Featuring Dr. John Huber & Kristin Sunata Walker – http://www.mainstreammentalhealth.org/

What You Halloween Costume Reveals About You

Halloween costumes are a great way to peer into your friend or loved one’s mind, personality or mood for the day! They are also good reflections of one’s inner, hidden desires that they may be afraid to express. And it allows teens to explore alter egos or their identity and for adults to be kids again.

For example, individuals who choose political figures may reflect party affiliations, who they consider to be polarizing news figures or preferred candidates.

Guys who opt for a pirate costume may reflect their inner rebellious spirit, fearlessness, or secret desire for criminality and decadent behavior.

A sex kitten may reflect a woman who wants to exhibit sex appeal but is not allowed to express that side for fear of judgment while a nurse may want to exhibit warmth and care during the day and sexuality at night.

And finally men who fantasize about being a super hero such as Batman, Spiderman or Superman, may be tapping into their inner savior who wished they could rescue the world while being adored and remaining private.

In the hallowed halls of Washington, DC, a drama is being played out for the entire world to witness; the confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court for Brett Kavanaugh. In the minds and hearts and bodies of sexual assault survivors, something even more powerful is rampaging through.

In increasing numbers, people are coming forward to share their #metoo stories following the allegations from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and now two other women who say that he perpetrated sexual assault in one form or another in his teens and early adulthood. He adamantly denies any wrongdoing, stating that he was a virgin “many years” into college even though none of his alleged victims have made claims of rape or sexual penetration.

As a result of being bombarded with this information on the news and via social media there is a heightened sense of anxiety and PTSD symptoms among those who report one or more assaults throughout their lifetimes. These triggers re-traumatize. The invasive encounters range from unwanted or coercive touch to violent penetration, from one perpetrator to gang rape, from stranger attack to date rape, from incest to on the job aggression. The gender of the perpetrators and survivors are across the spectrum, but the majority coming forth are female identified.

Clarifying Statistics

Less than one-quarter of sexual assaults are committed by strangers, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Rather, 43 percent of sexual assaults are committed by friends or acquaintances, and 27 percent are committed by a current or former significant other, according to RAINN.

‘Lawnmower Parents’ Take Over From ‘Helicopter Moms’ As The New Generation Aim To Shield Their Children From Adversity 

A new generation of parents are leaving their children unequipped to deal with adversity, teachers and psychologists say.  The ‘lawnmower parent’ is one who rushes to push down any hurdle that could get in their child’s way, relieving them from any inconvenience or hardship.

In an anonymous article for We Are Teachers, one educator revealed their own brush with a ‘lawnmower parent’ when they were called to the office to pick something up from a student’s father. Thinking it would be something important, like medication or lunch, the teacher was outraged to see the man standing there, holding an insulated water bottle.

STORY LINK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6182905/Lawnmower-parents-helicopter-moms.html