50's Plus Check in January 7-10 2019 - January is Mental Wellness Month
Ways You Can Impact Mental Health Awareness in Your Community
- Talk about it. Ask people how theyre doing and mean it! Always be ready to listen and encourage. Ask questions and never judge.
- Share your story. Have you personally struggled or currently struggle with mental illness? Dont hesitate to tell friends and family about it. Your story can encourage others to ask for help.
- Encourage non-judgemental speak. Try to educate those around you on how to talk about mental illness. Never use words like crazy or insane as insults.
- Read about it. Educate yourself. Learn about the signs and symptoms and where to receive help in your area.
- Talk to loved ones about how they are feeling. Regularly check in with those close to you, especially if you know they are dealing with a mental illness.
- Talk about mental health with your children. Dont assume kids are too young to understand. Depression can affect children and grand children in elementary school.
- Volunteer with local mental health awareness organizations. The NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness is a great place to start.
- Encourage you or your friends to get screened. When discussing mental health, be sure to mention HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org--its a great resource for those concerned about how they are feeling. **Note this is a US and Canada resource and other resources can also be found at: https://www.7cups.com/wiki/hotlines-crisis-resources/. If something is missing from that area please send @Gracey or @DanaMH a 1:1 message and we can add the information.
- Write a blog post about mental health awareness. Include up-to-date statistics and facts on mental health and always include information on where people can find help. (Reminder to use all of the 7cups rules)
- Encourage your or your childs school and work to start a prevention program. Screening for Mental Health offers evidence based programs.
- Be a supportive friend. Sometimes spreading mental health awareness can simply mean supporting and listening to those close to us.
- Watch out for bullying at school or in the office. Bullying can lead to many difficulties including depression. Be aware of destructive behavior around you and report it to a trusted person when necessary.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of depression. Know what to watch for in yourself and those around you. Symptoms can be different in men and women.
- Volunteer in your community. Donate your time to help others. Youll boost your mental health as you work to help those in need. You can also volunteer for different roles here on 7cups both members and listeners can help. For opportunities on 7cups please click here.
- Encourage friends and family to eat healthy for mental health. Good nutrition can make a difference in how we feel. Healthy fats, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables are all important.
- Organize group workouts with friends to improve your mental health. Exercise is a great mood booster and is even more effective when you spend time with friends!
- Participate in local advocacy efforts to support and expand mental health legislation. Visit NAMIs website for ideas.
Questions:
- How are you doing?
- What ways can you help impact mental health awareness either in your community or here on 7cups?
Discussions Schedule and Topics
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- How are you doing? Doing pretty well today. This week should be fairly easy, the only thing I am concerned about is a retirement planning seminar tomorrow. Retiring scares me, and I turn 65 this year.
- What ways can you help impact mental health awareness either in your community or here on 7cups? Can't do much in my community, I am hardly ever there. Maybe here on 7Cups I can have a little impact just by writing things.
@Offmytrack
Glad to hear that you are doing pretty well today. Think of all that extra time you will have on your hands. The one important thing a lot of folks dont' realize is how much medical insurance cost. Not sure if others can let us know other areas but tht is the one thing I hear from a lot of friends. That would be awesome if you want to help write things, we are always looking for forum supporters and discussion writers if you are interested in those or you can help out as a Team Member and just help respond to folks also in all of the forums. It helps ease the load on others also when we have more folks helping out.
@DanaMH
- How are you doing?
I am doing good. Keeping a upbeat way for 2019.
- What ways can you help impact mental health awareness either in your community or here on 7cups?
On 7 cups I am here for those needing a listener who does not judge them but there for them in that time of need.
@pamharley003
That is really great to hear that you are keeping an upbeat way for the 2019 year. We are so glad that you are around to help folks here on 7cups since when folks do need to talk to someone and I agree they don't need to be judged.
- How are you doing? - I'm doing well today. But I still have lots of ups and downs it seems like.
- What ways can you help impact mental health awareness either in your community or here on 7cups? I don't know if I'm ready to talk to my friends about my struggles. I've always been "the strong one", "the one with a sense of humor", the one that "will try to help you solve your problems." I can do istry to be more aware of how others are feeling and take time to ask how they are doing, and be sure to spend the time listening if they want to talk.
@MissPen
Glad to hear that you are doing well even thou you do have lots of ups and downs. It is ok if you aren't ready to talk to your friends and you will know the correct time to open up for that. Sounds like you have a plan to help others thou which that is really great to hear that.
@DanaMH
I had an interesting discussion with my husband last night...We were talking about a person he works with and one that i work with who both are very open about having mental health issues. As the discussion unfolded I mention that i had read that 1 in 4 people have some sort of mental health issue. I asked him to imagine a team meeting where he works and said, "Think of it, if there are 20 people in the room, there is a good chance that 5 of them are struggling with something right now, today. I don't think he had ever thought of it in those terms. We had a good talk at that point about things that i struggle with, as well as some of our friends.
Starting small....
@MissPen
That is great that you had that talk and he understands things some more. I agree small steps helps a lot.
I think after being in the 50 +community chat room tonight I know how I am felt about. TC
@Lauren63 @Soulsings @caringPanda45
Hi Lauren, not sure what you mean by that since 2 mods said Hi to you when you entered the room and we didn't see anything from you when folks were talking and asking questions.
@DanaMH So when t reponded Hi everyone! You didnt see it, or when I responded to the question about the day, you didnt see it. So its on me Sorry.
@Lauren63
Sorry if I didn't see it. I do apologize since we try to respond to folks in there.
@Lauren63 sorry you felt that someone said anything negative to you. My apologies for missing it as all I saw were people saying hi to you
@caringPanda45 As I have said to Dana you didnt see when I responded Hi everyone. Then responded to the question about the day? Its my fault sorry.
I am volunteering for my local Samaritans group which is a 24/7 telephone help line. I'll see if I get selected to be a listener there or they use my IT skills instead. Looking forward to meeting them on Jan 31 2019.
@24963534
That sounds like a good volunteer opportunity also.
Get support! Bullshir.
@Lauren63 @24963534
talk to me lauren,, leave me a message and i'll contact you
Edited by DanaMH - removed Listener account info
@DanaMH. So I can
@Lauren63
Lauren it is a 7cups policy not to tell our other account names. Listeners have Member and Listener accounts and this is one of the 7cups policies.
@DanaMH
It is my opinion only, that if I am hurting I am probably not going to find help in a busy chat room. I visited last night and there were 16 in the depression room. That's pretty crowded. I cannot keep up as I only have a mobile phone. If one came to a real life party of 16, and was upset, somebody or everybody would notice due to visual cues. Like when ya have Rudolph Red Nose from crying. I am shy and would not go to a real life party with so many ppl. I would see the cars outside and keep on driving! It seems obvious to me that I have depression if I pop into a depression chatroom. And maybe I would want to chat about it. But that was not what was going on at the time. No harm in that. It would be depressing to stay on topic!
@Chickadee123
I agree on phones it is really hard to keep up with a fast chat and that many folks talking. Even on a computer sometimes it is hard to follow things. It is nice also when we have lots of listeners and Room Supporters helping out to help everyone in the room.
@Lauren63
Lauren if your still looking for someone to talk to I am here for you
joined another mental health group ---- interesting bunch of self helpers
@24963534
That is great that you are reaching out and joined that group.
