MENTAL HEALTH TAKE A GOOD LOOK IN THE MIRROR
Hey its your Girl JA Nursing, Hope all is well, its raining outside today! guess its better than snow right? so yesterday the air was thick with alot of RIP's for the lovely TITI Branch who committed suicide on December the 5th 2014. The air was dim but people were certainly aware of Mental Health and its Effects. The all out question would be why would such a beautiful successful women take her Life She did it? but today is a new day we can't get back lost time so lets start this day fresh
So heres to a new day Smile for me, I'm smiling are YOU?
This story for me is just another story, sounds cold hah but thats not what I mean. Being in nursing for so long has only opened my eyes to the many issues that face both adults and youths. I always say that there is a fine line between Mental Health awareness and support for Mental Illness. For this reason this whole situation quite often goes under discovered and under treated leaving alot of people with out the right resources.
On December 5 2014 marked the 12 year anniversary of my Big sisters Death.
By now people may or may not know that her death fueled alot of anger for our health care system. Leaving me with a terrible drive to figure out our health care system and strive to find answer and make changes.
The Wall Of Awareness: spoke to our youths they had many questions towards Mental Health and overall Health. This wall of awareness gave youths a great opportunity to challenge their knowledge with MYTH BUSTER, As well the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers in a language that they understood. Thank you Toronto Community Housing. THE Wall of Awareness Was a Success. S/O Esther Payne and the rest of the coordinators of IF I RULED T.O
YOUTH SUMMIT TORONTO COMMUNITY HOUSING If I Ruled Toronto
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Through my community division JA Nursing I have several workshops one of which include Youth mentoring and Mental Health workshops. I also include components that we can work with parents to learn to identify early needs. I especially love working with youths because young girls and boys with unresolved or unidentified emotional issues. Can potentially turn into troubled adults still seeking for the right answers. As a Nurse working in a Hospital I most often get the opportunity to see many cases of adults being admitted with known mental health issues, and yet again I find my self asking the question why has their condition gone on so long without being noticed? Good Question Right?
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| IF I RULED TORONTO NOV 29 2014 HEALTH WALL |
In one of my Introduction to Mental Health workshops For Microskills's "Discover You Mental Health Program" I start my sessions with theses questions
- 1 what does someone with Mental Health Look Like?
- 2 Who do you think gets/has Mental Health Issues? Adults children men women
- 3 Do you think I have #mental health Issues?
I'll leave you with theses 3 questions
You can respond as well or feel Free to Contact me regarding More information on how to Break free.
The issue isn't about having Mental Health issues, the Issue is The Lack of support, knowledge and Awareness for people who Need help mental wellness
So before you Go Ill leave you with alittle catch up on Mental Health
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
- Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
Early Warning Signs
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
- Learn more about specific mental health problems and where to find help.
Mental Health and Mental Wellness are words that I use in interchangeably
Positive mental health allows people to:
- Realize their full potential
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Work productively
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
Ways to maintain positive mental health include:
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing coping skills
Another teaching tool that I use is Myth Busters
When in doubt test what people think they know this way I can teach them the right way.
Here Goes
When in doubt test what people think they know this way I can teach them the right way.
Here Goes
Myth Psychiatric disorders are not true illnesses. People who have a mental illness are just “crazy.” Unlike a broken leg or heart attack (which are easily detected by simple tests), mental illness has traditionally been an invisible disease. This inability to see what’s wrong adds to the perception, and even fear, of mental illness. But mental illnesses are bona fide medical conditions. They involve complex physiological processes, as well as changes or imbalances in brain chemistry.
Myth Children don’t get mental illnesses. Their emotional problems are just part of growing up. Parents naturally want their children to do well, so some may brush off or explain away behavioural problems.
or other childhood difficulties as being mere growing pains. Or stating that you are Rude. However, numerous psychiatric conditions, including depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders, can and do occur in childhood.
Roughly one in every 33 kids and one in every eight teens suffer from depression.
Myth People with a mental illness lack intelligence. Intelligence has nothing to do with mental illnesses. On one hand, many people with mental disorders are brilliant, creative, productive people.
On the other hand, some people with mental disorders are not brilliant or creative. Overall, the level of intelligence among people with mental illness likely parallels the patterns seen in any healthy population.
What you call Mental Illness I call The Strength needed in supporting my Mental Wellness 💯 Stay Connected life is a Journey but if your left alone it can be a Battle Not worth Fighting
knowledge is Power Mental Health is on the Rise in our Community
#RipTitibranch and my other little peoples who have left us before it was time
This has been watching out for your health with Michelle Smith Your Health and Social Advocate.
To have your next Health workshop facilitated by JA NURSING or if you require a group or personalized consultations, I am here to support all your Health and Social needs.
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