Our mental health system has needed to be changed drastically for a long time. Suicides and trauma statistics are just now starting to be taken seriously in educational institutions – in 2018…took long enough right? – and mental health social media organizations are booming, yet options for those struggling with suicide, such as hospitalization and hotlines, are still limited with many faults.
Genevieve Munroe is a Los Angeles based photographer using her art as an open diary and as a way to tell her story, her way. The twenty-six year old artist invites us into her world in her short film “#manicdepression” (featured below) where we watch her live and in action as an ever changing self-portrait. Here, I interview Munroe about her experiences with her mind obstacles and how art plays a part in coping healthily.
Balancing taking care of yourself and caring for loved ones can be hard and confusing. Sometimes, taking more me-time or giving a friend space, versus being there for them, can lead to a heated and tearful argument or feelings of guilt. Other times, doing so creates an outcome of a healthy and strong platonic or romantic relationship.
Hi The Strange is Beautiful readers! We’re having a Self-Care Workshop for mind obstacles – such as anxiety and depression – on July 29, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Union Swapmeet led by our founding editor-in-chief, Shannen Roberts, and presented by L.A. Sewcial Club.
When it comes to my moods and my emotions, my highs can be really high. But my lows can leave me wondering where those highs even came from in the first place. Here recently, I’ve been in an emotional rut that’s resulted in me not being able to enjoy life as much as I’d like and it’s had a negative impact on my productivity and self-image. I’ll feel so many things (although sometimes nothing at all) that I lock myself in my room in complete isolation with my blinds shut and my curtains closed. However, what happens to me a lot when I slide far down into depression is that I’ll grow so exhausted from the episodes, that I’ll have to come out of my funk, even if only temporarily, just to give myself a break from the influence the depression has over me at the time. In other words, while I may not be able to come out of my depression overall, I do what I can to build my strength up so that I can continue to move forward in dealing with my depression. This leads to me gradually coming out of the episode and once again living life in my highs.