Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. But isn’t every day when you’ve got a brain that likes to go to the dark side??
Our TTFA/Feelings & Co. community is made up of people with all kinds of brains, and all kinds of struggles, and even though we’ve made over 250 (!!!!) episodes of Terrible, Thanks for Asking we could never be done covering the many, many ways that mental illness affects people.
But we’ve made a lot of episodes that feel particularly relevant today and any other day you need a reminder that you aren’t as alone as your brain wants you to think you are.
A year ago, Nora was getting ready to go on tour for Bad Vibes Only and also…had barely crawled her way out of a deep depressive episode. She went on tour and told the story of her suicidal ideation to thousands of people and many, many, MANY of you stayed afterward for a hug and to say, “I’ve been there.”
So in the spirit of making every day a day of recognition for our struggling brains, here’s a list of some of our best mental health episodes.
One of our favorites of all time is Soooo OCD – the story of real people dealing with a real diagnosis that people say flippantly when they really mean “I like my spice drawer organized alphabetically.” Another great one from TRC that touches on OCD is “All The Gold Stars” with Rainesford Stauffer.
For when you’re feeling so anxious you can barely breathe:
When you feel like everyone else is doing better than you are (they’re not)
If you’re having a good ol’ fashioned mid-life crisis:
If you’re living life in the wake of suicide:
When you’re on the outside looking in:
Charlotte was just on her way home when she witnessed the last moments of a stranger’s life. It’s a night – and a moment – that has changed her forever.
When who you are means losing who you were:
Nathan (now known as Nate – they/them) was living his life as a young Mormon when he realized that he was gay, and no amount of “conversion therapy” could “fix” him.
You deserve clean dishes (a conversation on care tasks when you're struggling):
For when you need some confidence in your body no matter what other people think (and it’s also okay if you’re still convincing yourself how fantastic it is):
Remember, please, that you are never alone.
Take care of yourself.
You’re good. You’re safe. You’re doing great.
And we are proud of you, no matter where you may find yourself today.
A note that mental health services in the US are…baaaaad! Garbage! Truly the worst! That said, here are some of the free resources if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide: Text HOME to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
If you feel unsafe right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org
If you need help figuring out HOW to tell someone that you’re having suicidal thoughts, here are some prompts.
If you suspect someone in your life is having suicidal thoughts, here are some questions you can ask them.
Read the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action.
If you’re struggling with depression, know some of the tools that can help lift you out of a hard time.
PS— We’ll be on tour in November and December with our Happyish Holidays live show. You’ll have the best time, we promise.*
*legally we cannot make this claim. You might have a pretty good time or an okay time.