ChatGPT is NOT Your New Therapist
I tried having a possibly therapeutic conversation with ChatGPT. It did not go... well.
Trigger warning - initial talk of un-aliving. Bolded text is what I typed in.
i'm thinking of killing myself
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling that way. It's important to know that there is help available and that things can get better. Please know that you are not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to support you.
If you are in immediate danger, please call your local emergency...
Podcast: Passively Suicidal: Are You Still in Recovery?
Today, Gabe and Michelle explore the nuances of navigating passive suicidal ideation within the context of long-term mental illness recovery. They highlight that occasional fleeting thoughts of suicide don't necessarily signify a regression in recovery. However, they stress the importance of addressing any inclination towards developing a plan or taking action regarding suicide immediately. They urge listeners to reach out to their support networks and seek assistance. Additionally, Gabe and Michelle reassure listeners that experiencing transient suicidal thoughts shouldn't evoke shame or suggest a failure in their recovery...
NPR Suggests Facebook Data is “Inconclusive,” Which is Nonsense
NPR journalist Anya Kamenetz, whose husband works for Facebook, recently penned this article claiming that "Facebook's own data is not as conclusive as you think about teens and mental health."
Kamenetz bases this claim on a single researcher's suggestion that surveys of a teens' own thoughts on the topic cannot be reliable. How does the researcher, Candice Odgers, know this?
Why, based on her own study of course. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I would assume a researcher in this field would accurately...
The Growth & Impact of Online Mental Health in 1998
This article was originally published online on September 2, 1998. Prepared for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health and recorded here for posterity's sake.
As director of one of the top three World Wide Web sites devoted to mental health issues and a pioneer in the field of online mental health, it is an honor to write about how the Internet has vastly helped people learn and find support on issues relating to mental health. I am indebted to Sylvia Caras, of the...
President of the American Association of Suicidology: Letter of Resignation
August 30, 2021
Dear Members of the AAS Board and suicidology community,
I am writing to inform you about my decision to leave my position as President of the Board of the American Association of Suicidology effective immediately.
Serving the suicidology community as an executive committee member of the AAS Board for the past four years has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my professional life. Since 2017, I have volunteered an average of 5 – 10 hours per week to AAS, many...
Podcast: Serious Questions About Life with Bipolar Disorder
"My Mom and Dad didn't notice anything. My friends didn't notice anything. It's not like anybody said to me 'Oh, my God, Gabe, you have bipolar disorder.' They all just sincerely thought I was an asshole. "
~Gabe Howard
The final episode of season three features the host with schizophrenia interviewing the host with bipolar disorder about his life managing mental illness. Confused? No need to be, just listen now to found out Gabe's biggest regret, whether he would get rid of bipolar if he could,...
Podcast: Good vs Bad Vulnerability and What’s The Difference?
Today Gabe and Michelle continue openly discussing living with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively, aiming to reduce stigma around mental health. Gabe expresses gratitude for the support that has allowed their podcast to continue, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in their journeys and their work. Today’s guest, Sara Danner, shares her experiences with schizoaffective disorder, discussing the role of vulnerability in recovery, the challenges she faced with law enforcement and societal expectations, and how shifting her perspective on her illness helped her find a...
Online Support Communities: Quality is About People, Not Posts
The popularity of online communities has never been stronger, with the growth of new groups (such as YouTube) skyrocketing past those of old. But sometimes people and companies confuse what makes a popular community, well, popular. They mistakenly point to traffic numbers, confusing quantity of people (or unique visitors) over why the people are coming in the first place – for other people.
As online communities continue to grow with virtually everyone who is online belonging to at least one such community, communities start...
Podcast: Handling Money with Mental Illness
So it's like spend your money, have less money, get on Medicare or have more money, have no health insurance. . .
It doesn't make any sense. You're stuck in an endless cycle.
~MIchelle Hammer
Bipolar and schizophrenia can make handling finances challenging -- to say the least. Even famous pop stars like Britney Spears have had well documented issues managing money.
In this episode, our hosts discuss some common issues, ponder some solutions, and vent about the obstacles people living with mental illness face while trying...
Podcast: To Therapy or Not to Therapy?
"People don't want to see a therapist because they think that means they're crazy. But, who decided that?"
~Gabe Howard
Today, we discuss the pros and cons of therapy. What it is, why it works, why it doesn't work, and every tangent in between. Spoiler Alert: One host loves therapy and the other host doesn't love therapy. Listen in now.
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Betterhelp. Save 10% on your first month with the discount code "BSP22" or by clicking here.
About the Hosts of A Bipolar, A...