sanative magazine

Just a reminder that submissions for Sanative are now open.

Email them to [email protected]

ISSUE TWO IS FINALLY HERE!!!

First before anything else, I apologise for the extreme lateness of this issue. I have had two hospital admissions (one for 4 months and one for 1 and a half) and my brain has been receiving a lot of ECT. My focus has been elsewhere and it is completely understandable if you are angry at me, and I truly am sorry for how late it is.

BUT

Trust me when I say the people who submitted for this issue are talented as hell and their artwork, writing and stories are just amazing.

The profits (sadly only a dollar per purchase, but still, every dollar counts!) from this issue all go to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, an amazing organisation that helps so many people through terrible times.

THIS IS PART ONE OF A MONTH LONG SERIES AT SANATIVE. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In honor of April being the awareness month for sexual assault, the American Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is MATCHING donations. This means your contributions will be double throughout this month!

If you can't spare money, please share this information and get yourself educated on rape and other crimes of sexual violence. The RAINN website has many helpful links on statistics and basic info, but more importantly on how to help a loved one who has been effected by sexual assault (or, how to help yourself). They also have a phone and web based helpline.

Click here to donate to RAINN & have your donation doubled!

More resources can be found at: CASA (Australian) Rape Crisis (England and Wales) Rape Crisis (South Africa) Survivors UK (Support for male survivors) Rights of Women (a women's voluntary sector organisation which provides free legal advice and information to women affected by sexual violence) After Silence (information and a wonderful forum filled with survivors, giving you the space to share your story or simply talk to other people who have also been through trauma)

If none of these above links give you the information or support you are after I suggest googling something along the lines of "Rape Crisis - insert place of residence here -" or "Information about...", there are an abundance of resources out there, and I will continue to cover more of these throughout the month.

Sanative Magazine is not only about raising awareness of mental health issues, but giving a voice to those who have been touched by a mental illness. People are so often silenced in ways they would never be with a physical illness and Sanative hopes to change that, if only in a small way. 

Writing (poetry, diary entries, stories, articles), art and photographs (creative, personal) are published in out print magazine and I promise that this is a project dear to my heart and I will be kind and supportive of anyone who submits their work.

You can send things to [email protected]. :)

Help your kangaroo riding, koala hugging, shrip on the bloody barbie mates out, spread this list of useful MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINES (and a handful for those who have suffered abuse) provided. Some of these services may charge your phone with a bill, so it could be wise to check on the website first if this is something that will cause an issue for you.

URGENT/IMMEDIATE/EMERGENCY: 000 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Kids Help Line (up to age 25): 1800 55 1800 Triage Numbers (for emergency and concerns) (you will speak to a trained health professional, on most clients treatment plans throughout the public system, this will be one of the emergency options within the safety plan. They can help you decide if a trip to the hospital is required and provide an ambulance to you if needed. Please note that services such as Lifeline and Kids Helpline will also provide a referral to emergency medical teams if they have reason to believe you or someone else is in danger).

Victorian State Triage: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/adult/index.htm (click your area to find your corresponding phone number, if unsure of area and in emergency ring anyway and ask to be directed to the correct service) South Australian State Triage: 13 14 65 New South Wales Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 Western Australia Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 08 9224 8888 1300 555 788 (Perth metropolitan) 1800 676 822 (Peel region) Northern Territory Crisis Assessment Telephone Triage and Liaison Service: 1800 682 288

A-Z OF ONLINE (EMAIL AND WEB COUNSELLING) SERVICES These services also provide telephone counselling and a more detailed description of their services is listed later down.

1800-RESPECT: https://www.1800respect.org.au

Butterfly Foundation: http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Eating Disorders Victoria: http://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/services/the-eating-disorders-helpline

Gambling Help: http://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Headspace: https://www.eheadspace.org.au/

Kids Helpline Web Counselling: http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/web-counselling/

Kids Helpline Email Counselling: http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/email-counselling/

Lifeline Crisis support chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat

Mensline: http://www.mensline.org.au/register.html

Suicide Call Back Service: http://suicidecallbackservice.org.au/register

Wire: www.wire.org.au

A-Z OF TELEPHONE HELP SERVICES.

- 1800-RESPECT: The national domestic violence and sexual assault helpline, available nationwide, with translators present on request. 1800 737 732, 24/7.

A: ARAFEMI Carer Helpline (support and referral for family, carers, and friends of people with a mental illness. health professionals and other interested groups may also use this service to find out about supporting families and carers in the community.): 1300 550 265, line available 9-5, Monday to Friday. B: beyondblue (for information on depression, anxiety & related mental illness'): 1300 22 4636, line available 24/7 Bush Support Services (Telephone support and debriefing service for multi-disciplinary remote and rural health practitioners and their families.): 1800 805 391, line available 24/7. Butterfly Foundation Support Line: Butterfly’s National Support Line and Web Counselling Service provides free, confidential support for anyone with a question about eating disorders or negative body image, including sufferers, carers, family and friends, teachers, employers and more. 1800 33 4673, Friday 8am to 9pm  D: DirectLine (Immediate counselling (including crisis intervention), support in dealing with the impact of drug use on the family, and information and referral to treatment and support services across Victoria.): 1800 888236, line available 24/7 

E:

Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline (Nation Wide): The Eating Disorders Helpline provides information, guidance and support to anyone whose life is affected by an eating disorder, body image issues or disordered eating. The Eating Disorders Helpline is the first point of contact with support, guidance, information and referrals for thousands of people with an eating disorder and their families, partners and friends. 1300 550 236 : Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 5.00pm

F: Family Drug Help (Information about drugs and their effects, support and referrals.): 1300 660 068, line available 9am until 9pm, Monday to Friday. G: Gamblers Helpline: (Free & confidential counselling for people experiencing an issue with their gambling, including family and friends Telephone and online support.): 1800 858 858, line available 24/7 Griefline (Free, confidential telephone counselling services to anyone in the community who may need support in order to express their feelings and experiences.): 9935 7400, line available from 12 noon until 3am, 7 days a week. H: Headspace (Online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12 to 25.): 1800 650 890, line available 10pm-1am. K: Kids Helpline (Free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25.): 1800 55 1800, line available 24/7 L: Lifeline (crisis support, suicide intervention & prevention, mental health support. Telephone and online support available.): 13 11 14, line available 24/7. M: Mensline (Telephone and online support, including video counselling information and referral service, advice for men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.): 1300 78 99 78, line available 24/7 O: OCD and Anxiety helpline (Assistance to callers to understand and manage symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression, and referral to community and health services.): 1300 269 438 or 9830 0533, line available 10am – 4 pm weekdays. P: PANDA (Counselling for people affected by post or ante natal depression): 1300 726 306, line available 10am to 5pm on weekdays.

Parentline: Telephone counselling, information and referral for parents and carers with children from birth to eighteen years. Different areas have specific numbers and websites. Queensland and Northern Territory: 1300 30 1300 from 8am-10pm, 7 days a week. Victoria: 13 22 89, Open 8am to midnight 7 days a week South Australia: 1300 364 100, 24 hours a day, seven days a week New South Wales: 1300 1300 52, 24 hours a day, seven days a week Western Australia:  6279 1200 or 1800 654 432, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Tasmania: 1300 808 178, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Australian Capital Territory: 6287 3833, 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday

S: Sane (Information about treatments, symptoms, medications, where to go for support and help for carers.): 1800 187 263, line available 9-5 Monday to Friday. Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (State-wide after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for victim/survivors of past and recent sexual assault.): 1800 806 292, line available 5 pm – 9 am, 7 days a week. Suicide Call Back (Crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide.): , line available 24/7 Suicide Line (Specialist telephone counselling and information to anyone affected by suicide in Victoria): 1300 651 251, line available 24/7. W: Wire: WIRE Women’s Information provides Victorian women with free and confidential support, information and referrals on any issues statewide. 1300 134 130, 24 hours, 7 days.

Sanative Magazine's 50 alternatives to self harm ordered by mood. 

It is important in many peoples recovery journey to have a management plan when working through self harm. People can experience a wide variety of moods when the urge to self harm arises, although this list only deals with a few moods I hope that it is comprehensive and you will be able to understand that if you are feeling jealous you may like to try out the sad suggestions (if you are feeling particularly down), or the angry ones (if you are feeling particularly riled up and filled with frustrated energy).

It is good to have a few ideas that you would be willing to try in mind before the urge becomes too much to bare. Different emotional states often respond best to emotion specific responses, which is why lists like these can help. Keep any ideas that you are drawn to written down and try them next time you are feeling as if you want to self harm. These distraction and self soothing lists will be in constant revision as you find out what works for you (some things won't work, and often nothing will work 100% of the time, but it is important to keep working at it.)

As with any mental health concern I recommend getting the assistance of a professional to work alongside you in this journey.

Here are a list of some distractions & self soothing ideas based on mood. Some of these activities could overlap into another mood, so don't feel like they're set in stone - use whatever you think would be helpful! SAD 1. Cry it out. 2. Watch a ridiculous comedy.  3. Take a warm shower 4. Listen to inspiring, upbeat music. 5. Spend time with a pet. 6. Organise your room 7. Phone a friend or even visit them 8. Read a trashy magazine 9. Make a list of quotes and lyrics that inspire you 10. Make a list of places you'd like to visit, or things you'd like to do within your lifetime. 11. Write how you're feeling in a journal 12. Go for a long and peaceful walk 13. Bake or cook a favourite dish 14. Go to the movie theatre and watch the next movie that comes on (of course attempting to ensure that it will be trigger free) 15. Watch silly daytime television. 16. Play a video game or a board game. 17. Write letters to your best friends and send them if you wish to. 18. Start drawing, or a create a collage of how you're feeling - don't worry about how it looks, no one has to see it. 19. Cuddle a soft toy

ANXIOUS 20. Place a blanket in the dryer and wrap it around yourself 21. Make a cup of tea/coffee and attempt to focus mindfully on your actions whilst preparing and drinking the tea. 22. Look up and learn breathing techniques and mindfulness strategies, if you see a health professional try talking to them about these strategies and work out a plan of how to practice these techniques so that you'll eventually be able to successfully use them when your urges seem unmanageable. 23. Run yourself a warm bath and fill it with aromatherapy oils. 24. Count by 9's 25. Paint your nails 26. Colour in a mandala 27. If you are religious, pray or meditate. 28. Take photographs of something that catches your eye. Upload it somewhere like Instagram. 29. Collect a list of silly websites! For example 30. Look up funny cats and dogs on Youtube. Trust me. It's endless and brilliant. 31. Fill in a CBT ABC worksheet or something similar. You can ask your therapist for something of the sort. Here is a good resource, it contains thought records as well. You can even draw up your own as these are arguably not the most aesthetically pleasing worksheets. http://www.psychologytools.org/download-therapy-worksheets.html 32. Watch a candle burn. 33. Fingerpaint ANGRY 34. Dance to ridiculous music 35. Scream out to music that expresses how you feel 36. Scream into a pillow 37. Punch a pile of pillows  38. Invest in a punching bag. Punch the absolute shit out of it. 39. Write a letter to someone you're mad - swear at them, scream at them, get it ALL out, and and tear it up 40. Eat a lemon, sour loly, a chili - anything that will focus on your senses without hurting you. 41. Hold ice cubes in your hand, rub them under your knees, on the heels of your feet. 42. Watch a film that makes you laugh. 43. Take your dog for a walk 44. Wash the dishes 45. Go for a run/sprint 46. Write your thoughts on your body in red pen. 47. Hit soft toys/pillow against the wall repetitively. 48. Have a cold shower. With your clothes on if need be. If you get out of the shower and your urges/anger comes back, get in the shower again. ALL: 49. CALL A HELP LINE OR THERAPIST IF YOU ARE IN DANGER OR ARE FEELING UNSAFE LASTLY: 50. Remember that not every distraction will work and it is still important to consider why you are self harming to begin with. According to DBT therapy distractions are not a CURE for self harm, rather they are a technique to be used whilst the urges are too severe to work on. Aftere the urge has subsided it is important to SPEAK TO SOMEONE about how you are feeling. It is 34239534973657864% recommended that you find a health professional you trust to talk through these things with.

SUBMISSIONS FOR ISSUE 2  =^.^=

For the first issue I aimed to release it mid-January and it wound up being published early March (which really made me feel quite more appreciative of those people on shows trying to build houses and absolutely get flogged by their deadline... no more judgement from me!)

So for the next issue I am aiming at mid to late May which right now seems like "loads of time", but... well... we'll see!

Anyway, more to the point, to anyone who is interested submissions are open and more than welcome (no, seriously, I do a lil internal jump every time I get a new email filled with writing, photographs, artwork).

A couple of people have gotten confused (because I'm horrid at explaining things, no doubt!!!) and thought that any content with a base of mental illness is accepted, no matter who creates it. This is not the case and only things made by those with a history and experience of mental illness or their friends and family will be featured in the magazine. I know that might seem unfair, but the point of Sanative is to give people who are often silences (because let's be real, a lot of the time you aren't really encouraged to talk openly or creatively about your illness outside of the therapy office!)

So if you have something you want to submit (and I know a lot of you think it may not be "good enough" to submit, but I promise it's absolutely fine!) please email it to [email protected]