Denying Death+Barber Shops+Mental Health App Privacy

The Mental Health Update exists to help curious people make sense of mental health. We do this through highly accessible, deeply meaningful mental-health content created for all learning styles.

1. Stop Denying Death With This Mind-Changing Book
   
2. Be Amazed By Barber Shops Changing Health Care
   
3. Dig Into This Provocative Article About People Lengthening Their Limbs
4. Mental Illness Doesn't Make You Special? You Need to Read This
5. Don't Do Affirmations -- Try IFFirmations
6. Learn Which Mental Health Apps Invade Your Privacy With This "Privacy Not Included" Guide
7. "Chaos Monkey" Is the Idea You Need to Strengthen Your Resilience

Stop Denying Death With This Mind-Changing Book

Why this book matters for your mental health

I like reading books that stand apart. Books that have no comparison.I thought I was OK with my death after reading Stoic wisdom and Buddhist insight. But then I realized I was running from something. Ernest Becker calls it "The vital lie" in this book, The Denial of Death. This is a challenging read, but it's always the difficult books that end up changing my mental health and life the most.

If this book sounds like it's for you, you'll also like Memories, Dreams, and Reflections by C.G. Jung. It also deals with meaning and existence in a unique way. And Jung? Talk about a singular person who changed the world. 

Be Amazed By Black Barber Shops Changing Health Care

Why this article and site matter for your mental health

I learned about Live Chair Health recently, and now I wish I had been following them from the start. I'm a big believer in community-based, culturally sensitive health care. Indigenous communities knew a lot about communal healing. They still do. My time working with the Blackfeet in Montana taught me that. I love how Live Chair meets Black Americans where they are, in the environments they trust the most. Brilliant.

Dig Into This Provocative Article About People Lengthening Their Limbs

Why this article matters for your mental health

Ok, hmm. This surprised me. This guy wanted to go from 5'7'' to 5'10''.

But it was flippin' interesting reading this. Before you judge someone for undergoing a controversial procedure to be taller, learn about their story. We all have a story. There are big-time mental health components discussed in this article.

Mental Illness Doesn't Make You Special? You Need to Read This

Why this article matters for your mental health

This was another article that challenged me this week. It was a thoughtful take on the term "neurodivergence" getting out of control. I've had related thoughts, but I didn't know how to frame them. I'm still trying to make my mind up on this one. 

Personally, I think it's dangerous to identify yourself as any one thing, whatever that might be. We are complex human beings with so many disparate parts and pieces.

Don't Do Affirmations -- Try IFFirmations

Why these TikTok videos matter for your mental health

Affirmations can feel so forced sometimes. Watch these TikTok videos to learn why you should try iffirmations instead of the typical affirmations. I've found this approach to be true in my own life. The element of curiosity is so key.

Thank you to subscriber LB for suggesting this. It turns out I'm not the only one who LOVES the Recomendo newsletter. I've mentioned before that I think it's the best newsletter on the Internet for curious people. And I just have to plug CD as well (as she is known on Recomendo) because her mental-health-related newsletter is just fantastic.

Learn Which Mental Health Apps Invade Your Privacy With This "Privacy Not Included" Guide

Why this resource guide matters for your mental health

Another generous subscriber, KG, gave me this tip. I love hearing from you all, it just makes me so happy.

This is a really interesting resource guide from Mozilla, the privacy-focused web browser. I've worked in digital marketing, so I know how important data is for making good decisions. But when does it go too far? Apparently, these mental health apps don't respect your privacy very much. I'll let you decide for yourself.

"Chaos Monkey" Is the Idea You Need to Strengthen Your Resilience

Why this email newsletter / image matters for your mental health

And finally, a really short but helpful idea to change your life. I've mentioned in past issues that I really, really like the Sketchplanations newsletter for the way it condenses complex ideas into simple images. The man has created his own art form.

This one shows that maybe you actually need some chaos in your life to get stronger and more resilient. This is a really neat trick.