Have you seen it?  Pixar's newest release, Inside Out?  
It's good, really good.  Like, awesome.  Pixar is great at humanizing things that aren't human, like toys, fish and rats.   In this movie what is humanized?  Well, emotions!  And true to our expectations, Pixar does it with creative aplomb!

I'm recommending the movie for my clients, family, and friends.   

It's not just a movie for kids!  It's a movie for everyone.  We don't get Emotions 101 in our school core curriculum.   So, sometimes we miss out, or are delayed, in understanding some pretty important things about how our emotions work, how to take care of our emotions, how to make good choices when we feel a certain way, and how to connect to others emotionally in healthy ways.  All pretty important stuff.

Not understanding our  basic emotions and how to handle them in healthy ways can lead to lots of issues for individuals, for families, and for couples too. Even impact stuff at school and work and in our communities.  

It's the sort of stuff that can blow up on us at times.   The sort of blow up that can make you call a therapist for an emergency appointment! 

Dealing with emotions is the stuff of life.  For everyone.  We all have a full range of emotions.  Like the main character, Riley, in the movie, we all have joy, sadness, anger, fear and disgust.  We all are impacted by our emotions.   We all respond in various ways to our emotions.  Most people "like" some of their emotions more than others.  Riley sure does.  Honoring our range of emotions makes us stronger as people.  The movie is especially good at helping us understand the role and importance of sadness.  

Sometimes people respond to  their emotions in ways that aren't so healthy.  Sometimes people aren't even aware of the connection between their thoughts and actions-- and the emotions going on inside them.  I like to call it "Our Trio"--thinking, feeling, doing.  Each of us tends to lead with one part of the trio.  But we all do better if we connect each part with the other parts so our thoughts, feelings, and actions all connect and work together.  Therapists like myself often work with people to better understand their emotional self and how it impacts things around them--and how to get the unhealthy emotional reaction stuff headed the other way, to healthier responses.  

Inside Out is a fun, engaging and creative movie.  AND,  it deals with something really important--emotions.  The movie handles this big topic with genius.   And the movie is based on good science.  All round, it's a win win.

It's pretty cool for me, as a therapist, to see some of this "help" stuff being looked at and promoted in a popular movie, especially one geared for all ages! I think this movie will influence kids (and grownups) to understand emotions better.  And, that will lead to better relationships and healthier families.  Movies become part of our lives and shape our culture, for better or for worse.  This one is definitely for better!

Inside Out is a treasure.  Go see it, or see it again!  

Image by Rebekah Schott    rebekahschott.com

I'm feeling pretty sad and surprised over the sudden death of Robin Williams.  Maybe you are too.   At this point, a day after his death, signs continue to indicate that he died by suicide.  And that he was deeply depressed.  And that he suffered with bi-polar mental illness and addictions.  
All really difficult stuff.  Lots of people are  struggling with putting this all together.  How could someone who makes us laugh so hard be so depressed as to take his own life? 

 Katie Hurley wrote an article called "There's Nothing Selfish about Suicide" yesterday  for the Huffington Post that I thought was pretty good.  She lost her father to suicide.  Here's part of what she wrote: 
 
I am a survivor of suicide...
Suicide is a decision made out of desperation, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness. The black hole that is clinical depression is all-consuming. Feeling like a burden to loved ones, feeling like there is no way out, feeling trapped and feeling isolated are all common among people who suffer from depression.

People who say that suicide is selfish always reference the survivors. It's selfish to leave children, spouses and other family members behind, so they say. They're not thinking about the survivors, or so they would have us believe. What they don't know is that those very loved ones are the reason many people hang on for just one more day. They do think about the survivors, probably up until the very last moment in many cases. But the soul-crushing depression that envelops them leaves them feeling like there is no alternative. Like the only way to get out is to opt out. And that is a devastating thought to endure.

Until you've stared down that level of depression, until you've lost your soul to a sea of emptiness and darkness... you don't get to make those judgments. You might not understand it, and you are certainly entitled to your own feelings, but making those judgments and spreading that kind of negativity won't help the next person. In fact, it will only hurt others.

As the world mourns the loss of Robin Williams, people everywhere are left feeling helpless and confused. How could someone who appeared so happy in actuality be so very depressed? The truth is that many, many people face the very same struggle each and every day. Some will commit suicide. Some will attempt. And some will hang on for dear life. Most won't be able to ask for the help that they need to overcome their mental illness.

You can help.

Know the warning signs for suicide. 50-75% of people who attempt suicide will tell someone about their intention. Listen when people talk. Make eye contact. Convey empathy. And for the love of people everywhere, put down that ridiculous not-so-SmartPhone and be human.

Check in on friends struggling with depression. Even if they don't answer the phone or come to the door, make an effort to let them know that you are there. Friendship isn't about saving lost souls; friendship is about listening and being present.

Reach out to survivors of suicide. Practice using the words "suicide" and "depression" so that they roll off the tongue as easily as "unicorns" and "bubble gum." Listen as they tell their stories. Hold their hands. Be kind with their hearts. And hug them every single time.

Encourage help. Learn about the resources in your area so that you can help friends and loved ones in need. Don't be afraid to check in over and over again. Don't be afraid to convey your concern. One human connection can make a big difference in the life of someone struggling with mental illness and/or survivor's guilt.

30,000 people commit suicide in the United States each year. 750,000 people attempt suicide. It's time to raise awareness, increase empathy and kindness, and bring those numbers down.

It's time to talk about suicide and depression.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.