This blog examines the unique combination of the Ozarks culture with women and men who take charge in their community to level the playing field. While many of the posts pertain to feminist ideals and sometimes struggles to adhere to them, there will be many posts giving a voice to other issues in the Ozarks, from the Black Lives Matters movement to the push for anti-discrimination legislation for LGBT. Join me on this journey throughout the hills of the Ozarks and the progress to come.
This ranty episode discusses topics ranging from wedding frustrations to social policy. Get ready to follow several tangents to get to the end.
Also, the name hasn't changed from WIC, that is the new name. The website was a bit confusing about the name change, so let me know if you could decode it.
This episode was a bit heavy, but it is super important!! I talk about some domestic violence stats and bring some real life examples to the power and control wheel. Next week, Part 2 will be on male victims in domestic violence and local, state, and national resources.
We will talk more about these numbers next week, but here are a couple Hotline numbers for you or someone you may know.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)
1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-4673
If you could pick a city to match your mentality on life,
where would you be? Tokyo, super busy with the lights always on? Any rural
town, wide open and more relaxed? Anchorage, beautiful, but possibly extremely
depressive during the time without sun? Once you have chosen a location,
analyze it for a moment. Now, are you content with that location? If not, what
needs to be done to change that?
Above is a thought experiment to help kick off something
that intimately affects approximately 6 people for every event. Those 6 people may be parents, siblings, other family members, and
friends. This pandemic is suicide among our loved ones. In hindsight,
professionals and loved ones will remember moments that could be translated
into signs of major depression and the rituals that tend to be done before a
person attempts suicide. These signs could be as blatant as telling the people
around them about their plans or as silent as giving important items to loved
ones as if enacting their will.
Statistics on Suicide
Found at American Foundation of Suicide Prevention
If you're currently having suicidal thoughts, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, 3.9% of people in the United States have had thoughts of attempting suicide and 1.1% has made plans. Approximately 40% of suicides are committed by people between the ages 45-65 and 85-plus. While most suicides are committed more often by older to middle aged white men, suicidal ideations and plans are more often set by females than males in the adolescent age range(1). Lastly, untreated and undiagnosed depression is the leading cause of suicide. While the last statement may seem obvious, it can be the easiest to miss. Many people will see the signs of depression and think, "they're just having a rough time" or "there are people in way worse circumstances." Those assumptions of another person's feelings will only isolate them more. With the increase of awareness, the signs will hopefully be seen before an attempt is made and counseling will be sought out.
Loved One Showing Signs?
Through my time and training spent as a volunteer advocate, I
have learned some of the myths and misconceptions when speaking to someone who
is stating they are suicidal. A major misconception is asking a person if they have thought of the details. If someone discloses to you they have been
thinking about killing themselves, find out exactly what they mean. Have they
thought about when? How? Where? Contrary to prior beliefs, asking a person about what they have planned, will not instigate the attempt. If anything, this will help the person realize the gravity of what they are saying. If the details are not planned, provide immediate, consistent support and consider resources to help with depression. If they know the details, it’s time to get
immediate help from a professional.
A feeling of hopelessness tends to not be permanent. With support and proper counseling, hope can be restored. In fact, I went to a Specialized Medical Training class and one of the topics discussed was about depression and suicidal ideations. During the lecture, the Golden Gate bridge was brought up.
Kevin Hines, in the video below, survived what most have not. Hines was quoted saying in a video by BuzzFeed,
"The millisecond my hands left the rail, it was an instant regret."
Since its opening, there have been 2,000 people attempt suicide by jumping from the bridge, only 1% have survived.
Words from HF
I hope if you're reading this, you have found some helpful information and resources. If you're experiencing depression, please, know you are loved. No matter what unfortunate events have happened or words that have been said, you are an important part of someones life, especially your own.
If you're giving support to someone who is surviving depression, thank you. You are a hero in your story and should be recognized. Keep up the work and feel free to also call the hotlines and crisis lines. The advocates and counselors may help you cope with the situation and provide further information about support.
Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist
Resources
If you are in need of a hotline for more information on prevention, visit SuicidePreventionLifeLine.org or call 1-800-273-8255 (for the United States). For the more national hotlines visit this link. Find more crisis lines at CrisisTextLine.org.
References
1 Mueller, A. S., James, W., Abrutyn, S., & Levin, M. L.
(2015). RESEARCH AND PRACTICE. Suicide Ideation and Bullying Among US
Adolescents: Examining the Intersections of Sexual Orientation, Gender, and
Race/Ethnicity. American Journal Of Public Health, 105(5), 980-985.
doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302391
When you first think of Melania Trump, what comes to your mind? If it helps, write them down on a piece of paper. Now, look at what you wrote down and put a tally by the things that you would have not known if she wasn’t married to Donald Trump, President-elect. I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for the election, I wouldn’t even know her name. I’m not interested in his business antics or reality show.
Now I ask, why are so many people directing their hate and shaming on her? She won’t even be staying in the White House (Trump’s daughter will be his first lady…. yes, America becoming more and more creepy). The slut shaming against Melania has been so blatant and crude, even some of the most liberal people I know are becoming what we fight to end.
Slut shaming Melania because of a man is playing right into the dirty, greedy patriarchal hands that keep women “in their place.” Instead of shaming another woman to “get at” her husband, we need to come together to ensure knowledge and awareness is spread among our fellow women about policies that will be passed by the dangerous men in charge.
The shaming includes making front of her accent or the fact she is not American born. I understand the hypocrisy by President-Elect Trump, but in the end, she is a legal citizen of the United States. Liberals making rally cries against Melania’s being an immigrant reinforces the conservative notion “that immigrants need to go back from where they’re from.” We have lost the few allies in the executive branch and wasting time/energy by taking cheap shots will not further our goals for equality.
Side tangent: Speaking of equality, I recently got in a Facebook discussion (somewhat respectful) about whether LGBT rights are in danger with the new administration. Pence’s actions while Governor of Indiana, clearly show his dislike of anyone different than him….*cough* *cough* *douche bag*.
I got a little side tracked. Our country is in for rough four years and we cannot break our resilience or conviction. Let’s concentrate on protecting and supporting each other.
This ranty episode discusses topics ranging from wedding frustrations to social policy. Get ready to follow several tangents to get to the end.
Now I ask, why are so many people directing their hate and shaming on her? She won’t even be staying in the White House (Trump’s daughter will be his first lady…. yes, America becoming more and more creepy). The slut shaming against Melania has been so blatant and crude, even some of the most liberal people I know are becoming what we fight to end. 