One of the reasons I am adding mental health resources to my #shawleveryday2019 campaign is to help end the stigma around mental health. Stigma is a big problem and can cause people not to seek help when they need it.

We are about 1/6th of the way through #shawleveryday2019 and I just want to remind you that I am raising money for Independence Center. You can donate to the campaign directly or, when you buy a shawl, I will donate half of the sale price to the campaign.

A lot of people are afraid of taking medication for their mental illness. Some view it as a sign of weakness. Some think that because you are taking meds, you must "have it really bad." Some people are worried about the side effects - will it change who I am?

Dermatillomania (also known as skin picking or excoriation) is a body-focused-repetitive-behavior that is associated with OCD. It is characterized by repeated touching, picking, scratching, and digging at ones own skin, whether damaged skin or healthy. The big differences between dermatillomania and normal picking at skin imperfections and irregularities is that the behavior is chronic, results in tissue damage, and causes the person marked distress and dysfunction.

If you think you might be experiencing mental health issues, Mental Health America has a few screening tools that you can take. There are screenings for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, eating disorders and more. They are not meant to be diagnostic, but they can be useful to bring to your primary care physician to have a conversation about seeing a specialist. They take less than 2 minutes and could be the start of getting the treatment you need.

There are a lot of ways to describe depression, but in my opinion, no one does it better than Allie Brosh of Hyperbole and a Half. Her great combo of art and wit definitely hits the nail on the head.​

Many people have heard of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), but it is often misunderstood. The two main components of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease his or her distress.

I saw my therapist today, which is a crucial part of my treatment plan. Being able to talk to someone about what's going on can provide perspective and advice on how I can best manage my symptoms and concerns.

Some say that smart phones have increased our anxiety, but they can also help us with our mental health. Here are the apps I use that make it easier for me to manage various aspects of my mental health care.

When you are struggling with a mental illness, it can really help to know someone out there who is going through the same struggles. That's why I think it's great that various celebrities and athletes have come out about their experience with mental illness. Knowing that you can still be successful, even if you have a mental illness, can be both comforting and motivating.

Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the US and its prevalence has been increasing. Why is that? There's a lot to unpack, but this article goes in depth as to what might be behind our collective anxiety.

Today is not a good day. I miss my mom so much. I tried to take a photo where I was smiling, but I just couldn't. I'm trying to do some self-care, but so far all I've done is eat lunch and change into different pajamas. Tonight I will take a shower, which almost always helps. Self care is extremely important in mental health, even though it can be hard to do.

Bipolar disorder is the 3rd most common mental illness in the US, however it is often misunderstood. Many people think that people who switch very quickly (within minutes) from one extreme mood to the other have bipolar disorder, but that is not the case. Typically an extreme mood (whether depression or mania) lasts weeks or even months.

One overlooked symptom of depression is the Impossible Task.

The Impossible Task could be anything: going to the bank, refilling a prescription, making your bed, checking your email, paying a bill.

Guys, this shawl is huge. Pretty sure it's the biggest one I have. The pattern is reminiscent of the night sky, which is also huge. :D

What a gross gray day. These sorts of days can be rough for people with mental health issues. Decrease in sunlight is associated with a decrease in serotonin levels, which can exacerbate existing symptoms. It is often recommended to take extra vitamin D and explore the use of a light therapy box.

Today is the start of a ~90 day project in which I wear a different shawl/cowl/scarf every day until I run out. As a reminder, I am raising money this year for Independence Center of St. Louis. This particular shawl for today is not for sale, but you can donate to my campaign here.