Childhood Origins: Trauma and the Birth of Anxiety My journey with depression and anxiety can be traced back to my early childhood. I was 10 years old and had just experienced a traumatic event that left a deep and lasting scar on my soul. This incident marked the beginning of my struggles with mental health. …
Depression is a mental health condition that can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Symptoms of depression may include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt, as well as changes in appetite, sleep, and energy levels. Some people may also experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions or have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. However, …
Read more “The Normalization of Depression: Why It’s Important to Recognize Symptoms”
It was as if the bullies had planted a seed of self-doubt that grew over time, choking out any sense of self-worth or confidence. Jackie Barker Childhood bullying can have a profound impact on a person’s mental health, especially for someone who is quiet and introverted, like I was. As a child, I struggled to …
Hi. My name is Jackie and I suffer from mental health issues, specifically, major depressive disorder (MDD). I had been able to hide my true feelings for many years. Though recently, it became very evident that I needed help. I could no longer hide behind a fake smile. The energy exerted to put on the …
As painful as this may read, and as I look back on my life, there have been times when I cried for help but there was no response. The Pain of… Going Unnoticed As a young boy in the early 1980s, there was — and likely still is today — a stigma associated with mental …
WOW! Where has 2022 gone off too? It literally feels like yesterday we were watching the crystal ball in New York City drop to ring in 2022. Our Pastor last Sunday mentioned during his message how slowly time goes by when we are children. But then we reach our senior year in high school and …
Read more “A New Chapter – Random Thoughts on Turning Fifty”
September 22nd was the best day so far in 2022. At precisely 9:04 PM EDT, the earth’s equinox was experienced by everyone simultaneously worldwide marking the start of the autumn season in the northern hemisphere. As the days become shorter, the leaves will soon start to turn from green to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. …
Did you know that speaking up about depression can save a life? Battling in silence is one of the many reasons why those suffering from depression choose to end their pain with suicide.
At the lowest point in my battle with depression, and contemplating ending my pain, I discovered this thing called digital art. Thankfully I quickly realized that an outlet was needed to continue this battle. This week I want to write about how I believe digital art can be good for mental health. “But Jackie, I …
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Studies show being bullied as a child can cause depression in adults — I can attest to this statement. I was bullied as a child in elementary school and all the way through middle school (we called it Jr. High). Thinking back today on those times and a cringe. A frightening concern is that bullies …
Read more “Being Bullied as a Child Can Cause Depression in Adults”