Sean Bennick | MHMatters

Reachout A Social Support App With Actual Support

By Sean Bennick | Oct 4, 2016 | Living With Mental Illness, Recovery, Technology | 0 |

For those of us coping with a mental illness, one of the most difficult things to do is reaching out to another person for support. Often our own fears get in the way, and for many of us, physical and financial limitations mean that finding any kind of outside support limits us to social networks and online forums where understanding can be hit or miss at best. A few years ago, several Support Apps came along and offered a glimmer of hope that, finally, we would have a way to reach out and get the support we needed. For...

Research Study Invitation: MindTrails Project

By Sean Bennick | Aug 12, 2016 | Research Studies | 1 |

MindTrails Project – A new, computer-based anxiety-reduction program Do you struggle with extreme anxiety? The Teachman PACT lab at the University of Virginia is looking for adults (age 18 and older) who struggle with anxiety symptoms to enroll in a new, computer-based anxiety-reduction program. We are recruiting participants to help us learn how we can help individuals combat anxiety via online training. To determine your eligibility for the study, visit https://mindtrails.virginia.edu and click on “Am I Eligible?” The study involves 8 sessions (over the course of 4 weeks), each lasting 20 minutes or less, as well as four 15-minute assessments...

World Eating Disorders Action Day

By Sean Bennick | Jun 2, 2016 | Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorders | 0 |

Today is June 2nd, 2016, World eating disorders Action Day. In support of this day, mental health matters is proud to be joining more than 200 other organizations and 1000’s of mental health activists from more than 40 countries to share information about eating disorders. Eating Disorders affect an estimated 70 Million people worldwide, and they impact people of all genders, religions, ages, racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, education levels, and socioeconomic levels. They are severe illnesses that develop due to a complex interplay of biological influences, environmental influences, and genetics. They are treatable illnesses, yet many go untreated despite the...

What is Wrong With Straitjackets?

By Sean Bennick | May 15, 2016 | Editorial, Mental Health Stigma | 0 |

This is an open letter to the Eurovision Song Contest, and to Hostess Petra Mede regarding her recent use of a straitjacket joke and the impact such jokes have on the social stigma of mental health. In it, I hope to explain to both her and the staff of the Eurovision Song Contest itself exactly what is wrong with straitjackets. Strong Language Warning. Dear Eurovision Hostess Petra Mede, I’m writing in the hopes of educating you on some of the issues those of us with mental illnesses have with the joke you made at our expense during the show. Now...

Mental Health Hero: Patty Duke Mental Health Project

By Sean Bennick | Apr 21, 2016 | Advocacy, Mental Health Hero | 0 |

Before I talk about the Patty Duke Mental Health Project, let me express my own sadness at the loss of Patty Duke, she was a wonderful woman and an incredible mental health advocate and activist. I didn’t really know her acting work, I’ve a few of her movies, but not the TV show that she was most famous for, that was from my parent’s generation. But I did know her mental health activism work. I stood in line to shake her hand at the 2006 NAMI National Conference after she was awarded the Lionel Aldridge Award. She had a warm smile and listened...

Author: Sean Bennick