mental health Archives

mental health

respect your elders

society + culture

Respect Your Elders: Zoom With 72-Year-Old Therapist Antonio Feo

“Be present for yourself and others. It’s not asking a whole lot.”

Lou Barrett —

Oct 24, 2020

makeup

mental health

first person

A Scrutinized Body Becomes Art: How Makeup Helps Me Manage my Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Often, use of makeup, especially as a way to cover up perceived flaws, is seen as a symptom of body dysmorphic disorder. But for me, using makeup is not a…

Olivia Zayas Ryan —

Oct 8, 2020

bi week 2020

bisexuality

A woman holds her chin in her hands with a troubled expression while a myriad of hands point at her accusingly; the woman is depicted in black and white, floating in a background of soft blobs & shapes in the bi colors. In the upper left hand corner, a text box reads "Autostraddle Bi+ Week 2020"

society + culture

Unlearning Stigma This Bi+ Week

Stigma isn’t easy to overcome this. To a large extent, we can’t do it alone: we are social creatures, and we depend on developing and maintaining relationships with each other…

Christina Tesoro —

Sep 16, 2020

future present

mental health

health

Future Present: Change Happens When We Are Embodied

I knew we all wanted justice, ease and wellbeing, and that our anger was a manifestation of our love for each other. But I also watched as my own fight…

Caroline Contillo —

Aug 13, 2020

look into this

mental health

friendship

You Need Help: How Do I Get My Best Friend to Go to Therapy?

“Here is the good news—your best friend does have a therapist! Here is the bad news—that therapist is you!”

Christina Tucker —

Jul 21, 2020

covid-19

mental health

health

Some of Your Biggest Questions About Managing Mental Health During Covid, Answered by a Therapist

When are the Shoulds are invading your thought process, and try to be curious about that. What is it The Shoulds are trying to protect you from? What does doing…

Christina Tesoro —

Jun 23, 2020

community

mental health

relief workers in masks helping unload boxes

culture

How to Take Care of Each Other: Community Care In Times Of Crisis

“When we’ve all broken past the fear of being burdens on others, when we as communities learn how to ask for and give help and support, we’ll be able to…

Abbie Jones —

Jun 8, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

death is sad

first person

Learning To Live After My Younger Brother Died

When I unexpectedly lost my little brother to cancer, I had to learn how to close out his unfinished business and live life again without him.

An Bùi —

May 26, 2020

advice

into the af+ advice box

on the left, an elder therapist looks on as right, a younger client examines their genitalia in a handheld mirror, pop culture photo from Broad City

af+

Into the A+ Advice Box #12: Bisexual Marriage Blues, Sexting as a Bottom, and More!

Why does gay male sex turn you on if you’re a lesbian and is it okay? Plus, conflicting ideas about isolating & dating during quarantine, cheering up your partner over…

the team —

May 22, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

covid-19

There is ancestral trauma, and also don't forget to remember ancestral joy.

first person

Protective Spells For Mentally Ill Witches In A COVID-19 World

Shop for obscure ingredients in Asian supermarkets so you can replicate your favorite homecooked meals your mother used to make for you, and activate your ongoing transformation from helpless child…

Yumi Sakugawa —

May 14, 2020

covid-19

mental health

health

I Want You to Touch Me: Skin Hunger and Digital Dysphoria in a Pandemic

Chances are, you know someone who is quarantining alone right now. Maybe even you, yourself, are alone, and have been for the past several weeks. If so, it’s important to…

Christina Tesoro —

Apr 30, 2020

mental health

personal essay

first person

How to Quit Smoking

Tell yourself that you’re not like one of those chain smokers, that you can stop whenever you want. Start smoking American Spirits, so it’s like, not even that bad for…

Abbie Jones —

Apr 21, 2020