#Intervention Strategies

[farmerstrend]

Comparative Analysis of Blights: Early Blight, Late Blight, and Gummy Stem Blight

In the field of plant pathology, the ability to differentiate between different diseases is essential for efficient crop management. This article examines the traits that differentiate Early Blight, Late Blight, and Gummy Stem Blight. Early Blight Early Blight, caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, is a common disease that affects a wide range of plants, particularly those in the Solanaceae…

[capsulelabs08]

Merits of Alumni Feedback in Higher Educational Institutions

In the perpetually evolving landscape of higher education, one cannot underestimate the influence wielded by alumni relations. Alumni represent the juncture linking the past and the present, bridging those who once traversed the revered halls of an institution with those presently gracing its precincts. These associations, constructed upon shared experiences create an unique identity. These…

[lunarharp]

the scrabblers and their bored boyfriends

[seawitchkaraoke]

Listen the battle episodes of junior year are simply some of my fave battle eps ever, I'm rewatching the last stand right now and man I'll never get over how ridiculously competent each and every one of them are, they're so hot for real for real

[baejax-the-great]

Inspired by a bizarre argument I had on reddit,

I think the question comes down to whether the word "treatment" encompasses strategic behaviors for lessening negative outcomes that result from ADHD symptoms or if treatments are meant to alleviate the symptoms themselves.

[forbidden-salt]

Breaking the Silence; My Mental Health Story for Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day

By ForbiddenSalt

9/10/2024

Trigger Warning: This blog post discusses suicidal ideation, depression, and mental health struggles. If you are in a vulnerable state, please read with caution, and know that support is available through resources like 988, friends, and loved ones.

Resources and helpful tools for self and loved ones provided below the fold.

My Story:

Suicide Awareness Day holds a deeply personal meaning for me. For years, I struggled silently with suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety, unsure of how to ask for help or whether I deserved it. Sharing my story now is not just about raising awareness, but about offering hope to anyone who feels the same weight I once carried.

At the age of 13, I began to experience something many people are hesitant to talk about—suicidal ideation. But it wasn’t until I was in college that I truly realized how dangerous those thoughts had become.

I remember one day when I was walking across campus from class to my dorm, lost in thought, and accidentally stepped off the curb without looking. A car was coming toward me. Instinctively, I jumped back, avoiding an accident. But what happened next startled me more than the near-miss. As I stood on the sidewalk, tears welled up, not because I was relieved, not because I was scared—I was upset that my instincts had saved me. I realized I wasn’t crying because I had narrowly avoided getting hit by a car; I was crying because, in that moment, I wanted to be hit. It would have been an "accident"—a way out without me having to act intentionally.

It dawned on me that this was something much more serious than I had admitted to myself.

This wasn’t the first time I had experienced suicidal thoughts, but it was one of the most shocking moments. I knew I needed help. I sought out a counselor at the campus health center and, for a time, tried therapy. When I went home for a break, I spoke to my doctor, and she prescribed me an SSRI. I confided in my family and was met with mixed reactions—some were supportive, while others expressed concerns about the medication, urging me to stop taking it as quickly as possible. This set up an internal battle for me; I began starting and stopping my medication over the next few months, caught between fear and shame; and eventually quit all together.

Suicidal ideation lingered in the back of my mind for years. I wished for a pause button, a way to make the world stop so I could catch my breath and somehow not fall behind. I dreamed of getting hurt or sick enough to be hospitalized, just so I could take a break from life’s demands. But I never let myself act on those thoughts.

It wasn’t until my mid-20s that things got so bad I returned to therapy. This time, it was different. My new therapist helped me understand that I wasn’t “crazy”—I was carrying the weight of childhood trauma and years of struggling to survive. She diagnosed me with complex PTSD, and for the first time, I felt understood. Her support gave me the strength to make significant changes in my life, including moving to a new state.

There, I found another therapist who continued to guide me through the ups and downs. I started back on an SSRI and have stayed on it ever since. Through this process, I realized that what I had been dealing with wasn’t just emotional—it was also biological. My body wasn’t producing enough serotonin, and my chronic illnesses, were compounding these mental health struggles by denying my body the tools to make its own serotonin and through the weight of the symptoms. Especially for a while before there was any answer or treatment plan in sight.

I went through EMDR therapy, talk therapy, and put in the hard work to heal. I focused on my physical and mental health, fighting for answers and for my life. Slowly, I began to reclaim control. I started to recognize the warning signs of passive suicidal ideation and created an action plan for when those thoughts creep in. I don’t go to therapy as often now, but I still have touch-base appointments in case something changes.

Through this journey, I’ve learned so much about myself and the nature of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD were not signs that I was lazy or difficult, though I was often labeled as such. They were symptoms of a much deeper issue. I wish people could see that depression isn’t a mindset or mood and suicidal thoughts are not selfish—they are the final, fatal symptom of a disease.

It took a long time for me to accept that what I went through wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t to blame for the trauma I endured or the way my brain and body responded to it. And if you’re reading this and find yourself in a dark place, I want you to know you are not alone. I know what it’s like to stand in the darkness for so long that it starts to feel like home. But I also know that it is possible to fight back, to heal, and to find hope again.

If you can’t fight for yourself right now, I encourage you to reach out to someone—anyone—who can sit with you in your pain. Let them help you find a therapist, a doctor, or simply help with daily tasks. It might not be the person you expect. For me, one if my company leaders had noticed my depression and helped me find a therapist. I had a best friend who sat with me over the phone while I sobbed broken hearted, encouraging me to seek help if I needed it. That going to the hospital if I needed it wasn’t shameful or weak but brave and admirable. It was my grandmother, who spoke to me daily, reminding me of my faith and offering love when I couldn’t love myself and felt those I loved most didn’t love me.

Faith also played a huge role in my healing. I’ve had my share of questions and anger, but my belief that God could handle my questions and my rage helped me through some of the darkest times. I questioned why my life was going the way it was, why I was feeling the way I did, if He knows everything before it happens, if he’s all powerful why didn’t he step in to change the course of my life away from this. My questions turned to anger and I had to keep reminding myself that God had shoulders big enough for my anger, my tears, my pain. That I could toss all of it at him and he’d still see me still, love me. I never doubted his existence, and honestly to this day I still don’t have all the answers but I’m sure one day I’ll understand and I’ve realized I was still loved even when I couldn’t see it.

My family eventually came around too. Even my dad, who I had thought didn’t believe me, recently admitted how scared he had been for me after he had kept his fears hidden for years since it had gotten bad. We were able to talk and he listened, shared his point of view, and made the effort to understand. He allowed me to assure him I was safe now, I was doing better, and it’s changed our relationship for the better. While I had found my way to stability without knowing if my family believed or supported me, learning my family did care enough to worry, cared enough to learn, and loved me enough to listen even if what I said was hard to hear meant the world to me.

If you’re struggling, know that there is help out there. Call 988 for support, reach out to friends, hug your dog or cat, cling to your faith—whatever gets you through the next moment. Each day is a step, and that’s enough. It doesn’t have to be a leap—it just has to be forward.

Resources for support below:

Here are some coping strategies:

1. Box Breathing: This simple technique can help reduce anxiety. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and pause for four. Repeat until your heart rate slows and you feel more grounded. You can do this while on a video call too just let your eyes glide along the edges of the screen while you hold and breathe.

2. Straw Breathing: Another great calming tool—take a deep breath in, and then slowly exhale like you’re blowing through a straw. It mimics the relaxing response of the parasympathetic nervous system and helps you focus.

3. Journaling: I started journaling, reminding myself it didn’t have to be perfect. It was just for me. I stopped feeling guilty if I skipped days or weeks and let the words flow when I needed them. If you struggle with journaling, try creating an anonymous blog where you can rant and vent without worrying about dates or continuity. I have a separate Tumblr just for this—a void I can yell into when I need to.

4. Bilateral Stimulation: Butterfly taps—crossing your arms and tapping on opposite shoulders—helped calm me during moments of stress. This was especially useful during EMDR therapy, which became one of my strongest tools.

5. Creating a Routine: I used to go to the gym to cope before my chronic illness made it harder, so I shifted to art as a form of expression. Creating anything—whether it’s a routine or a creative outlet—can make a difference.

6. Boundaries and Emotions: Learning boundaries and reconnecting with my emotions was vital. One book that really changed my perspective was Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly, which helped me embrace my anger as a valid emotion. Learn how to advocate for yourself and establish boundaries. This takes time, but it’s one of the most empowering things you can do for your mental health.

7. Prioritize Yourself: Make time for what you need—therapy, the gym, a bath, or a doctor’s appointment. And allow yourself to rest. Your mind and body will force you to stop if you keep ignoring the warning signs.

8. Taking Shortcuts: Too tired to make a proper meal? That’s okay. Eat food however it comes—deconstructed meals are all the rage anyway. I’ve had moments where lunch was just handfuls of cheese and lunch meat. The goal is to nourish yourself, and sometimes that means being kind to yourself about how you do it.

10. Create Safety Nets: If you're heading somewhere that could be triggering, plan for it. What’s your exit strategy? Can you bring a comfort item, like a fidget toy, a blanket, or a stuffed animal? Having a plan can give you a sense of control.

11. Redirecting Negative Thoughts: When I get caught in negative thoughts, I ask myself if these thoughts are helping me process emotions or if they're just hurting me. If I’m not ready to process them, I work on redirecting my focus to something more helpful.

13. Emotional Support Animals: If you can, get an emotional support animal. My mini schnauzer has helped me through so much, even though she doesn’t know it.

How can I help a loved one:

1. Listen First: Before jumping to solutions, take time to listen. Validate the person's feelings, and let them process before suggesting how to fix things. Most of the time, they already know the solution; they just need space to work through it.

2. Stop Shaming Mental Health: Be mindful of how you talk about mental health. I’ve overheard loved ones shaming people for being "selfish" or "foolish" for being depressed, anxious, suicidal and even those that did commit suicide not knowing how often it was on my mind. Those words made it even harder to speak up and ask for help.

3. Fear and Guilt Are Not Helpful Tools: Fear and guilt are not effective motivators when it comes to mental health. I once told someone close to me that I didn’t believe people who commit suicide go to hell. Just as someone who passes from cancer doesn’t go to hell for how they died, I believe the same for depression—it’s an illness. They responded that they hoped fear of hell would keep me from acting on those thoughts. I explained that, by the time someone is ready to act, they likely don’t care anymore. The weight of the pain is overwhelming, and fear or guilt won’t pull them back.

4. Recognize the Signs: Suicidal ideation, passive suicidal ideation, and suicidal plans are all dangerous and need treatment and support. It may begin with passive thoughts like, “I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t wake up tomorrow,” but those can shift into active planning if left unchecked. Just because someone hasn’t acted on it doesn’t mean they don’t need help. Depression doesn't always look the same for everyone. It could be messy rooms, low energy, or a lack of interest in things that once brought joy. It could also look like reckless behavior, withdrawing, or joking about death. These subtle signs shouldn’t be brushed off—they’re as important as overt cries for help and worth a check as little as “hey you keep making these jokes, I just want to make sure you really are okay?” If someone is talking about feeling hopeless, giving away possessions, withdrawing from loved ones, or engaging in risky behavior, these are red flags.

5. Offer practical support: Whether it’s helping with daily tasks, providing a ride to a therapy appointment, or just sitting quietly with them, practical support can be a lifeline.

6: Encourage professional help: Gently suggest therapy, medical care, or other professional help if the person hasn’t already sought it. Be patient and compassionate, understanding that reaching out can be terrifying for them.

7. Be present: Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there. Your physical and emotional presence can provide comfort, even when there are no words.

If you have a loved one who you worry is going through something, or has confided in you and you are worried for them. Don’t wait. Speak to them. Ask them how you can help, what’s going on, listen. If you’re afraid for them, even after they have gotten to the other side, don’t let your fears tear at you for months, tell them then listen and trust that when they say they are good, have come out the other side have an action plan for when they notice the signs - belive them. If you can’t let it go still, seek your own support. The fear of loosing someone you care about is worthy of attention. If you’re reading this because someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, thank you for caring. Supporting someone with suicidal ideation can be incredibly difficult, but your presence matters more than you might realize.

If you or someone you love is struggling, find Resources for Support:

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate help in the U.S. Available 24/7.

2. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

3. The Trevor Project: Focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth, The Trevor Project offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Text START to 678678 or visit their website.

4. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI provides free, confidential support for mental health concerns. Call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741.

5. The Jed Foundation: Focused on mental health support for teens and young adults, the Jed Foundation works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide. Visit jedfoundation.org for more information.

6. The Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for confidential support. Available 24/7.

Suggestions for Keeping Yourself Safe:

1. Create a safety plan: Write down a plan for when suicidal thoughts occur. This could include calling a trusted friend, therapist, family, distracting yourself with an activity you enjoy, or going to a safe place where you can feel grounded and making an appointment with your doctor.

2. Reach out to a support network: Whether it’s friends, family, or a therapist, let someone know how you’re feeling. It’s important not to isolate yourself when you’re struggling.

3. Remove means: If you’re feeling unsafe, remove items that could be harmful or ask someone you trust to hold onto them temporarily. There is no shame in this ever.

4. Practice grounding techniques: When suicidal thoughts take over, try grounding yourself with techniques like deep breathing, focusing on your senses, or engaging in mindfulness exercises. These can help bring you back to the present moment. Call on your faith if you need to to get by, play with your pet anything to help you get grounded and move through the feeling

5. Remember that feelings pass: In the heat of the moment, it can feel like the pain will last forever. But emotions are temporary, and feelings—even the darkest ones—eventually pass. That feelings are normal and natural and have no moral judgement, feel it, acknowledge it, and let it move through knowing another feeling will come your way take its place.

Recovery isn’t pretty, and life isn’t perfect; but you are worth fighting for.

[ninetqs]

are you saying carlos win is inevitable

if i ever say this you should come to my apartment and kill me because i've clearly been replaced by an alien

[indecisivelesbian]

when i was in a level psychology my teacher once asked my class how long we thought we had left before our species went extinct. most of us gave variations in the realm of thousands of years, but my friend said it would be within this century. when we asked her why she just said 'idk i just don't think we're going to last much longer' and we all laughed it off and said she was just being pessimistic. but now i see the way the world is absolutely refusing to respond to climate change the way it needs to and i think she was right.

[caittaylor]

Visual Diary 2: Wicked Problems

Horst Rittel uses the term “wicked problems” to describe problems that are more important and have higher significant issues. These problems are inherently unsolvable. I believe that education reform is an example of a wicked problem. The current world that we live in is rapidly changing. Every year it seems like we are finding ourselves adapting to new changes, and ways of being. In the world of education, it feels as if we are behind in some ways. We need to create and ensure an equal opportunity and level of education and preparedness for all students.

[sydneykarlockvisualdiary]

Visual Diary #2 - Wicked Problems: Technology Usage

How can we encourage individuals to reduce their reliance on personal devices, especially during moments with partners, families, and/or during meals? I am guilty of this wicked problem and notice myself wanting to change my habits. AS technology and phone addictions have increased, I find myself less present during meals, wanting to reach for my phone or thinking about what is going on in the social world. I have found myself needing to create intentional, phone-free times when with my partner to have a more enriching and deeper conversation.

[surinderbhalla]

Early Signs of Schizophrenia and Prevention Strategies!

Schizophrenia, a complex and often misunderstood mental disorder, affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by a range of symptoms that impact thoughts, emotions, and behavior. While the exact cause of schizophrenia remains elusive, early detection and intervention are crucial for managing the condition effectively. In this article, we delve into the early signs of…

[ranseiuniter]

mini-headcanon; I don't really have the mental bandwith to elaborate on this properly, but I jokingly compared Hiroko to a (d&d-style) Cleric, and, yeah that about sums up her abilities insofar as her link to Arceus. Minus the slightly overpowered spell list (in the context of roleplay) once you start hitting level 3 or so.

[brick-van-dyke]

While, yes, there is evidence of this being some of the case, I think it's important to also consider two important things: where the company who produced this source sit and how much of what's out there was propaganda for Russia or by others (and how this may somewhat overlap considering anti US government sentiment is something shared by both the Russian government AND US communists who are legit leftists).

So who owns WIRED? How reliable is it and how much weight should this article be given? The simple answer is, yes, it's all true, but also we have to be aware of the framing of this article and, most importantly, what is being omitted and what is being highlighted. There was absolutely interference in the 2016 election, this has also been proven in courts and in other sources beyond just the one given, so WIRED absolutely checks out with its facts as being true. However, not everyone who had this opinion was a Russian spy and certainly people who hated and still hate Hillary are Russian spies at all. However, many are leftists who are radical communists or anarchists who hold an agenda similar to that of Russia; the growth of communist ideologies and anti us government sentiment.

That reflects today and it's not only true for the US, but for Palestine as well. For those unfamiliar, Russia has been pushing (along with China) for a single state solution for Palestine and have been very aggressively anti Israel. This isn't because what Israel is doing is wrong though, this is because Israel is aligned with the USA and NATO, which is exactly what Russia's target was during election interference in the USA before and would be once again today. It's entirely to undermine the capitalist/ liberal USA government and always has been since even the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

What needs to be considered in this case is this then; is it an enemy of the capitalist system only or the existence of the USA at all? Would a new purely leftist government taken through revolution be Russia's goal, or the destruction of the government in order to win in a war? I actually don't know, but I do know that I can agree that democrats have committed horrific acts to keep NATO existing and that NATO itself is an imperialist power.

This is where a lot of nuance comes in here, do we accept that there is Russian propaganda that happens to align with leftist ideals or do we reject our own ideals because we don't want to confirm to Russian interference? It's hard to know what way is the "right" way since there is a lot of geopolitical factors at play here. It's hard to know what would be the overall best. Ultimately, I think it depends what type of future we, as individuals, want for the USA. If you're a Trotskyist, for example, you may align with Russia's perspective already since you already happen to believe in the same ideologies. Likewise, you may be against the fall of the government overall and want internal change through peaceful means and no use of force, which means voting blue anyway regardless of who it is even without this interference or knowledge of it. I think, in this way, as much as it is important to know all of this, it isn't as earth shattering as one might think at first glance. There's nuance and context behind it that, when you think about it, isn't all that surprising.

Essentially, it really depends on your beliefs and how ""susceptible"" to said propaganda you are. Especially since this propaganda isn't just "Russian propaganda" but specifically communist propaganda, which will push people into being radicalised into far left circles, which...isn't really a bad thing depending on where you sit. Of course, this isn't for everyone and those who are more centrist/ moderates would see it as a very bad thing for so much far left propaganda to exist and push for revolution. And overall, of course, both sides would have at least some concern that it's from a foreign country, no matter how inevitable it is due to the geopolitical context that said country would do this in any situation that could radicalise people into communism.

For people who don't remember the 2016 Tumblr was full of Russian trolls who posed as progressive social justice blogs and urged young liberals to throw their vote away on a third party. You can read more about it here :https://www.wired.com/story/tumblr-russia-trolls-propaganda/ This camapign was extraiordinary succesful and third party voters were a key reason why Trump one( if you look at the electoral results you will see that the race was so close that if the third party votes had gone to Hillary she would have easily buried Trump) Sadly we didn't know that this was a orchestred camapign until Tumblr released the data itself and told us who the blogs were. Those were not simple spam blogs. They were pros. They knew how to talk to people, they made real posts and interacted. They tried this in 2020 but we were wary because the memories were still fresh But now thy are trying again. I just found this guy who is running the EXACT same play book as in 2016. Pretending to be a person of color , poting progresive posts while at the same time urigng everyoe to vote third party. As soon as I called him out he immedately blocked me beause he knew I outed him. So now i's up to you guys. Don't let Trump supporting Russian trolls run their psy ops here. Report en masse and get them now instead of waiting for months for tumblr to tell us they worked for Trump REPORT THIS RUSSIAN TROLL NOW. DON'T LET THEM PULL THEIR GAMES AGAIN: https://www.tumblr.com/decolonize-the-left

[familydocblog]

Can Alzheimer's be prevented if caught early? 

Discover the power of early detection in Alzheimer's disease. Learn how timely intervention, lifestyle changes and research advancements can improve outcomes and quality of life.

Introduction  Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, progressive neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide. Characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioral changes, Alzheimer’s significantly impacts individuals, families and communities. While a cure remains elusive, early detection plays a vital role in managing the disease and enhancing the quality of life for those…

[decervantes]

A Stake in the Ground: Women Deserve Autonomy

It may sound obvious, but this is a stake in the ground that not everyone agrees with. We live in a country where a woman's right to choose what happens to her body has shrunk drastically. We live in a world where female genital mutilation is still very much a reality. My company started working with a new non-profit organization called This Is What Happens When Women Read. The organization's creation is a direct result of the founder's personal experience of finding new meaning in life through the wisdom she found in literature. The mission and goals of the organization are intertwined with her personal story and her leadership in bringing the vision to life.

I agree wholeheartedly with the stake in the ground. Women deserve education, independence, and autonomy.

[handwashingday]

Why are clean hands still important for academics?

Academics have a unique opportunity to address hand hygiene gaps through their research by focusing on evidence-based strategies and translating findings into practical applications. The 2022 Hand Hygiene Research Summary emphasizes the need for behavior change beyond awareness, suggesting that academics can contribute by exploring the determinants of hand hygiene behavior, such as social norms, enabling technologies, and emotional motivators. By conducting interdisciplinary research that spans public health, psychology, and technology, academics can develop comprehensive programs that not only educate but also facilitate long-term hand hygiene behavior change.

Furthermore, academics can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and practice. Studies have shown that access to handwashing facilities and supplies is a critical determinant for maintaining good hand hygiene. Additionally, by engaging in participatory research, academics can work directly with communities to co-create solutions that are culturally appropriate and sustainable. This approach not only addresses the immediate gaps in hand hygiene but also fosters a culture of health and safety that can have a lasting impact on public health outcomes.

Academics should address evidence gaps in hand hygiene and translate their research into practical resources for intervention and program development. This approach ensures that hand hygiene practices are informed by the latest findings and effectively implemented to enhance public health outcomes. For more insight on the current state of the field, check out the 2023 Hand Hygiene Research Summary here.