Saving HSP Lives and Improving Mental Health with Julie Bjelland

The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast with Julie Bjelland

In a recent survey of 326 HSPs collected over five days between December 17-22, 2022

• over 90% of HSPs have had thoughts of suicide.
• over 18% have attempted suicide
• almost 33% use alcohol or drugs to numb emotional pain.

We can learn a lot from this survey on how to support and save HSP lives.

Things that were named that make it hard to cope

• Overwhelming and intense emotions
• Sensory overload
• Absorbing the suffering of others and the world
• Feeling different and misunderstood
• Not understanding how to support their sensitivity

3 AREAS THAT HELP + RECOMMENDED RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THOSE NEEDS

In the survey, HSPs also identified three main areas that helped them cope, which we can use to help others. Within each of the three areas, I have resources.

1. Learning About the Trait of High Sensitivity
2. Self-Care the HSP Way
3. Supportive People

1. Learning about their trait of high sensitivity

• made them feel less alone in how they experienced the world
• opened up a window to understanding themselves.
• helped explain why they experienced the world the way they did
• helped them understand why they always felt different from those around them.
• It also helped them understand, accept, and honor that their self-care needs look different than most.

These factors improved wellness, self-esteem, self-compassion, and coping ability.

2. Self-Care the HSP Way

HSPs reported that when they started being consistent about specific types of self-care that reduced sensory overload and supported the sensitive nervous system, their mental and physical health improved, offering greater resiliency and coping skills.

3. Supportive People

Those that reported having supportive people around them named it as one of the key factors in improving wellness and mental health.

Immediate Resources

If you know someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide, let them know they are not alone and that there is immediate help available 24 hours a day. They can call, text, or chat at 988, and you will be connected to trained counselors in the United States at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, always available 24 hours a day, free and confidential. Internationally, you can find suicide hotlines in your country at the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

Resources to Support Highly Sensitive People's Mental Health

Learn more about high sensitivity and self-care tools that work, and join our Sensitive Empowerment Community for daily support! Everything can be found at HSPresources.com