Saint Patrick isn't the only saint who is celebrated on March 17th. As usual, my first drink of today will be for Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron of gardeners, cats, and people suffering from mental illness.

#ICYMI: A transgender prisoner held in solitary confinement reports on the growing usage of Tasers against the most vulnerable of the incarcerated in #Texas. https://www.texasobserver.org/an-inside-look-at-taser-use-in-texas-prison/

Here’s a
#MondayMorningMinute
with #nature here on
The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland.

Take a moment.

#pause

Go do some #good.
Have the best week you can.
If you’re not having a good week - tell someone.
And if someone tells you -
Listen.
Really #listen.
#mentalhealth
#wellbeing
#bees
#dandelions

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will soon implement an ordinance against harassment by customers — the first of its kind in Japan — with the national government soon to follow. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/17/japan/society/tokyo-gears-up-for-customer-harassment-rule/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #customerharassment #jobs #mentalhealth #yurikokoike #tokyometropolitangovernment

NEW: In an essay, Ann Nguyen writes about her decades-long, torturous relationship with her Vietnamese mom and food.

"The thinner I was, the closer we became, bonded by our body dysmorphia and desire to hit the forever-moving bullseye of the abstract concept of “the perfect body” imagined by a society that knew it did not truly exist."

https://www.thexylom.com/post/perspective-forgiving-my-almond-mom

Mental health conditions are overdiagnosed, Streeting says:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7ejvr3y0zo

Absolutely fuming!

There are lots of people suffering without help because of the stigma around mental health. By effectively saying that people diagnosed with mental health are on the scrounge, the mental health crisis will worsen.

But I don't think that the red-Tories really give a fuck.

That's the dadgum truth, right there.

#disabled #disability #disabilityawareness #spoonie #accessibility #mentalhealth

Since this got so much attention, I'd like to use this moment of sunshine to invite you all to read with us next week:

https://inkican.com/gsbcw

First fasted outside run in 2 weeks following full on dose of man flu - had a couple of coughing fits (hence my very red look ) but glad I got it dun - 02 saturations at 95% 🩵 and now for cake to share @mlawton
@Mr_GHARice
@NoisetteDor #Running #runnersofmastodon #cake #athlete #sunday #silentsunday #music #Sport #Health #fitness #manflu #mentalhealth #mindfulness #bath #march #Spring #cherryblossom

The Atlantic recently published a feature about the loneliness epidemic that many Americans have fallen victim to — by our own doing in many cases. But what if there was a way back in to a healthier social life, one where the phone takes a back seat to meaningful friendships and experiences? There may be, Blair Braverman writes, in “Can Outdoor Friendships Solve the Loneliness Epidemic?” for @outside:

https://flip.it/Xyc53r

Dispatch from the inside: A prisoner in solitary watches as guards use Tasers on a naked, mentally-ill woman in a shower, and reflects on their increasingly brutal use in the #Texas correctional system. https://www.texasobserver.org/an-inside-look-at-taser-use-in-texas-prison/

The best advice I got to up my #mentalhealth in these dire times was a question

„At which point in your life did you have a sense of security?“

To me this was my childhood. So I started reading children’s books and listening to music that was around me during this period.
Helps me to stay afloat.

Maybe it helps some of you also

“In solitary confinement, many prisoners suffer from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and psychosis that are exacerbated by prolonged isolation. Those suffering from schizophrenia and other mental diseases are target practice for the Tasers on a daily basis.” https://www.texasobserver.org/an-inside-look-at-taser-use-in-texas-prison/