Without warning, my life was thrown into a tailspin at the start of last month when my wife fell gravely ill. Having pushed through like some caregiving automaton for some five weeks now (and counting), I'm starting to feel the burnout and to realise I need to exercise self-care now if I'm to go the … Continue reading Caregivers Like Me Need These 5 Reminders for Self-Care
One man returns from burying his father in their homeland, yet is too busy now with caregiving his wife and three kids (including a five-month-old baby) to grief his recent loss. Another struggles with his decision to resign from work after less than a year, due to mental stress triggered by caregiving his special needs … Continue reading Ingredients For A Thriving Community — A Preamble
Male Loneliness Men struggledMen sidelinedMen friendshipDisappearing Men disparagedMen unemployedMen domesticReappearing Men institutionsMen isolationsMen tribulationsMultiplying Men suicidalMen solitudeMen aloneReluctantly Men everywhereMen nowhereMen silencedDisturbing
Warning: What I'm about to say may sound downright offensive, especially to a group of "news heroes" who were recently featured in the local dailies. Please know, however, that "illuminating" is my intent for this post. Not offending. I call the group I mentioned "news heroes", not because they were publicly acknowledged for their grit … Continue reading Daily Living With Autism #13 — Worldly success measures needn’t apply
Previously I had written about living with my 87-year-old mom and her various health issues. The latest has been her skin condition. For the past several months, we've seen her skin turn dryer, even scalier. And she's been scratching herself almost non-stop every day. Many times to the point of bleeding. To say we've sought … Continue reading Parenting in reverse #3 — my mom and aging
Last week (and in fact this whole month), WMH Day or World Mental Health Day (10 October) was observed in various ways all over the globe. From national campaigns to promote mental wellness to local efforts like lighting up commercial buildings as a show of support and solidarity for the cause. The state of mental … Continue reading October is Mental Health Month — time to prioritise mental health for you and I
In the blink of an eye, my boys (and I) survived the first month of 2022. And what a month it's been! New books, uniforms, teachers and friends. Most of all, new routines and happenings. Looking back, this first month was pretty much all about these things, these adjustments. Some of them I saw coming. … Continue reading “Boys will be boys, don’t ask why.” Really?
It's that time of year again - December. Meaning 2021 is coming to a close. After the crazy we've had these past 20-21 months, you would think we're finally entitled to end this year of 2021 with some yuletide cheer right? Yet here we are again. Another Covid Christmas; with no clear end in sight … Continue reading My Conflicted Christmas & Year End Musings 2021
Last week I wrote about the unfortunate, ongoing trend of parents who don't listen to their kids, invariably leading many of them into depression. Or worse. Today, I want to share some practical strategies to help parents, should mental health issues ever surface in our children. It'll also be my way to archive valuable info … Continue reading Mental Wellbeing #2 of 2: Parents, listen without prejudice!
Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day. It takes place every year on September 10. Three days ago, I posted about one possible emerging trend related to suicide. One that, if not addressed, might make matters worse for grown men everywhere (feel free to check it out here if you've yet to). Today I want to … Continue reading Mental Wellbeing #1 of 2: Parents, we must listen. Now!
