsome hero of the war just a year prior, had come to assist you as usual.

“Painting today,” he hummed as he grabbed the canvas from you, setting them in his own arms, “are you that creative?”

“I think I’m being punished,” you retort, setting the charts out of patients hands, “it seems I do more of this than anything.”

“Or you’re good with people.” Steve had countered, standing a little too close behind you, his chest brushing against your back. “You’re a sweetheart.”

“Mr. Rogers-“

“Steve,” he corrected and brushed your hair off your shoulder, “call me Steve, remember? And I mean it, you’re a real angel of mercy.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” you turned against your better judgement, standing chest to chest as he had leaned in, his hands brushing against your hips and your white nurses dress, “I need to set up.”

“I’ll help you,” Steve leaned in further, keeping one hand against your hip and the other had first grazed your cheek and then cupped your chin, “its what I do.”

“You help all the nurses?” You shivered.

“I help my best girl.”

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carrotzcake · 2 years

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In one week, my cousin is getting married. this will be the first time I've seen some of my extended family in over 5 years, the first time I've seen nearly all of them since being fully weight restored and after numerous psychiatric hospitalizations which they inadvertendly became aware of through nonsensical social media posts last year. we don't discuss these things in my family so I don't know who knows what which makes me extremely uncomfortable. obviously the focus is on the bride and groom but I'll be forced to make small talk with people about what I do, etc. which brings up a lot of guilt and shame since I'm not at all where I want to be in life.

meanwhile the food/alcohol/body situation is already stressing me out. I tried on a dress this morning that my mom bought me at a thrift store (w/ the additional comment about my body and how 'if anyone can fit into this, it's you'). it doesn't fit. maybe w/ some assistance, I'd be able to zip it, but it's yet another reminder that my body has changed into something unrecognizable. i know if i drink at this wedding, my immediate family will be angry with me. i don't particularly want to drink but i wish they trusted me to make my own decisions.

i'm overthinking it, i know i'm overthinking it. i just need to breathe and focus on my family. i love all my cousins and my extended family and truthfully, i know everyone will just be joyful. except maybe my mom.

in other news, i started a new job. still food service, but a little nicer, seems like a better team to work with and I'll be getting paid more. i think i'm still going to keep my original job and just adjust hours. part of that is because i feel bad quitting, but also have a lot of financial anxiety. i finally got ahold of unemployment this week and hopefully i'll start seeing some of that money soon. i try to apply for research/professional jobs in my field when i have the time/energy-i was actually invited to interview for a research job w/ an eating disorder lab this week. i disclosed my history in my application & that may be the only place it will benefit me. since my therapist ghosted me, i've also been trying to find other providers so I have a couple of consults this week too. which reminds me i need to select a marketplace insurance plan, not that any of my providers will accept that.

my life kind of feels like one week, things are moving in the right direction; i'm productive, i apply for jobs or have interviews, i am relatively social or otherwise content w/ self-care and alone time w/ Nutmeg. then i look around and see i'm not where i want to be at this stage in my life and i just want to crawl into a hole forever.

/end ranty update.

#personal #life update #family

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minimallycreative · 1 year

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Please call a hotline or see if you can find some low-cost counselling or therapy services. I strongly believe you're dealing with some mental health issues but are mistakenly attributing it to DID. Either that, or you are faking or pretending you have some other (fake) "kind" of plurality, because you feel like you need attention, which might also be due to personal problems. Please get help.

Anon-

Either you are an adult of varying age, who, perhaps thinks they are being kind to a stranger (a child no less!). or perhaps you are a fellow teenager who is younger than I, thinking they are fighting the good fight. I am inclined to think that you are the former because, 1) that amuses me greatly and, 2) the idea that there are 13 years olds on Tumblr at this very moment makes me feel a variety of uncertain emotions.

Nevertheless your age, I thank you for your concern about my health and sanity. These times we live in are not very good for keeping up sanity and we must all look out for each other. I am further grateful that you have sent this to me for it is not I who is in need of help, it is you, I fear. You see, I am a known attention whore, but unlike you, I make it clear to those around me that I need affection. You seem to be thriving off of feeling morally superior on the internet, where you don't need to show your face or even your name. I suggest you take your own advice and find psychiatric assistance so that you may no longer make posts such as this in a desperate call to attention in what is maybe the worst way to do it.

oh and also, if you had read literally any of our other posts, you would know that we have been in 1 on 1 therapy for more than half a decade. and not that i owe you anything, but my lovely therapist (who is a mental health professional) has diagnosed us with DID. so you know, maybe fuck off, and fix your own issues before projecting them onto the internet. Jealousy isn't a good look on anyone darling <3

-- the nebula system, with love (spencer is fronting)

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bbg100 · 1 year

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I think a lot of people go into compassionate professions without really considering what that means

If being nice is part of your job- and I'm not talking service with a smile, that's crap, I mean welfare, therapy, food banks, debt assistance, churches, etc etc... Then you have to grapple what that kindness means.

If you want to help the homeless, psychiatric patients, troubled youth, the elderly, etc etc etc...they don't owe you politeness. They don't owe you kindness. And they may speak kindness in languages you don't understand without effort.

You have to truly let go of the savior mindset- and I'm Not just talking about white saviorism here. If you're planning to help a group you aren't a part of, you need to accept that it's going to be rough and surprising.

There's stories on here about homeless people trashing restrooms because it's all they can control. About old men in elderly care sexually harassing their caregivers. I've personally experienced the kind of cruelty that someone who needs help can't help putting out.

You have to find it in you to either professionally do your job anyway, or to love the assholes of the world. You have to find ways to take care of yourself and to regularly flush the bitterness from you. You can't treat people as a monolith.

You have to treat them all as complex people. And then you have to continue providing vital help even when they are ungrateful, rude, jackasses.

Because they don't owe you gratefulness, kindness, or a personal anything. They are subjecting themselves to the terrible ordeal of needing help. Their issues aren't about you, but so help me your ass better not make it worse.

So yeah. Anyway. You can help people without commiting to a career. You can volunteer, even sometimes paid, to get the good deed emotion without the harder parts. But if you make the decision to put your life into this, you have a duty to not be an asshole no matter what you're going through. Sincerely, good luck.

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rielzero · 2 years

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Is there a community for fellow folks with Mutism out there?

I’m struggling to google proper search results, majority I get are ablest articles, stuff that’s only about ‘’selective’’ mutism my mutism isn’t really due something psychological, its because of a medical problem (chronic pain) which has made me lose my voice. It’s been 2+ years now and I’ve been dealing with a lot of ableism especially from people in psychiatrics field, and as an already disabled person its really annoying that every ‘’professional’’ I come across treats the disability as if it only exists out of fear. Even before losing my voice, I started talking less because small talk would result in me being unable to function for a week, it made me physical ill. I’m serious about how painful it was.

As someone diagnosed with neurodivergence (Autism) and having a background of trauma caused by psychiatrists prescribing me with pills that I didn’t need- I have a hard time trusting any certified person with a psychiatrics certificate or diploma in my country. I have experienced a lot of abuse that I won’t dig into, but my muteness was not caused by trauma or emotions.

Throughout my childhood, I had a period were I was mute because speaking physically pained me. I did get pressured into speaking, and I was a chatter-mouth. So of course, along comes training to make sure I can ‘’control’’ my volume. The issue is, my voice echoed through my head. Werther I whispered, talked slow, or talked erratically or excitedly. There really was no point of ‘’no tension’’ every version, every time. Werther I was happy or not, I experienced a lot of tension in my throat (area of the vocal chords) and subsequently this gave me headaches due the echo thing.

I lost my voice entirely somewhere in late 2020, and ever since I’ve been struggling with how my family treats me. Or how other people view it. They want something from me I can no longer give. It hurts physically. It gave me migraines. I’ve tried regaining it, but the doctor said it as it is: chronic pain. There’s no cure for it. Training it isn’t an option, because I’ve tried doing that my entire life, and the older I got, the worse it got.

I can still laugh and make sounds, but I still need to tone that down and keep an eye on it, because it still causes a lot pain. Just less than actively using my vocal chords to make sentences and speaking did. As for independency, I actually manage just fine. People aren’t rude when I use speech assistant or a note app, no one asks questions. Sometimes they might assume I’m deaf, but it is clear not many people understand the diversity of disabilities. I have no trouble taking care of myself. My friends are empathetic and don’t need me to be vocal to communicate with me. We still enjoy spending time together. They are very supportive and understanding.

..Most of the time as I mentioned, people make up a story that its fear oriented. I wasn’t ever really afraid of speaking. The pain came first, there’s no fear involved. I simply know and am aware of the consequences if I try and make myself speak or laugh a little too hard. Flashes, white spots, migraine.

I need to know if there’s fellow non-verbal folks out there who may have some advice on how to deal with people who keep trying to push me in a specific category in regards to this disability. Because its frustrating and annoying that I have to repeat myself that its chronic pain and anything else. If I could speak, I honestly would because its easier! Right? But I can’t anymore.

What I really don’t miss is the pain. It’s not as if I haven’t tried doing it again, but every attempt is met with a grunt and the worst headache. I don’t want to become immune to painkillers again, or have to take them every day because of one single 5 minute conversation I have to have for someone else’s convenience. I already struggled with ableism in regards to my autism. And my ex-therapist acted as if I wasn’t disabled and 100% capable of adulting.. It’s like. You what? You think I can step in a train alone without having a panic attack? You think I can work a regular job 48 hours a week without collapsing in the first hour? This is why she’s fired, pff. But she’s also fired because she too was obsessed with my muteness and would constantly derail and stress me out by forcing me to repeat myself. It’s like she couldn’t fucking listen and wasted my time. It’s Chronic pain. It has nothing to do with fear or anxiety. I function fine when I go outside, I just can’t do everything on my own yet. I have physical disabilities that are not visible, energy related amongst other things. My senses are easily overloaded. Does anyone have some advice- (non-verbal folks) on how to deal with this? How do I keep them from forcing me to repeat this conversation until it actually clicks in their head? In the Netherlands, the psychiatrics and therapy related social workers are often really not qualified because they aren’t empathetic or they have some sort of ego going on. I have been physically and verbally abused by majority of them during my life. There are organizations that still exist to this day that really shouldn’t. It’s something widely discussed, literally all my friends have dealt with this in some form. You go there for discussing cptsd, but they can’t help but hyper focus on an entirely different thing. They you like a child once they hear you have autism. You literally get talked to as if you’re a baby even when you glare at them.

It’s extremely dehumanizing. I know the problems I have. I know what I don’t have.

#mutism #non verbal #autism #neurodivergent #advice needed #incompetent psychiatrists #netherlands

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meret118 · 2 years

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One Instagram post said, "988 is not friendly. Don't call it, don't post it, don't share it, without knowing the risks." The post, which had garnered nearly a quarter of a million likes as of early August, went on to list the risks as police involvement, involuntary treatment at emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitals, and the emotional and financial toll of those experiences.

Other posts on Instagram and Twitter conveyed similar concerns, saying that the hotline sends law enforcement officers to check on people at risk of suicide without their consent and that people, especially from LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color, may be forced into treatment.

. . .

"I realize there is an urge to rescue people in crisis, but the reality is the services that exist make the problem much, much worse," said Winston, who works in mental health peer support and has started an online support group for people recovering from involuntary treatment.

Research shows suicide rates increase drastically in the months after people are discharged from psychiatric hospitals. Those who were sent involuntarily are more likely to attempt suicide than those who chose to go, and involuntary commitments can make young people less likely to disclose their suicidal feelings in the future. Some people also get stuck with large bills for treatment they didn't want.

Emily Krebs, a suicide researcher and assistant professor joining Fordham University this fall, said that involuntary treatment is viewed as a necessary part of suicide prevention in the U.S., but that other countries don't see it that way. The United Nations has called forced mental health treatment a human rights abuse and asked countries to ban it.

. . .

"Warm" lines are one option. They're typically staffed by "peers," people who have experienced mental health challenges. They focus less on crisis intervention and more on emotional support to prevent crises. You can find a directory of warm lines by state here.

Below are other hotlines and resources. This is not a comprehensive list, and some resources may limit their services geographically.

Blackline is a hotline geared toward the Black, Black LGBTQ+, brown, Native, and Muslim communities

Kiva Centers offers daily online peer support groups

M.H. First Oakland and M.H. First Sacramento operate during select weekend hours in the California cities of Oakland and SacramentoPeer Support Space hosts virtual peer support groups twice a day Monday through SaturdayProject

LETS provides support by text for urgent issues that involve involuntary hospitalization

Samaritans of New York is a hotline based in New York CityTrans Lifeline is a hotline for trans and questioning individuals

Wildflower Alliance has a peer support line and online support groups focused on suicide prevention.

Links for above in the article.

Excerpts:

The turn away from confidentiality toward surveillance and datafication has been met with widespread criticism on other fronts. Just recently, Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit SMS-based suicide prevention program, received an outpouring of outrage after users found it was profiting off the data generated by those in crisis; the Federal Communications Commission went so far as to demand Crisis Text Line cease the practice. It did so almost immediately (and now the FCC has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate), but Crisis Text Line remains, as so many other hotlines do, in partnership with the police. Even after the protests to defund police departments and to remove police from mental health care in summer 2020, even after the World Health Organization and U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an end to forced treatment, crisis lines and police departments continue to cooperate.

We know that police violence, criminalization, and forced treatment are racialized. If historically suicidality has been understood as a white, adult, male mental state, in our contemporary moment, this is no longer the case. The fastest-growing demographic of suicidality is now Black youth ages 10 to 19, with attempts up 73 percent since 1991, while attempts among white youth declined in the same period. Meanwhile, interaction with the police while in crisis increases suicidality at the individual level and decreases trust in hotlines at the community level. Where will Black callers—and others—turn next time?

By only contracting with providers that use nonconsensual intervention, 988 guts the confidentiality that has long been a core feature of the hotline, while increasing surveillance on the most targeted and vulnerable in our communities. Not every hotline currently puts its callers at greater risk. Trans Lifeline, BlackLine, Samaritans, DASHR, MH First Oakland, and many others continue the legacy of early crisis care work, as do others not gathered under the NSPL network. They find that, for their callers to trust them and therefore receive the help they need—and only that help—the threat of nonconsensual intervention must be off the table or at least much further down the list.

#Trigger warning #Suicide #Involuntary commitment

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inapat17 · 3 days

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“Averroès et Rosa Parks” : a proposition for filming psychiatry (Nicolas Phillibert, 2024)

“Averroès et Rosa Parks” is a documentary released on March 20, 2024. It focuses on the residents of the psychiatric unity of the Esquirol hospital in Val-de-Marne. Through interviews with 10 patients and psychiatrists, Nicolas Philibert takes us into the daily lives of these people, their thoughts, anxieties, and feelings about life in a psychiatric institution.

The director of “Averroès et Rosa Parks” is Nicolas Philibert. Born in Nancy in 1951, he studied philosophy before becoming an assistant director. He soon began co-directing feature-length documentaries. The first of these was “La Voix de son maître” (1978) which interviewed major industrial CEOs and highlighted power dynamics in the world of finance. He directed films such as “La Ville Louvre” (1990), “Le Pays des sourds” (1992), “Un animal, des animaux” (1995), “Être et avoir” (2001), “Nénette” (2010), “La Maison de la radio” (2013). Films that take the time to observe and bring to life the subjects they deal with, the better to show them through the camera. He has won different prizes, has received 120 tributes and retrospectives all over the world and has become a reference in the documentary.

With “Averroès et Rosa Parks”, Nicolas Phillibert is continuing a triptych about psychiatric institutions and their residents. In 2023, “Sur l'Adamant” was released in cinemas, presenting a day center for adults suffering from mental disorders, located on a building floating on the Seine. Also attached to the Saint-Maurice hospitals, some of Adamant's patients are also featured in “Averroès et Rosa Parks”, enabling the director to establish trust with the cared-for and follow their life trajectory. In “La machine à écrire et autres sources tracas…” released two weeks ago, Nicolas Phillibert accompanies care givers to the homes of a few patients suddenly helpless when faced with a domestic problem, a broken appliance, etc...Before that, in 2001, he presented “La Moindre des choses”, about the daily lives of residents and care givers at the La Borde clinic in Loir-et-Cher.

In his film, the director plunges us into the intimate lives of the psychiatric ward's patients: how they live their daily lives in hospital, how they perceive the future, how they feel about other patients and caregivers, and how they perceive themselves... No word is put on their pathology; we don't know, but we can guess as the interviews progress. Nicolas Philibert almost never asks questions: he films meetings between patients and carers (psychiatrists), as well as ward meetings between care givers and patients devoted to raising each person's needs and creating a space for dialogue.

In the interviews, time is allowed to really understand the people involved, as well as the particular moments or processes they may be going through. For example, the unit's managers suggested that one of the residents join a shared apartment where he would have his own room. The patient questions the psychiatrists: will he be able to keep up with his medication? Will he be able to continue coming to the psychiatric integration facilities he already uses? What will his roommates be like? Will he be able to practice his religion?...While we're all familiar with these issues, the film shows how difficult it is for them to integrate into society, and the specialized support provided by hospital staff to help them. Nicolas Phillibert explains: “If mental illness is a pathology of connection, filming interviews seemed to me a good way of showing how care givers try to support those who suffer from it, and to forge with them the supports that can help them get back on their feet, get back on track, re-establish a link with the world, if not with themselves, and reintegrate into the social fabric” (trad.).

What I really liked about “Averroès and Rosa Parks” was analyzing the relationship between caregivers and patients. Observing the attitudes of the psychiatrics, the way they approach patients and give them time. Finding the right words, asking the right questions, managing social relations. More than that, the department's approach is to try to make the unit as welcoming a place as possible, so that patients can feel as good as possible. The question of affection was raised at a meeting between caregivers and patients. Several of the patients explained that affection and physical contact like hugs was one of the things they were missing. That despite the kindness and attention that carers may have, the hospital remains a rather cold, transient place, where staff don't necessarily have the time, the opportunity, or the right to respond to what the patient would like. For affection, the question is a complex one: is this the role of caregivers? How respond to a need that the hospital cannot meet?

Please note that my summary is 100 times worse than the film, so you'll have to go and see it before it's no longer in cinemas…

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rabbitcruiser · 14 days

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Bicycle Day

Despite the name, Bicycle Day is not about pedal bikes or Queen; it’s a day to recognize the scientific and psychiatric impact of the drug known as LSD.

Bicycle Day is fast approaching. And while we don’t think it’ll ever take off like Thanksgiving, the popularity of the event is growing by the year. However, it remains a day that’s lost on a lot of people while many others have the completely wrong idea of what the celebration is all about. (Hint: it’s not the obvious answer)

The event has grown at a rapid rate and is set to be bigger than ever in 2020 before enjoying continued development over the years to come. While some people may deem it a strange thing to commemorate, especially when they discover it’s not what they thought, there is no question that it’s here to stay. In truth, it has every right to too.

Just don’t try saying that tongue twister on Bicycle Day.

Learn about Bicycle Day

Given its name, you’d be forgiven for jumping to the conclusion that Bicycle Day is a celebration of the two-wheeled, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle. However, the adulation of the bike is actually reserved for World Bicycle Day – so you can put your helmet and Queen record away for a little while longer.

Bicycle Day is, incredibly, a celebration of the lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Or rather, it commemorates a discovery that LSD (and, subsequently, other psychoactive substances) can evoke significant shifts of consciousness even in low doses. It is, therefore, one of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of using the substance as a psychiatric tool, recreationally as well as in other situations.

The day is consequently celebrated in a wide range of psychedelic communities by supporters of various ages, as well as individuals (guilty!) of wanting another excuse for adding a little color to their lives – albeit in a much safer environment.

Given the importance of scientific discovery, not least its indirect impacts on further discoveries, Bicycle Day is a valid celebration that can be enjoyed by all. You don’t need to be a junkie to appreciate the development of drugs for medical reasons in recent decades. So, when exactly did that discovery take place, and how did the day become a day to be honored? Let’s find out.

History of Bicycle Day

While the day isn’t a direct celebration of bicycles, most people that learn about the day are relieved to discover that the two-world vehicles do play an integral role in the story. Even for an LSD user, the absence of a bike would just be weird.

The Famous Bike Trip

The historical event was, quite literally, a bike ‘trip’ taken by Dr. Albert Hofmann. In April 1945, the Swiss scientist accidentally discovered the effects of LSD on the human body. Three days later, he subsequently conducted an experiment in which he intentionally took a 250mcg dose of the substance before riding home with his lab assistant. During the ride home, Hofmann’s trip started with bouts of anxiety and paranoid warped thoughts that his next-door neighbor was a malevolent witch.

However, the trip would change his perceptions in a more positive manner. He later explained: “little by little I could begin to enjoy the unprecedented colors and plays of shapes that persisted behind my closed eyes. Kaleidoscopic, fantastic images surged in on me, alternating, variegated, opening and then closing themselves in circles and spirals, exploding in colored fountains, rearranging and hybridizing themselves in constant flux.”

Having been checked over by a house doctor, it was confirmed that (aside from dilated pupils) no physical alterations could be detected, thus confirming the impacts had been entirely psychological. While Hofmann had correctly predicted this after his previous encounter three days earlier, his calculations on the threshold were wildly inaccurate. That 250mg hit was over 10x the 20mg threshold dose, which probably explains why the impacts were so quick and noticeable.

It clearly didn’t do him much harm in the long-term, though, as he lived to the age of 102!

The Development of Bicycle Day

While Hofmann’s famous bike trip happened in 1945, Bicycle Day didn’t launch for another four decades! That’s one very long comedown…

The first Bicycle Day was organized and celebrated by Thomas B. Roberts, a Professor at Northern Illinois University, starting out as nothing more than a party at his DeKalb, Illinois home. Despite remaining a small scale event over the following years, it grew in popularity at a rapid rate in the early years of online interactions thanks to students spreading the word on forums and other internet platforms.

It is now an annual event that has been amplified to greater levels than ever before, with thousands celebrating it in their own ways. Even more, people are expected to join the fun year after year.

How to celebrate Bicycle Day

Following Hofmann’s discovery, LSD was subsequently the subject of intense medical research throughout the 1950s but arguably became best known for its use as a recreational drug. LSD has been a popular drug among psychedelic communities for many years, but hitting a few tabs probably isn’t the safest way to enjoy Bicycle Day. Instead, individuals are advised to recreate the psychedelic vibe minus the drug use. Fake it, don’t take it.

Solo celebrations can be as simple as sticking on some Beatles music (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is literally an acronym of LSD) while reading Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s trippy, safe, and very easy to organize.

Small gatherings are best enhanced with a few décor changes. Psychedelic hanging rugs or canvas art can work wonders. Close the drapes and use lighting in an effective way to further support the desired atmosphere. The playlist should include;

Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit,

Timothy Leary – How to Operate Your Brain,

Pixies – Where is My Mind?,

The Moody Blues – Legend of a Mind

Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze

ATB – Ecstasy

Nicki Minaj – Beez In The Trap ft. 2 Chainz

Eminem – Mushrooms

When Bicycle Day is enjoyed safely, it can be a lot of fun. Better still, there’s no major comedown, enabling an immediate return to normality. Perfect.

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drashokjbharucha · 2 months

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Unveiling the Realm of Geriatric Psychology: Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults

In a world where longevity is increasingly common, the field of geriatric psychology has emerged as a crucial domain in mental health care. As people age, they face a myriad of psychological challenges that require specialized attention and intervention. Geriatric psychology, a branch of psychology dedicated to studying and addressing the mental health needs of older adults, plays a pivotal role in promoting this demographic's well-being and quality of life. This article delves into senior psychology's essence, scope, and unique considerations in providing mental health care to older individuals.

Understanding Geriatric Psychology:

Geriatric psychology, also known as geropsychology or ageing psychology, is a specialized field within psychology that focuses on the psychological aspects of ageing and the mental health concerns prevalent among older adults. Unlike general psychology, which encompasses a wide range of age groups, senior psychology is tailored to meet the distinctive needs of individuals in the later stages of life. It encompasses various aspects of psychological well-being, including cognition, emotion, behaviour, and social interactions, within the context of ageing.

I. The Significance of Geriatric Psychology

1.1. Addressing Mental Health Concerns:

Older adults often experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia, which can significantly impact their overall well-being and functioning. Geriatric psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat these conditions effectively, helping older individuals cope with the challenges of ageing and maintain a good quality of life.

1.2. Enhancing Quality of Life:

By providing tailored interventions and support, senior psychologists aim to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Whether through individual therapy, group counselling, or community programs, these professionals help seniors navigate life transitions, manage chronic illnesses, and cultivate resilience in adversity.

1.3. Promoting Healthy Aging:

Geriatric psychology emphasizes the importance of proactive interventions aimed at promoting healthy ageing and preventing mental health problems before they escalate. Through education, advocacy, and outreach efforts, geriatric psychologists empower older adults to adopt positive lifestyle choices, engage in meaningful activities, and maintain social connections, fostering resilience and well-being in later life.

II. Scope of Geriatric Psychology

2.1. Assessment and Diagnosis:

Geriatric psychologists employ various assessment tools and techniques to evaluate older adults' mental health and cognitive functioning. These assessments may include comprehensive neuropsychological testing, psychiatric evaluations, and behavioural observations to identify underlying issues and develop appropriate treatment plans.

2.2. Psychotherapy and Counseling:

Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of senior psychology treatment, with approaches tailored to older clients' unique needs and circumstances. Cognitive-behavioural therapy, supportive counselling, reminiscence therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions are among the therapeutic modalities commonly utilized to address a range of psychological concerns in older adults.

2.3. Caregiver Support and Education:

Geriatric psychologists also play a vital role in supporting caregivers who assist older adults, particularly those with chronic illnesses or cognitive impairments. By offering education, coping strategies, and respite care resources, geriatric psychologists help caregivers navigate the challenges of caregiving while preserving their well-being.

III. Considerations in Geriatric Psychology

3.1. Cultural Sensitivity:

Cultural factors significantly influence older adults' experiences and perceptions of ageing and mental health. Geriatric psychologists must demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity in their practice, recognizing and respecting the diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, and values within the ageing population.

3.2. Multidisciplinary Collaboration:

Given the complex nature of ageing-related issues, geriatric psychologists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care to older adults. Interdisciplinary teamwork ensures a holistic approach to addressing older individuals' physical, emotional, and social needs.

3.3. Ethical Considerations:

Ethical dilemmas may arise in geriatric psychology concerning autonomy, decision-making capacity, and end-of-life care. Geriatric psychologists adhere to ethical principles and professional standards in their practice, striving to uphold their older clients' dignity, autonomy, and well-being while navigating complex ethical challenges with integrity and compassion.

Geriatric psychology is vital in promoting older adults mental health and well-being, addressing their unique needs and challenges with compassion, expertise, and cultural sensitivity. By providing specialized assessment, intervention, and support, senior psychologists enhance the quality of life for older individuals and foster healthy ageing in our increasingly ageing society. As the population ages, the importance of senior psychology in mental healthcare will only grow, highlighting the significance of ongoing research, education, and advocacy in this vital field.

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