fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
A Day in the Life (TW)
By: Allie Noel
Tags: You Are Enough, Mental Health Awareness, You Are Not Alone

There is a person who sits in the back of the class, and they seem to be happy with their life, but they never seem to have many friends.

They seem to be the light of the world when they smile, but they only ever smiles when they wear a mask.

They always wear the most fashionable clothes, but they hate their body.

They always get straight A’s, but it never seems to be good enough.

They have scars that no one will ever see because they are in their head.

They are constantly screaming for help, and you never hear them.

They always remember your name, even when you can not remember theirs.

You thought of a person while reading these lines.

This person is your best friend, your sister, your brother, or even yourself.

Maybe this person is a cheerleader, a member of the band, or a member of student council.

This person will never be alone, unless you let them.
Your Body is a Temple.
By: Serena V Amoroso
Tags: Body Positive, Embodiment, Mental Health Awareness, Eating Disorders, Body Image

I was inspired to take my first yoga class because of my eating disorder.

Yoga was a practice for me to continue 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 my body + myself for 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜.

Learning to respect my body,

Learning to honor my body,

Learning to cherish my body,

Learning to celebrate my body,

Took me yeaaaaaarrrrrrrssssss. Literally.

Age 5: earliest memories of shame/hatred towards myself

Age 10: eating disorder began

Age 18: first yoga class

Age 23: began honoring my body as a temple

I remember having a conversation with my grandma who is 83. She was talking about how she didn’t want to eat a piece of cake because she might gain weight. That’s when it really struck me. I didn’t want to be 83 and worrying about my body. I didn’t want to spend my entire lifetime loathing myself.

That moment, in combination with a few key others, really struck me. I decided that wasn’t going to be my life or my future. I was going to heal the pattern now. In a world that thrives off of self-hatred I was going to be radical. I was going to not only accept my body, I was going to love my body.

Learning to love your body is one of the most important things you will 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍 do.

Your body is the home of your Soul.

Your body is a temple.

Your body is sacred.

Your body is an 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 of Source.

Your body IS the journey.

Our consciousness is 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭.

Your body is only for 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 lifetime.

The journey of life is the journey of your body.

𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙋 𝙁𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙔𝙊𝙐.

Stop using your precious energy on self-destruction.

𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙊𝙎𝙀 𝙏𝙊 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙐.

Embrace your body as a portal of Divinity.

Embrace your body as a conduit of pleasure.

Embrace your body as a tool of purpose.

Experiencing your body as a sacred temple is devotion to Divinity.

What are you devoted to?

x Serena

@serenavamoroso

PS — learn to LOVEEEEE your body, all of her, in Feminine Magnetism. DM for info.
Not being in the right state of mind is both normal and bound to happen.
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Toughness, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Depression

Not being in the right state of mind is both normal and bound to happen. Everyone goes through some sort of problem mentally but many don’t even know it. We all look at mental health as something that is serious but not too serious. The truth is, mental illness is the HARDEST fucking thing you can go through. Many people don’t understand it. Personally I don’t blame them. It’s not something you can diagnose with a scan or picture. You can’t just see that there’s something wrong with the person. You have to take their word for it there just is. If you don’t believe them for whatever reason just act like you do. Even if you have never experienced something like it. You not believing them might be the end for them. We’ve seen it a countless number of times. In fact while reading this 2 different people have probably committed suicide already. Any mental illness leads to the big one, Depression. Depression isn’t a mood. Don’t say you are depressed because your favorite team lost the game. Depression is a long term disease that most people go through. Depression is the gift that just keeps giving. It goes from a little frown to a blade at your wrists. In the blink of an eye you are in your bathroom contemplating about whether you should end what you have worked so hard for. You know just by breathing another second it is a good day. If you get to 20,000 breaths for the day it was a good day. If you got through the day without a knife aims at you it was a good day. Depression is a constant fight for your life. You don’t get one second of rest. The best part about it is that it comes out of nowhere. You just won a million dollars, your as healthy as a horse, you got your dream job and bam… you are in a depressing slump. You don’t know why and can’t do anything about it. You’re just down. There’s nothing you can do to change it. The most incredible feeling in the world.
I’m not sure if anyone has told you this today…but you’re amazing.
Tags: Mental Health Awareness

I’m not sure if anyone has told you this today…but you’re amazing. You’re beautiful. You’re Strong. Keep pushing. The fight isn’t over yet.
Are We Encouraging Mental Illness?
By: Simranjot Singh
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Social Media, Pandemic, Mental Health

As per NCRB’s (National Crime Records Bureau) report, more than 90,000 young adults died by suicide in 2019 in India.

I was shattered after reading this news. Whenever I read an article like this, I start thinking deeply about what we can do to eradicate this menace from our society.

In my opinion, to understand its core, everyone needs to look into its basic impetus and get grounded in the reality - what leads a person to take a daring step like taking his/ her own life?

The Taboo!

In many parts of India (including my region), it is still considered taboo. Families and parents don’t talk about it openly, and people who take therapies are considered sick. Relatives and friends make fun of it, and it becomes the topic of gossip, which is heartbreaking. Social media apps have multiplied their effect on human minds.

I t’s a sad reality that a country like India who invented “meditation” and “yoga” comes under the most depressing countries of the world.

Social Media and Mental Health

A very nicely written article explained that people who spend more than 4 hours a day on social media platforms are more prone to depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. But imagine a world where instead of getting bullied, people start getting support from their friends rather than feeling low via these applications.

Can facebook introduce a new feature to “call for help” besides the like button? Should it not be their utmost priority especially in these challenging times?

NGOs and healthcare companies can start raising their voices and run more campaigns for awareness of the mental illness. People should start appreciating their peers for who they are rather than taunting or teasing them.

Corporates can also have an immense contribution to this cause, as they can marketize their policies on tv ads. and social media pages to support the mental health of their employees rather than “spending millions of dollars on selling their products only”.

The “like button” on applications like Facebook and Instagram can save thousands of lives!

In this era of digitization, apart from social media apps, there are numerous other tech applications like ‘Not-Ok’ and ‘Whats-Up,’ which help you ask for assistance when you’re feeling vulnerable, with real impact. People suffering from mental health issues are usually reluctant to go to the doctors as many are not comfortable talking about it.

However, to tackle those scenarios, many health care start-ups have now launched applications where a patient can consult a doctor as an anonymous patient until he/ she gets the confidence to show their identity.

In this pandemic situation, when it’s not viable to manually go to the clinics, these virtual consultations are trending and have proved to be a helping hand for people in dire need. I really hope that in the future, robotics and artificial technology should also start participating in cognitive and social therapies so that the world could become a happy place and this invisible menace is fully eradicated from our society.
Mental Health Resources for Stress and Anxiety
By: Valentin Oojeda Avila
Tags: Valentino Ojeda Avila, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health

People who need mental health support should be able to receive it and must know how to protect themselves. Here’s what influencers like Valentino Ojedo Avila have to say:

Check your benefits and employment rights

Our financial situation is the main cause of anxiety and stress during the pandemic. People are often worried about finances and the workload if they have to stay at home. Will I have enough money? Will there be enough work for me? These are just a few questions many of us ask ourselves. In time, this extended anxiety and stress can have a negative effect on mental health.

Plan practical things

You may find it difficult to go to the local supermarket during this period. If you are unable to do it, find a delivery service, or ask your friends or family for assistance. Discuss with your caretakers how you can continue to receive support during this period.

Stay connected

Socialization is critical during this period. It reduces anxiety and stress and makes us feel appreciated and loved. Try to maintain healthy relationships with the people you trust and love. It’s important for your mental health and can help you a lot. Try to stay in touch with the important people in your life, even if this connection is remote.

Talk about your worries

Remember that feeling anxious, stressed, and worried during the pandemic is perfectly normal. You may also feel helpless, isolated, scared, and uncertain. Be open about your feelings and talk to the people you love. Share your concerns with others — you will feel better and the people you talk to will feel better. If you don’t have someone to talk to, there are plenty of helplines that provide support for mental health during the lockdown

Do not stay glued to the news

Staying informed is important, but don’t exaggerate. Try to limit the time you spend reading, watching, or listening to coverage of the outbreak. This includes both traditional media and social media. Turn off the news alerts on your phone and set a specific time to read the updates. Use only trustworthy sources of information.

Do the things you enjoy

Doing the things you really like is a great way to avoid feeling worried, anxious, or stressed. If you have a hobby, focus on it and expand your interest in other hobbies. Keep your day busy and stay active. Good ideas for hobbies are reading, writing, crosswords, jigsaws, baking, painting, and drawing.
What You Can Do When You Have Suicidal Thoughts
By: Nicholas Myers
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Awareness, Mental Health

I’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia for 19 years now and I have had my share of suicidal thinking. For me, these thoughts were just a bit more than obtrusive. I don’t want to think about suicidal thoughts, and I know I would never act on them. Simply having the thoughts can be a lot easier than when you start to think and plan your own death. If you go over the edge and start to plan it, please tell someone. Don’t just keep this to yourself. The sooner a professional knows about this the sooner you can get help. You have to understand that your life is more important than you think it is. Suicide isn’t the answer. The best way I’ve coped with having suicidal thoughts is the idea that I would never act on them. I have the thoughts and I just let them go. It’s all about being the observer, your thoughts will come and go. If you have ever had them and you notice they pass, like clouds passing by in the sky, it will be easier for you to manage them when you have them. The worst I have ever got is when I would be feeling so bad I think this is the only way out when it’s not. The best you can do is tell someone and if need be going to a mental institution could prevent you from doing it. If you get into an institution you will be under watch and you will be in a place where you can’t hurt yourself. Find safety, because your life depends on it. I’ve also learned that medication too, can have side effects, one being suicidal thoughts. If you start to have suicidal thoughts after being put on a certain medication, you must tell your doctor right away, and they can help find a solution. If you are suicidal and reading this please understand that people love you and don’t want to see you gone, it could be devastating to those who you leave behind. Reach out to your family if possible, if not you can always find an online community where you can let someone know what is really going on. There are many Facebook communities that I have seen, and there are lots of people wanting to help. As the quote goes, “Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting better.” — Unknown.
Disordered: Week 1 – August 30 to September 5
By: Michael Boykin
Tags: Self Improvement, Mental Health Awareness, Personal Development, Mental Health, Psychology

Disordered: Week 1 – August 30 to September 5

For my first four nights on Mirtazapine, I was instructed to take just half a pill as I built up to my regular dosage. While normally I’d say to hell with how my body reacts — I tend to push myself physically — my trepidation stemming from even beginning this course of treatment urged caution.

In just the first few days, I’ve experienced the soundest sleep I’ve had in what seems like many, many years. I’m now waking up when I hear my alarm, not just before it, not an hour or two before it. I’ve gone running for the first time in five months, and I’m even starting to believe I can do all of the things my team and company need me to be doing at work. These things I like.

It’s certainly possible that this quickly I’ve started experiencing some of the positive effects of Mirtazapine. It’s possible that this has been purely placebo effect. It’s also very possible that having wallowed in such a sunken place I’m feeling better because I couldn’t conceivably have gone anywhere but up.

And if feeling and being so low was catalyst enough to turn things around for me, maybe I didn’t need the Mirtazapine at all. I don’t know, and I guess I won’t. I question this decision, but I don’t question it enough to regret it. I simply wonder, and I think I will continue to wonder.
DEPRESSIONS
By: Truly Steve
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health, Poetry On Medium, Depression, Writing

DEPRESSIONS

Lord I thank you for

All of my blessings

And helping me

Get over my depressions

I lift up my hands

And say thank you God

I prayed to God for a blessing

Hoping He would get the message

At 1st I thought

He wasn't interested

We always overthink

When we're desperate

Little did I know

That he had a plan

I was impatient

I didn't understand

Until the showers stared pouring

And I started touring

Appearing on screens

Getting serious cakes

I tell my youngies

I'm a testimony of the same

God is working in mysterious ways

Getting love from the rest

I should always

Strive for the best

And so I lift up my hands

And say, Jesus thank you!

@TrulySteve

@Francisco

#MentalAwareness

#MentalHealth

#Sanity

#SteveCast
5 Holiday Stress Tips
By: Tillie Adelson
Tags: Holiday Stress, Mental Health Awareness, Holidays, Boundaries, Mental Health

Holiday stress comes as no surprise to anyone, I’m sure — however, as we deal with a pandemic the stress of the holidays is only heightened.

I have always felt a lot of stress during the holidays, not just in 2020, and after chatting with people in person, on Instagram and more, I have found there are a lot more people that find the holidays more stressful than not.

Of course the holidays do offer plenty of fun times, opportunities to spend time with loved ones, take time off work, continue old traditions or start new ones; but it can still make one feel bogged down, tired, and anxious.

So I compiled holiday stress tips that can help to combat holiday stress and allow you to actually enjoy this time of year!

1. Stick to your routine:

During the holidays it can be very easy to get off track. I am for sure a victim of this. Working out (for me it’s my Soul Cycle at home bike) or eating a balanced diet are major components in many people’s day to day routine — during the holidays, I tend to abandon that routine in favor of those delicious cookies at Trader Joe’s!

What I have found was that if I went off course: it made me happy in the short term but not the long term. So try to keep your routine as part of your holiday celebrations.

2. Do something just for you:

Often you can find yourself trying to accommodate or stick to someone else’s agenda (i.e. your significant other’s family coming to town…). This is great and always helpful but also remember that what you want to do is important and if you need to step out and go for a walk or exercise, get a coffee, go somewhere alone to regroup: do so!

3. Set realistic expectations from the beginning:

This is a big one for me. I often get into my head about what I want the holidays to look like and feel like but I don’t communicate those expectation and I also don’t remind myself that they may not all be met. Setting those expectations early will greatly relieve holiday stress.

4. Communicate with those around you:

This relates to the point above: after you set the expectations, communicate those wants and needs to your family, friends, or significant other. As I am learning, people are not mind readers and if you have a tradition you want to start or continue: communicate that.

5. Start your own tradition:

Maybe you are living in a new city, or in a new relationship: it’s important to feel like you are creating the holidays for yourself and not doing it for everyone around you — your energy will be completely depleted if you do this. In that spirit, last year I started a new tradition of making latkes for friends on Hanukkah! I intend to keep it up for years to come!

What are you holiday stress tips for 2020?

(This article was originally published on My Stiletto Life.)
What Depression is REALLY Like…. Depression and anxiety feel like silent…
By: E.S. Elias
Tags: Anxiety, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Depression

Depression and anxiety feel like silent torture. One may feel alone and feel as if no one understands him/her-E.S. Elias

Suffering from depression and/or anxiety is a daily battle. The medication may help to keep things calmer, but it is still a struggle. A struggle that does not completely go away. Tears may come and go; thoughts may be fleeting, and isolation may happen. The person struggling may be feeling alone and misunderstood.

Silent Torture (book excerpt):

The adults were downstairs talking. Mr. Fells was sitting at the dining table and sipping the coffee Melissa just made. “We never had a lot of money, but we always had a loving home. We always accepted Allison as our own child. She has been through too much as had Kate, but they never asked for help. They always did things on their own, Allison more so than Kate.” He said. Mrs. Fells nodded and said, “Allison’s father was not a good man. Her mother was into money, and they both left Al to fend for herself. Tom had a temper and was violent. When that man assaulted the girls, we wanted her to stay with us, the courts wouldn’t allow it, since Allison’s mother was able to provide. That girl has suffered so much rejection.” Mary nodded in understanding. “Depression and anxiety feel like silent torture. Many people who struggle with this feel alone. That no one understands them.” She explained.

Elias, E.S.. Silent Torture: Beyond Face to Face Contact (Unconditional Love Book 1) (p. 91). Kindle Edition..

I feel so alone, so stupid. I can’t stand this. Why am I here? What good am I? Where am I going?

Oh God…I forgot about the bill, and now my account is going to overdraft. I am so stupid!! Now I have no money, and everything is going to fall apart. I want to just disappear.

Oh God I failed the midterm, now I am going to fail the whole class! What’s the point in even trying anymore? It’s obvious I am not smart if I am failing.

I don’t want to be here anymore. There is nothing for me. I am useless.

As one who battles depression and anxiety on a daily basis, even with meds, this is what I feel sometimes. I cry and tend to isolate myself. Bad thoughts come, but the medication manages that. I do have poor coping strategies, I have spent time in a psychiatric hospital and now I want to share my stories, my experiences, to show others who struggle with mental disorders that they are not alone. There is someone out there that does understand, and it is OK to feel what you feel. You are valuable and there is help available, but you need to take the first step. No one else can do that for you.
How loneliness can affect sleep quality
By: Claudia Lee
Tags: Health And Wellness, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health, Connection

It never occurred to me that loneliness can be linked to bad sleep quality before listening to science journalist Marta Zaraska on Mindbodygreen.

(Source: istock.com)

Zaraska explains that research shows those that perceive they are more lonely get less restful sleep. There is an evolutionary reason for this; in the past, loneliness increases risk as you do not have a companions to look out for you in case of danger. This means the body must remain in a more alert, cautious state.

Mbg health has a good summary of Zaraska’s explanation on the connection between loneliness and sleep. Zaraska also has a published book titled ’Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness can help you live to 100.”
AMBER (Bipolar) — Heather Dickson
By: See Me
Tags: Scotland, Creative Writing, Mental Health Awareness, Poetry, Mental Health

Poet Heather Dickson shares her piece AMBER with us. We’ll be publishing Heather’s work regualry, so check in after Christmas for the next installment.

AMBER (Bipolar)

Like a pendulum my mood swings

From one extreme to the other

These swings can last for months at a time

I feel all the high moments, are captured in amber

But, so are all the bad and at the lowest point I feel sad

Alone, hopeless, helpless, I can lose sleep

And not eat, I feel like, I’ve no energy

No interest in daily life, I feel empty

Cold, guilt and despair, I can’t concentrate

I get irritable, I can be pessimistic

I doubt myself sometimes and I wake up early

Delusional and suicidal but at the high point

The mania as they call it, I’m happy,

I’m full of energy, I can talk quite quickly

I feel like I have more value, I have great ideas

I’m motivated, I can be a bit distracted

I can still be irritated easily and I don’t feel

Like sleeping because I have all these ideas

So, I don’t eat, but I can still experience delusions

I can often spend loads of money, without realizing

And I make decisions, that are out of character

I’m on medication now, to help ease the effects

But maybe another course can be taken?

Maybe therapy

to help me recognize the triggers

The pendulum keeps on swinging

The amber keeps on dripping, creating memories

And I believe, it will get easier in time

Heather Dickson
Stuck in a dark place and struggling to get out? You’re not alone.
By: Ellen Callister
Tags: Depression, Anxiety, Mental Health Awareness, Sadness, Mental Health

Stuck in a dark place and struggling to get out? You’re not alone.

You’ve forgotten how to laugh and smile. You’ve forgotten what it feels like to be happy and free. You’ve forgotten what it’s like to be freshly bathed and wearing newly washed clothes.

Gone are the days you have the energy or courage to speak to people about anything ( why would they care anyway?) . Gone are the days you feel excitement and joy. Gone are the days you feel anything.

How the hell did I get to this place? Why is everything so numb? Why can’t I be bothered to make my bed or wash my face. Why is just getting out of bed so hard?

Nothing matters anymore. You’ve lost all hope about anything and you can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. Your mind is a hazey mess. You can’t remember what day it is.

You’re trapped in your own body. It’s heavy to lift, it hurts to open your eyes or string together a sentence. You’re completely unreachable, you’ve purposely not charged your phone or checked in on Facebook or Instagram.

You’re waiting, waiting for the end. You’re not in pain, you’re not unhappy, you’re just empty and meaningless. You add no value to anything, in fact you just take it away. You’re a nuisance, you’re unlovable you’re a disaster.

Let me tell you that this isn’t really you talking. You’re amazing, you’re loved, you’re worth it. What you’re feeling now isn’t permanent. I promise.

There will be brighter days, there will be smiles and laughter, there will be happiness.

You can get through this, and if you don’t think you can please ask for help.
Self-Talk Part 2: Identifying Negative Self-Talk
By: Healthy Mind Model Talk
Tags: Blog, Mental Health Awareness, Mentalhealthblog, Positive Self Talk, Negative Selftalk

When was the last time you said to yourself; “I never do anything right”, “There’s no use even trying” or, “my opinion doesn’t matter”? The critic in our heads is one most of us know too well. That voice says things about you that you would not say; even to your worst enemy. This voice impacts how capable, likable, and worthy we feel. These things, in turn, affect almost every area of life like work, school, and personal relationships. But that is what this voice is: a critic. It doesn’t see the good, and it amplifies the bad.

When a person is in a funk stemming from negative self-talk it is difficult to recover or even to be able to seek help. That voice in your head can be pretty powerful and really get you down in a hole. That critic is with you all day, every day.

The Effects of Negative Self-Talk

Just know, you are not alone in feeling like this. I would argue most people have been in a space where they were in a hole of talking negatively to themselves. Negative self-talk can prevent you from realizing your potential, it can stop you from being confident and secure with who you are as a person. That voice can be paralyzing.

What makes the difference is how you decide to take control of your thoughts and reframe your words. The more you reframe your negative self-talk, the easier it becomes- over time and with consistent conscious practice- to get yourself out of the hole created by that voice in your head.

note: some diagnosed mental illnesses can’t be “thought” out of and need therapy or medications to help regulate. This is meant to be an additional step that can help those with undiagnosed or supplement diagnosed disorders. It does not replace therapy.

To read more, click here.
The COVID Chronicles: Embracing Being Uncomfortable
By: That Girl Erin
Tags: Progress, Mental Health Awareness, Uncomfortable, Covid Diaries, Mental Health

Those thoughts have become louder; polarized by the impacts COVID has had on my life. The pitter patter is gone and it’s more like a loud drum. It’s not just in my head anymore, I can feel it in my body. It’s like a wire brush is continuously running across my skin. The Drum and The Brush are in rhythm with each other. Their song becomes louder and more pronounced as the days grow shorter.

The solitude COVID has inflicted upon me has allowed this song to become deafening. In theory I know what I need to do to snap myself out of…make habits, stick to a schedule, find new hobbies…new ways to fulfill myself. The problem is unfucking my motivation to do so. I find myself not distinctly passionate about anything. My thoughts are occupied by my present state of discomfort and it seems like there isn’t space for anything else. I have to find space, create space in my thought pattern in between the noise of The Drum and The Brush.

I’ve done this before but those habits have been broken. I’m not someone who spends mental calories obsessing about why things didn’t work in the past whether it be mental health gains or relationship. There is no value to letting the past dictate my present and future.

In the near term, I am going to continue to be uncomfortable with my body. I will continue to be uncomfortable with the current state of my mental health. The point is to embrace it. I need to harness the power of The Drum and The Brush. I need to change their sound from a pitter patter into a strong willed cadence of forward progress.
LAST DAYS
By: Truly Steve
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Poetry On Medium, Poetry, Poetry Writing, Writing

LAST DAYS

With these type of forces

It's the greatest writer

None can ever compare

To what he owes for us

These meagre novelist ain't ready for me

I destroy every challenge

With an incredible response

A true showstopper

Who else do you know

That can flow in any weather

And do it so proper?

I've got the victory

Other writers are history

I unveil the mysteries

Cause they hardy can see the need

You can never know what I aim for

So I can can't bring out the pain

Cause I've in pain man!

I come solo with a fight in a crew

Poets are like Tyson

All they do is bite

I rule in the books

I came and they knew it was nice

The only thing they get to offer

Is the foolish advice

And so

I truly device plans like an African chief

I'll leave you dumb like a president who's lacking a speech!

#TrulySteve
Yale New Haven Psychatric Hospital
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Mental Illness Awareness, Peer To Peer, Mental Health

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My Relationship Didn’t Suck, I Was Just Depressed.
By: Chitara Smith
Tags: Relationships, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Love, Mental Health

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

I have been in a thick fog all year. I have treatment-resistant depression and it has sucked the spark out of my life. It made everything difficult to enjoy from food to sex to reading. Throw in the anxiety to make me constantly on edge.

What I didn’t realize was how it was affecting my relationship.

I have, finally, found medication at the right dosage to bring me out of that fog, and back to reality. Everything has improved, most notably my relationship has. I didn’t realize I was dragging my partner down when I was down. My anxiety made me critical, on edge, and irritable. My long-suffering boyfriend was at the shit end of the stick. He was trying his best to understand what was going on, help me, and help himself. I was so far gone that I didn’t even consider his mental health.

It’s hard to admit when you’re wrong but I was definitely wrong and I own it.

How could I have not noticed the way he makes me tea every day? How did I miss the fact he always did the dishes because I hate doing the dishes? When did I stop appreciating him in all this?

He’s been nothing but good to me this entire time. Being mentally ill is not an excuse to be an asshole. Most of the issues we have boiled down to be being hyper fixated on small things.

Who gives a damn if the car needs to be washed? Why did it matter that he leaves his clothes on the bathroom floor?

It’s hard to understand your mindset when you're so deeply depressed. I didn’t realize any of this until I stopped doing it. I believe I acted like that because all the negative feelings were exemplified by my mental illness and I became too comfortable. When you’re constantly treated well it's hard to imagine anything else.

I’ve apologized for this to him profusely. When I asked him why he didn’t tell me I was being a jerk he said “I didn’t think you were being mean at all. It just seemed like you were struggling and I was worried.”

A relationship isn’t always 50/50, sometimes it's 80/20, and I’m on the taking side. I have immeasurable gratitude to have someone stick by my side while I got better.
Fountain House Community
Tags: Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Mental Illness Awareness, Peer To Peer, Mental Health

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The Unmasked Man: Mental Health & Transcending into Wholeness with Alexander Cottle
By: Serena V Amoroso
Tags: Masculinity, Mental Health Awareness, Coaching, Mens Health, Mental Health

It’s not about whether you’re a man or a woman. We are all human beings. It’s about integrating these energies within yourself and seeing the Soul as a Soul.

WATCH HERE.

For more of the work Alexander is doing from men’s circles to coaching visit @alexander_cottle.

x Serena

@serenavamoroso
Now the real work begins….
By: Neena Oduro
Tags: Special Needs, Children, Ghana, Mental Health Awareness

As we conclude our group project for class, it feels like where and when did the time pass by so quickly. When I reflect back on where our team started off with just our passion for working with children with special needs it amazes me how far we have come. I believe the class, Child and Adolescent Global Mental Health, was really helpful in collaboration with our group project and growth.

The support that we received from the class instructors and professor was an asset in our approach towards navigating our communication skills, decision making, and meeting our organization where they were at, and how we could still be an impact on the remarkable work that has been done. Our group mentor was keen on understanding each of us individually and our specific ties or interests of the project. In which, she assigned each of us a focus area where we could build on the various skills mentioned earlier and continue to help the purpose of the NGO’s vision. My specific focus area on the project was making suggestions to destigmatize and educate the families or caregivers on their child (ren) with special needs. The focus area that I was assigned, was a perfect fit for me. I had an understanding of how Ghanaians were culturally and I knew it would be an area where I could really excel.

While researching and collaborating with my group members, there were many times where I could understand culturally why many caregivers had a lack of awareness or understanding of their child, but it also made me have a greater amount of compassion for the need to raise awareness on this important issue in Ghana. The remarkable work that Dr. Nana has done thus far, is truly amazing. During our weekly meetings, Dr. Nana would talk about her passion for the work, which truly impacted how we approached our project. The more felt we could impact the purpose of the organization the more connected we felt towards our own ties with special needs children.

What I enjoyed the most during our time as a group this semester was our Zoom meetings. We would have a weekly meeting with our mentor and another weekly meeting without our mentor. Those meetings really helped with our group connectivity. The way our mentor started the platform as a group dynamic really set the tone for how well we have been successful as a team. During a global pandemic, none of us thought that Zoom would be our medium of connection, let alone foster productivity during class. There were moments at the beginning where the time difference sometimes made it challenging to meeting weekly, however, once we created a consistent schedule, we all adapted. We were able to build a cohesive group connection that made the work for our project really start to progress.

I’m excited about our next steps in working with Dr. Nana. I know that the hard work that we have all done thus far is the tip of the iceberg. Getting the opportunity to see our interventions manifest would really be an amazing feeling. Most importantly, knowing that we made an impact on the country that I have direct ties to makes me feel proud!
My Cheat Sheet for NPM Commands
By: Nihal Dias
Tags: Nodejs, Web Development, Computer Science, Backend, NPM

npm init : Initializes npm in your current project folder

npm -v: Shows the current version of npm that you are running

npm install <package> : Installs a package from the npm library to the current project folder

npm install<package> -save-dev : Updates devDependencies in your package(In the package.json file)

Note:

devDependencies are those which you will need for local testing and deployment but not something that someone else will need to have installed if they are using your package.

npm install -g <package> : Installs a package from the npm library globally(to your system)

npm install <package>@version : Installs a specified version of your package

npm outdated: Displays outdated packages which are used in the current project folder

npm outdated -g : Displays packages which are outdated globally(in your system)

Note:

To update a package, you can use but this doesn’t always work. Doing an npm install <package> will install the latest stable version of the package. You could always also do the npm install <package>@version as well and get the latest version number by running npm outdated.

npm uninstall <package> : Uninstalls package from your current project folder

npm uninstall -g <package> : Globally uninstalls the package

npm cache verify : Verifies all the cached data of your packages

npm cache clean -force : Cleans all the cached data of your packages

Note:

npm cache clean without the flag will not work because as of npm 5, all cache self heals from data corruption issues and is guaranteed to be valid.

npm audit: Checks the dependencies of your project and sees if they are safe to use. It also lists commands that you could run to fix your dependencies.

npm audit fix: Automatically runs the commands suggested in to fix you dependencies.

npm start: Executes the script(s) in the section of your package.json file only if your script name is available by default in npm as shown in https://docs.npmjs.com/misc/scripts

npm run <script_name> : Executes a particular script from the section of your package.json file. You use this mostly to run scripts whose script names aren’t available by default as shown in https://docs.npmjs.com/misc/scripts

npx <package> : Temporarily installs and rund a package

npx -p <package> <command_of_that_package> : Temporarily installs a package and runs the command in <command_of_that_package>.

Note:

If you try running the command for a package that was just installed through npx previously, it won’t work because the package wasn’t installed globally nor in the project folder. npx thus helps reduce space needed for packages that are used rarely.
What is an API? Explained for beginners.
By: Tarık Yusuf Yıldızcı
Tags: Full Stack, Coding, API, Backend, JavaScript

What is an API? Explained for beginners.

Okay, you’ve learned how to use html and css, you have even tried some javascript and created a couple of apps. You are wondering what the next step is? Easy, working with data using databases and API’s. But first, I am really hungry, let’s go to a restaurant!

Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash

When we sit down at our table, the waiter comes and takes our orders. I want a chicken soup. The waiter goes to the kitchen and gives the orders to the cheff. the cheff gathers the ingredients from the fidge, and prepares the meal, then gives it to the waiter. Finally, the waiter brings the soup to me.

In this example, the waiter is the interface/frontend, you are the user, the cheff is the API, and the fridge is the database.

When you are building a website, you need the user to be able to access some sort of data. But databases look like this:

UI/UX designers love this picture.

Putting our database infront of the user is not so wise. Instead, what we do is bringing a middleman to our scene, so that the communication between the user and the database is handled in an organized and a secure way.

Alright, let’s wrap up what we’ve learned!

The user interacts with the frontend code(html,css,js)

code(html,css,js) Frontend sends data requests to an API

to an API API finds the data from the database and responds to the frontend

finds the data from the and to the frontend Frontend code uses the data

I hope things are more clear for you now. I struggled a lot when I first heard about APIs, and it took me a while to grasp the concept.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!
Set Up Your Express App(Modernized Version)
By: Michael Ndon
Tags: Nodejs, Expressjs, Web Development, Backend, JavaScript

Express is constantly the highlight of almost every Node developer. While being the most popular Node framework, Express helps set up and configure routes to send and receive requests between the front-end and the database of an app.

Express is a great framework for single-page apps, websites, hybrids, and so on. It provides lightweight yet powerful tools for HTTP servers. In my opinion, and a lot of others, this is a good starting point if you want to learn a Node framework for server-side development.

Objectives:

After going through this post, you should be able to:

Set up a basic express app using express-generator and npx

Set up nodemon for automatic refresh

Set up routes in your express app

Display express responses in the browser using pug view

Prerequisites:

You should have Node installed on your local machine to successfully follow along with this guide. Click here to go to the download page.

Ensure you have a suitable text editor such as visual studio code for when we would make changes to the code. Download it here.

Steps:

First thing’s first, let’s keep things organized.

Create a folder to contain our application. Open up your terminal(command prompt on windows) and navigate to the newly created folder. In the terminal, to setup our express app, type the following and hit enter:

npx express-generator mynewapp -- view=pug

We’re explicitly setting the template engine because by default npx will install ‘jade’ template which is deprecated.

4. Once the process has completed, successively run the following commands in the terminal, hitting enter after each:

cd mynewapp/ npm install npm install nodemon -g

We navigated into our new directory, installed the dependencies and finally installed a tool that will allow our server to automatically detect changes we make while running.

5. If you completed the above step without any errors, then your app is all setup. It’s time to make some edits to it, you can go ahead to start your app by running either of these commands in the terminal:
I am trying to run this spark submit job query using cluster mode only the command is like:
By: Bimal Kumar Dalei
Tags: Big Data, Scala, Apache Spark, Cluster, Backend

I am trying to run this spark submit job query using cluster mode only the command is like:

> spark-2.4.7-bin-hadoop2.7$ sbin/start-all.sh

>spark-2.4.7-bin-hadoop2.7$ bin/spark-submit — master spark://172.x.x.x:7077 — deploy-mode cluster — class com.util.App — executor-memory 40G — executor-cores 20 — driver-memory 40G /home/user/spark/mysparkjob.jar 100

i) Executing this above command in my local machine. Here 172.x.x.x:7070 is my master node and i have configured another 2 machine for slave purpose like 172.x.x.z1:7070 and 172.x.x.z2:7070 all are connected in a same networks.

ii) As per your blog, you are mention one master and two slaves. My query is if i am running the spark submit command , where should i configure master and slaves. If only my local machine, then how should both slaves works at time of spark submit job.

Thank you.
This Is How The Data Center Serves In A Campus…..
By: Shreyas Sakri
Tags: Data Communication, Backend, Data, Servers, Data Center

Whenever we hear the word data, we start thinking about information,knowledge. isn’t it? We know that data is everywhere.But where it is actually ? It can be in a pen drive, hard disk,CD and many more . all these type of devices have a limit to store data up to a specific amount. so how can we store the data in large amount at one place ? Its actually stored in a server. But there are also many number of servers and how can we manage and maintain the data? So here we use Data Centers. Data Centers are nothing but centralized locations where computing and networking equipment is concentrated for the purpose of collecting, storing, processing, distributing or allowing access to large amounts of data.

A data center is a facility that centralizes an organization’s shared IT operations and equipment for the purposes of storing, processing, and disseminating data and applications. Because they house an organization’s most critical and proprietary assets, data centers are vital to the continuity of daily operations.

Here in above figure the various departments or sections of college are shown. these sections are interconnected with each others via lets say routers and all sections are managed and maintained from a centralized system i.e. switch. Anyone in the campus can access the data through switch as it acts as data center of campus. Suppose a student from hostel wants to access the moodle he/she can access it irrespective of time . User can sent connection request to the other user sitting in next department in no time to achieve the the task via switches. This improves the accessibility of the data in college.

Benefits of Data Center:

As load is distributed across the cluster nodes the performance of the system gets improved. Due to backup of systems ,the services are available always without any fail The users or customers need not have to worry about hiring people for maintenance in order to manage the data centers.

Drawbacks of Data Center: