There are a number of terrific newsletters that focus on mental health issues. Today I received the August issue from The Mental Help Net. It is full of the latest news on mental health issues:

Some of the topics included are:

•      Minimize Painful Experiences
•      Is My Depression Contagious?
•     Updated Links to Current Blogs
•     Updated Mental Health News
•     Our Blogs
•     Regularly Updated Resources

The article I particularly related to was the one on “Minimizing Painful Experiences.” where Dr. Rick Hanson explains:

“Painful experiences are more than passing discomforts. They produce lasting harms to your physical and mental health. When you’re feeling frazzled, pressured, down, hard on yourselves, or simply frustrated, that:

•    Weakens your immune system
•    Impairs nutrient absorption in your gastrointestinal system
•    Increases vulnerabilities in your cardiovascular system
•    Disturbs your nervous system

I believe this article points out how critical it is to address painful experiences, through counseling, group therapy, support groups, etc. Mental Help Net also offers a free Mental Health Support Community.

I know myself that if I hadn’t reached out for professional help many years ago, I may very well have passed away at a young age. Too many of my friends have not reached out for help, and are now paying a dear price for that.

Today there are so many tremendous resources to help us live mentally and emotionally healthier lives. As a baby boomer, I know we have options and access to information that our parents could never have dreamed of. It’s a shame not to take advantage of them.

To sign up for the free newsletter and explore their terrific website, go to:

http://www.mentalhelp.net