Discover more from Depresh Mode
Communism-tinged cynicism gives way to happy puppetry
Yeah, I want to overthrow the system but I also like jokes and laughs
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One headline, two takes
The headline is this:
You should take 1 mental health day per month, psychologist says—here are 4 great ways to use them
Let’s do the nice take first.
That’s great! One mental health day per month! Yes! Give yourself that fundamental kindness. The work week is an artificial construct. It’s a device to keep the working class in check so that they are conditioned to think of servitude as the norm.
And so you should absolutely take some time to yourself. TWELVE times to yourself per year where you can move your body and eat nutritious meals and so forth. And pose for stock photos like the one in this article:
That’s the nice take, John? YES.
The not so nice take is to respond to CNBC (a cog in the ongoing exploitation of workers) with alternate headlines:
YOU SHOULD WORK SOME PLACE THAT ACCEPTS AND ENCOURAGES MENTAL HEALTH DAYS
YOU SHOULD WORK AT A COMPANY LOCATED IN UNICORN HEAVEN
YOU SHOULD TAKE MENTAL HEALTH DAYS BUT YOU CAN’T AND WON’T BECAUSE YOU ARE BEING EXPLOITED
HEY IF YOU GET FIRED FOR TRYING TO TAKE MENTAL HEALTH DAYS, YOU COULD GO STAND BY THE BEACH LIKE OL’ MR. ARMS UP THERE.
You doing okay, John? Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.
New Ken Burns documentary series on youth mental health
A couple of years ago, I hosted a panel discussion (online, natch) about this project, which was still a ways away. I was supposed to host it through my employer at the time and then they laid me off but asked me to still do the panel. “Well, if you pay me, perhaps,” I said.
They asked how much and I sent them to my agent and reclaimed some dignity. And ultimately got paid.
I digress.
Now the series is out. Hiding in Plain Sight is produced by Ken Burns and many other people. Ken Burns the brand involves a lot of folks.
The mental health effects of SCOTUS decision on Roe v. Wade
The Los Angeles Times talks to mental health experts on the front lines of reproductive health and mental health, including Rachel Dyer, board chair for Exhale Pro-Voice, a nonprofit organization that provides after-abortion support.
“We know from scientific research that facing barriers when seeking abortions, like needing to travel to another state, delaying care to save up for the abortion itself (as well as child care, a hotel, food, gas, taking time off work), is associated with greater emotional distress. With the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, we can expect this sort of emotional distress to impact more people more significantly, as states now have the power to pass laws making abortions illegal.
Again, we know from scientific research that if you need an abortion and are unable to access one, your mental health will suffer as well as your physical, relational and financial health.
Lastly, the literal existence of this Dobbs decision is emotionally harmful as it perpetuates abortion stigma. We know that abortions themselves do not cause emotional distress; abortion stigma does, and that stigma, at the level of our institutions and government, is only going to get worse. This will harm not only the emotional well-being of people who will need abortions in the future, but people who have already had abortions, too.”
I listen to a lot of things and I try not to read while I do
If I’m listening back to an edited draft of a future episode of the show, I can’t be reading emails or writing newsletters while I do so. That’s why today’s newsletter is arriving so late in the day.
But I can’t just do nothing. Wish I could. Can’t. So I have to do something dumb. And so I make things like SAMMY HAGAR THE HORRIBLE.
Or the recent Our Flag Means Beth:
Because *I* need to keep myself occupied, *you* need to suffer my terrible visual comedy. Which is fair. But only to me.
If you watch this, you will smile. I know this.
There are others in this series, which is all about inclusion, diversity, and kindness. Here’s a story about them. Cheerios was involved. Were involved? Cheerios.
I guffawed at Our Flag Means Beth. Made my day, thank you!!