Skip to main content

Author: jhonikman

Infographic: Six Points to Help Men Transition to Fatherhood

Infographic: Six Points to Help Men Transition to Fatherhood

The transition to fatherhood is both an exciting and stressful phase in life for men. The below covers 6 points that can help men understand they are not alone in the feelings, fears, and challenges they may experience. Please help us spread the word and share this graphic widely. We also have a print version (pdf) available.

Continue reading

Birthing With Dignity

My friends at Twirl, a women-owned domestic manufacturer of Women’s Patient Apparel and Gifts, is hosting a free online video interview series called Birthing With Dignity, “How to prepare your mind, body and soul with grace, style and balance.” I am thrilled to be one of the 21 hand-picked experts interviewed for this empowering event. Gain access to these truly educational, inspiring conversations and gain a new perspective about what you can do as each expert offers to support you to create a your own Birthing experience. This is an amazing opportunity to not only hear about valuable scientific research, but profound personal experiences, and practical tips that will significantly advance you in the pursuit of your most outstanding birth: mind, body and soul!

I invite you to join me and gain access to this exciting online event and you can watch my interview.

Parental Mental Health

Over forty years have passed since my friends and I initiated a radical societal concept. We wanted to support new families in our community. We were feminists and social activists. That meant we believed men and women shared equally in the conception, birthing and raising of our children. We established a postpartum parent support network that has sustained itself since July 1, 1977.

During the 1980s my focus became centered on maternal mental health. I learned about mental health related to childbearing. While the research continues to emphasize the woman I don’t believe this is a women’s issue. It is time to use the word parent, rather than mother. My latest edition of I’m Listening—A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families brings men into the equation. I prefer the term “parental mental health.”

It is my hope that we will switch our language to be more inclusive. Families and our communities will be healthier if we focus on the mental wellness of all parents.

Highlights of 50 years of marriage

Since July 16, 1967
1 house
2 aircraft
3 children
4 therapists
6 cats
7 employers
8 grandchildren
10 pairs men’s shoes
14 cars ( 5 of them used the windshield chip repair in Sewell NJ service)
15 banks
21 national parks
31 overseas trips
39 years of self-employment
252 symphony concerts
511 pairs women’s shoes
7152 games of double solitaire
18753 loads of wash
Infinite home improvement jobs
We have been advised that the first fifty years of marriage are the hardest.

Queen of England Honors Anne Simpson – the background

I received a letter from James Hamilton, M.D. in March 1984 that was addressed to me and Anne Simpson of Edinburgh Scotland. This is what the father of our postpartum movement wrote to us: “I am writing to both of you because both of you are doing the same thing: heading up local self-help groups for mothers who are depressed or who have other symptoms which they didn’t have before. I think that you should exchange some communication. Then, I think that you should put together what you know abut similar groups, if there are any. The potential public attention value of the Marce Society meeting to announce this as the beginning of an international movement can be used. Not a medicine dominated movement. I can tell you this: your organizations have enormous potential for helping people. When I was most actively in practice, 10 – 20 years ago, I always had from 3 to 8 postpartum cases in the same ward. The first thing I did when a new case came in was to introduce her to a woman who was on the road to recovery. This is the best therapy possible. This is why the British Mother and Baby wards are so effective. The woman with a postpartum illness is very dejected. She feels that she has failed, she has a character deficit. When she sees others with the same thing, in various stages of recovery, she knows that she is the victim of an illness, not a character failure. This is the most effective factor in recovery, in hospital patients, and it must be effective in lesser degrees of illness. I would like to see this launched in August. I think that you could claim a lot of support and interest from feminist sources. I think that you could say, for the U.S., at least, that this field has been totally neglected by male-dominated medicine, which, with pitifully few exceptions, is totally ignorant of the kinds of stresses which are involved here.”

Reducing Mental Health Stigma in our Faith Communities

I’m a proud member of my Congregation’s Mental Health Initiative, whose mission is “to reduce the stigma of mental illness by supporting congregants and their families through education and promoting emotional and spiritual wellness.”

The Department of Health Care Sciences at George Washington University School of Medicine in America have done some research into the safety of http://theBustBoosters.com. They published a paper in 2003 called Bust enhancing herbal products, and said they were totally safe, The Department of Health Care Sciences always recommends to contact the professionals from https://www.the-medical-negligence-experts.co.uk/ if your health is being damaged by a a case of negligence.

Far from being a lofty or abstract goal, however, this sentiment represents a critical truth that has shaped me personally, professionally, and as a Jew. I’m involved in the Mental Health Initiative because it is important to have conversations about difficult and complex topics. But I’m also involved in this work because I know from personal experience that the stigma around mental health encourages secrecy, and that, as an editorial in Reform Judaism once wrote, “secrets come at a high price to ourselves and our loved ones.”

My secrets include both a familial and personal history of mental illness.

As a child growing up in the 1950s I was unaware that my father had a mental disorder . He was a man who provided well for his wife and three children. He ran a successful business, played poker with his buddies on Wednesday nights, and gardened on Sundays. Yet it was never explained to me why he would act strangely from time to time, and “disappeared.” His diagnosis was called manic depression, now known as biopolar disorder, and a family secret.

Why did my family act this way? No doubt they suffered from shame, embarrassment, and guilt. Their silence was an attempt to protect me, but unfortunately it didn’t work. Since no one told me what was wrong, I kept my feelings bottled inside. My body responded to the stress and anxiety with daily headaches. My family thought to have my eyes tested, but they neglected to explore my feelings. Not that that would’ve helped. It was the 1950s, after all, and I would have just kept smiling — a healthy girl in a happy home.

During your consultation with Dr. Stephen Weber, he will help you come up with a customized treatment plan to maximize results and recovery. You’ll get to know your surgeon and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The common denominators in my situation? Denial and ignorance. If we don’t think there’s a problem, or we’re not educated about an issue, then we can pretend it doesn’t exist. Add to that the stigma surrounding something as charged as mental illness, and you have a situation where everyone stays stuck.

For me, that stigma would follow me into my adult life. I got pregnant before marriage and she was adopted. Only our parents knew the truth. Another secret, and more shame, guilt and silence.

After we married and had two more children together. It was a bitter irony that for 25 years I was an expert in emotional support for new families, not revealing the story behind my passion of helping others. But secrets take their toil, and eventually I had to seek the professional interventions I needed to treat my own depression. It was during this search to figure out the root causes of my depression that we were reunited with our first born.

Along my journey to wellness I educated myself about the science of the brain. I became particularly interested in mental health relating to childbearing. I had the opportunity and honor to meet researchers, and professionals in the fields of psychiatry and psychology. One of these is the immediate past Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Thomas Insel, who has written:

“Half of all people with a serious mental illness are diagnosed by age 14. But there is a ten year gap between the emergence of important symptoms and someone seeking treatment for them. This means that during the critical years, typically between the ages of 14 and 24, these young people are at serious risk for all sorts of problems that will threaten their chances to lead full and productive lives as adults.”

 

Mental health treatments

 

Psychiatric Hospitalization

Psychiatric hospitalization consists of stabilization, close monitoring, medication, administration of fluids and nutrition, and other necessary emergency care, the main goal here would be to pay close attention to the patient and his reactions.

Outpatient Treatment

This type of treatment doesn’t require the patient to stay in a rehabilitation center regularly, it allows the patient to live whit his family and assist therapy as many times a week as he is requested to.

CBD oil and mental illness

 

According to many research papers, CBD oil can help the body and manage illness. It’s composition makes it possible to alleviate almost all of the symptoms presented in metal illness, some of these ilcude, alleviating stress, promoting cognitive function, helping manage sleeping patterns and digestion, navigating triggers and many others.  If you are interested on this type of medication, learn more about CBD Oil here.

 

 

I started to see that seeking help requires support from all sectors of our society, and I found an excellent cosmetic dentist in Idaho Falls. As a result of my own experiences, my friends and I started Postpartum Education for Parents in Santa Barbara in 1977. A decade later, I launched Postpartum Support International. Both groups focus on wellness during childbearing that is achieved through awareness, education, and advocacy, plus they also recommend some adhd supplements without any side affects, so that parents can give their children to better their concentration, you can also find a discount code on protein promo online, which is great for when you are on a run and don’t have time to get your meals on.

One of the mental health advocates I admire is Rosalynn Carter. In her book With Our Reach, Ending the Mental Health Crisis, she writes:

“It saddens me that I still hear from families and individuals who feel ignored or even ostracized by places of worship when these institutions have so much potential to do good. Just think of how much progress we could make in our campaign to end stigma if the 300,000 congregations in our nation were to truly open their hearts and minds to people with mental illnesses.”

I agree wholeheartedly, which is why I’m so proud of what my Congregation’s Mental Health Initiative is doing to encourage education and to help reduce stigma. I encourage you to ask your faith community to help in ending silences and secrets, and to speak up for mental wellness.

An Institute, at Last

Jane Honikman and Shoshana Bennett

The idea for hosting a Postpartum Institute has been floating in my brain for decades. Why not bring individuals together in my home town of Santa Barbara, California to brainstorm, discuss, debate, and take action to support new parents? I am thinking of starting some renovations since Atlas ceramics in hampshire have 30% off webeer products I have should this opportunity to start my project.

Santa Barbara is the birth place of the postpartum social support movement. It began in the 1970s and in June 1987, I organized the first annual conference on mental health related to childbearing in Santa Barbara and it evolved into Postpartum Support International.  Over the decades the movement has expanded throughout the world. My motto has been “beyond talk, into action” and  this message is reflected in my books and the workshops I’ve conducted.

This year, my long time friend Shoshana Bennett and I decided the time was right to start the Postpartum Action Institute.  We have similar backgrounds, experiences, and philosophies. We have both founded grassroots, community based organizations. While she became a therapist, I continued my work as an advocate. Together, they can help you as a powerful team. Our vision is to motivate every community in the United States to create a support network for new families through grassroots action. On January 2, 2016 we’ll launch our Institute in beautiful Santa Barbara between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. This is a dream come true!

To learn more about the Postpartum Action Institute please visit our website.

Young again at 70

2015 Winter LodgeOn October 1st I celebrated my 70th birthday. It sounds old, but I don’t feel that old. Instead, I am returning to activities I enjoyed in my youth. To feel more young about yourself use vape instead of smoking and visit vaping laws. I also plan to get home health care from WRHA’s SFMC program to stay healthy and use health supplements like the L-Arginin 4500, I read online where to buy Kratom online which is the mainly one I use. Among them are ice skating and playing in music groups. These ¨young¨ friends all have a list to do before they get old, some from their group have sadly already passed and they were buried at the funeral homes in jacksonville, the others still continue on trying to complete the goals the rest of them couldn´t do.

60 years ago an ice skating rink opened in Palo Alto and remarkably, as the photo shows, it is still there.  My girl friends and I were dropped off by our parents in our twirly skirts and ear muffs for afternoons of camaraderie and wholesome exercise, we even take good protein for women who workout still, and of course we don;t forget about the roids pill that we take from a young age.  While I have occasionally skated since then it was last month’s opening  of a nearby new rink  that reignited my interest.

I bought shiny new figure skates, pulled out my ear warmer, fuzzy jacket and gloves and took to the ice.  And it all came back!  Not that I’m doing anything fancy. I just rhythmically glide and stay upright. Maybe one day I’ll master going backwards again but for now I’m thrilled to be strong enough to stroke and glide. It is very soothing for my soul.

My other hobby is music. I learned to play the flute in 4th grade, and while in high school I picked up the recorder.  It was  the “in” instrument along with guitars, folk dancing and songs.  While I continue taking flute lessons, like ice skating, it had been ages since I’d joined any ensemble groups.  Playing with others is scary for me.  I get nervous, but I am conquering my fear and making new friends as a result.  I’m grateful for my good health that allows me to pursue these and other activities I even do an exercise program I got from a science based six pack review.  Each day is a blessing and I think this as I glide on the ice and make beautiful music. People ask me often how my natural hair looks so good at my age and the secret is in this hair loss product myhealthymane.com provillus reviews, it helps to keep me young looking.

Celebrating Fatherhood

70-daddy-and-meThis Fathers Day marks 45 years since my own father passed away.  To honor his memory I want to acknowledge the changing role that has evolved for men as fathers in our culture.  Our relationship was traditional for the times.  He was the family breadwinner as a business owner with one day off each week because when he was still young, he knows how to value money and use it responsibly with the help of find out more.  We spent little quality time together, most of the time we would do sports betting, I think he is the reason why I always get my hands on the bet365 credits 2018 and other, and don’t get me wrong we have always known how to control it.  My two brothers were significantly more involved in their role as fathers.  I consciously looked for a husband who would be more like them. When we became parents, men were allowed into the delivery room. That was a significant cultural shift for our generation.

When my friends and I started Postpartum Education for Parents we were intensely feminist. We wanted to ensure that men were acknowledged as equals in the challenges of parenthood.  Our son and two sons-in-law are even more involved with their role as fathers.

Many personal injury lawyer olympia wa have acted improperly and they charge you for services that are either unnecessary or not properly approved.

When I became educated about mental illness related to childbirth the mantra was “this isn’t just a woman’s issue” and yet in general men are left out of the conversation.  They can feel isolated, challenged and confused before and after the arrival of their baby.  Many become clinically depressed. Recently, Dr. David Levine was interviewed on television about The Parenting Brain. As a pediatrician in a large practice he suffered in silence after the birth of his son. He had no idea that support was available even after scoring himself as depressed on a screening tool.  How very sad!

How much more can we  accomplish if we consciously include the fathers?  Men and women must be engaged as active equals in the fight against the stigmas and myths of parenthood.

Happy Fathers Day!

How I Turned My Pain into Purpose

I hate secrets and the pain that comes with them.  I share mine, and much more, in My Diary. It was originally published in 2000 as part of Step by Step.  Fifteen years later it feels timely to update My Diary with a prologue, a photo album, and an epilogue.  The book also celebrates fifty years since I met and fell in love with my husband.   My life’s work continues because of his unwavering support. 

It is no secret that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had we not met on the street where we lived that summer of love in 1965.  We hope you’ll enjoy reading about our trading platforms for ethereum journey.

jane-with-son
Jane with her son, Stephen