A Thread For Mental Health

[Jackspital 391]

In light of recent news about Cori's absence and current recovery, I proposed creating an off-topic thread dedicated to mental health. This space would serve as a safe space for discussing life, issues, or seeking conversation, especially for those who may be in a similar space to Cori. In a world where mental health is important, establishing this thread felt necessary. Having personally struggled with mental health and having a dear friend who attempted to take their own life, I believe a thread like this could offer even a small measure of help to anyone in need.

Apart from offering a platform to share and seek support, I'll also include valuable links and contact details for UK and international mental health resources for easier access on the site:

UK numbers and useful sites:

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

• www.samaritans.org
• 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day
• Email: jo@samaritans.org

Mind

Mind offers advice, support and information to people experiencing a mental health difficulty and their family and friends. Mind also has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays).

• www.mind.org.uk
• InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 to call, or text 86463
• Email info@mind.org.uk

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

A helpline for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.

• www.thecalmzone.net
• Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 
• Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/

US and international sites and numbers:

https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/resources/ - Great site for various US numbers and text lines for external help

Suicide prevention and mental health:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or Lifeline Chat

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME TO 741741

National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 741-741

Crisis Support Services national helpline: 800-273-8255

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (substance abuse and mental health): 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357)

Teen Line for youth in need of support: 800-852-8336

  Edited December 5, 2023 by Jackspital  
Structure changes and spelling mistakes

[pclark06 12,010]

In the US the hotline is as simple as dialing 988 now and just changed a few days ago:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/15/1111316589/988-suicide-hotline-number 

[MarkShot 631]

Yes, I am glad that you titled this as mental health, since there is far more than suicide going on.

It is clear that modern life creates too much stress in people which results in many undesirable behaviors.  Humans were not by design by evolution to have so much continuous stress.  Another case of having created a world that does not fit our biology.  Also, stress is not simply mental, there are definite physical health affects which which correlated to many things like heart disease, auto-immune disorders, etc...  I think somewhere in the transition to agriculture 10,000 years ago lies the seeds of the stress curve.  So, I guess what I am saying is civilization produces stress.  I would like to say that stress is the result of our current social structure and wealth gap.  But there is continuous stream of the financial well off who also present mental health conditions of stress.  So, I think it is more a matter of civilization than social class, and perhaps the ever increase pace of change in civilization which is clearly accelerating.

I guess I have rambled enough ...

[Jackspital 391]

10 hours ago, MarkShot said:

Yes, I am glad that you titled this as mental health, since there is far more than suicide going on.

It is clear that modern life creates too much stress in people which results in many undesirable behaviors.  Humans were not by design by evolution to have so much continuous stress.  Another case of having created a world that does not fit our biology.  Also, stress is not simply mental, there are definite physical health affects which which correlated to many things like heart disease, auto-immune disorders, etc...  I think somewhere in the transition to agriculture 10,000 years ago lies the seeds of the stress curve.  So, I guess what I am saying is civilization produces stress.  I would like to say that stress is the result of our current social structure and wealth gap.  But there is continuous stream of the financial well off who also present mental health conditions of stress.  So, I think it is more a matter of civilization than social class, and perhaps the ever increase pace of change in civilization which is clearly accelerating.

I guess I have rambled enough ...

Very true, and its a whole topic that I can relate to with my own mental health, as well as many friends and close family around me who are or have gone through struggles with mental health. I too get very stressed with life in general and I think that setting this thread up felt like a positive move in my mind, in order to help people de-stress in an almost anonymous and potentially helpful way. Although Simtropolis is primarily just for citybuilders and its discussion, I think an off-topic thread like this is very important and I am very happy to moderate and talk on here to anyone and everyone about life.  

[MarkShot 631]

Actually, SC4 and CS are very relaxing games.  I would play more if I had any creativity. 

[crushproof 103]

Great post, and it has made me wonder. Has anyone heard anything from Mattb325? Been offline since April 30 and has been a prolific contributor for a good 15 years or thereabouts. The best modder IMO.

Very odd to suddenly go offline and not reappear at all since.

[Jackspital 391]

On 8/13/2022 at 9:48 PM, crushproof said:

Great post, and it has made me wonder. Has anyone heard anything from Mattb325? Been offline since April 30 and has been a prolific contributor for a good 15 years or thereabouts. The best modder IMO.

Very odd to suddenly go offline and not reappear at all since.

That's an interesting one of note also that I hadn't thought about, although come to mention it I haven't seen him around for a while too. Maybe if anyone knows Mattb325 personally they could check up?

[TheMurderousCricket 5,085]

Matt was last seen on 1st May and I think this is an OK amount of time considering the time of year.

Keep in mind that we are still in the holiday season, so I wouldn't be surprised to simply see him enjoying his vacation.  Either way, good observation and a commendable care!

Since we have seen two old-timers coming back to Simtropolis after an even longer hiatus (Daeris, Naomi57), I am certain there is nothing to worry about.