Here lies…

So I found this and sent it to her. Because this is what they want to know: how badly is this pain affecting you? Not on a scale of “nothing” to “how I’d imagine it’d feel if bears were eating my still-living guts while I was on fire”. 

10 - I am in bed and I can’t move due to my pain. I need someone to take me to the emergency room because of my pain.

9 - My pain is all that I can think about. I can barely move or talk because of my pain.

8 - My pain is so severe that it is difficult to think of anything else. Talking and listening are difficult.

7 - I am in pain all the time. It keeps me from doing most activities.

6 - I think about my pain all of the time. I give up many activities because of my pain.

5 - I think about my pain most of the time. I cannot do some of the activities I need to do each day because of the pain.

4 - I am constantly aware of my pain but can continue most activities.

3 - My pain bothers me but I can ignore it most of the time.

2 - I have a low level of pain. I am aware of my pain only when I pay attention to it.

1 - My pain is hardly noticeable.

For example, if someone asked me how much pain I’m in at any given time, I’d say hardly any, and yet I’m apparently at a chronic 2.5, and it only goes up from there depending on the day. 

10: can barely move; can’t talk

9: can barely move; can talk

8: can move, but can’t do much more than watch TV

7: can watch TV and play a game on my phone simultaneously

6: can do work on my computer lying in bed

5: can get around the house, but definitely couldn’t go out

4: can run a light errand

3: can get in my 10,000 steps, making my fitbit happy

2: can do three or more activities in a single day

Mental Health Pain Scale transcription:

MILD

1 - Everything is a-okay! There is absolutely nothing wrong. You’re probably cuddling a fluffy kitten right now. Enjoy!

2 - You’re a bit frustrated or disappointed, but you’re easily distracted and cheered up with a little effort.

3 - Things are bothering you, but you’re coping. You might be overtired or hungry. The emotional equivalent of a headache.

MODERATE

4 - Today is a bad day (or a few bad days). You still have the skills to get through it, but be gentle with yourself. Use self-care strategies.

5 - Your mental health is starting to impact on your everyday life. Easy things are becoming difficult. You should talk to your doctor.

6 - You can’t do things the way you usually do them due to your mental health. Impulsive and compulsive thoughts may be hard to cope with.

SEVERE

7 - You’re avoiding things that make you more distressed, but that will make it worse. You should definitely seek help. This is serious.

8 - You can’t hide your struggles any more. You may have issues sleeping, eating, having fun, socialising, and work/study. Your mental health is affecting almost all parts of your life.

9 - You’re at a critical point. You aren’t functioning any more. You need urgent help. You may be a risk to yourself or others if left untreated.

Oka, I plan on following everyone on tumblr

literally everyone

I took a Greyhound in November to my current state. I had a homeless man approach me and ask if I knew where the next bus was headed. He needed to buy a bus ticket, and was completely stranded in that city because the bus stop itself did not sell physical tickets. It required purchasing them online, and he didn't have a phone. He had cash with him to afford it, but literally could not buy a ticket because he didn't have a phone or debit card of any kind.

The bus driver allowed him to just ride for free that day so he could get to his destination (3~ hours from there), which was incredibly kind of them.

More recently, I had to download an app for my friend to use a parking meter because they got rid of letting them take change and debit cards. An app for a parking meter.

I'm currently dealing with homelessness and do you have any idea how lucky I am to have a phone that's paid for? Half the resources I go to require a phone number or email to sign up for assistance (or more ironically an address but that's besides the point).

It's shit like that, that makes me HATE how everything requires a phone, an app, an email ect to use basic shit, especially when it's not needed. It's inaccessible to so many people, and not just those going through homelessness.

Phone broke? That sucks. Is your phone dead? Too bad. Missed payment on your phone plan? Fuck you, better suck it up. Don't have data or signal? Uh oh better find somewhere with it.