Mental Health Awareness

The Basics of Belonging: Changing How We Learn

jenhammill — Thu, 18 May 2023 17:47:01 +0000

The Basics of Belonging: Changing How We Learn jenhammill Thu, 05/18/2023 - 13:47

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an opportunity to boost our sense of belonging. Imagine being one of those kids who was always punished for talking in class. Chatting through nap time and having your seat moved away from “friendly” co-conspirators. After-school activities were welcomed to finally share thoughts that were bursting at the seams. Being alienated from peers causes such loss of a sense of belonging. When your authentic self was inquisitive searching for like-minded banter…..finding similarities to belong was paramount.

This was my purpose. As a multicultural person, I struggled with belonging from a racial perspective, because when you are “mixed”, you aren’t enough of any one race to belong. We aren’t taught this as children. Our education system was designed in the 18^th century based on a Prussian model to create structured obedient and punctual behavior for factory workers in the industrial revolution. I was not obedient or punctual by those standards when I was discovering my thoughts and theories.

As adults, our learning and training methods should be designed to create safe authentic spaces for collective belonging. Isolation as punishment is equal to parents not speaking to children as a lesson to be learned. Unfortunately, this negative reinforcement is the catalyst for many ACE’s (adverse childhood experiences). These “trauma” related experiences foster into adulthood leaving us vulnerable to misinformed practices and behaviors that trigger emotional wounds.

Andragogy or Adult Learning should unite our interests and share in the knowledge of identifying why we should learn new concepts. Most adults learn experientially. The inquisitive nature that many children possess comes from learning to problem-solve. This stimulates our cognitive awareness creating a logic base for understanding. A core learning discipline in cultural competency education.

We represent a broader range of cultures, ethnicities, economic statuses and cultural representation now more than ever. As a society, we have been divided into narratives and categories that divide us creating barriers and inequities in our personal and professional environments. These categories focus on fear of our differences instead of embracing our similarities. Cultural intelligence defines the ability in which we relate to others and interact effectively across cultures. Cultural intelligence encourages taking the interests, feelings, and cultures of other people into consideration.

Cultural competency ensures that we acknowledge different cultures and respond appropriately especially when working styles and lifestyles differ from our personal experiences. Providing an opportunity to learn about other cultures is key in building cultural intelligence. Our Intercultural Competency Committee is an inclusive platform to share and learn the plethora of characteristics that we all possess. We accept others’ opinions and provide a safe space for conflict resolution by showcasing awareness each month of cultural history and celebration.

We value our unique perspectives and continue to build relationships that were impacted by social separation during the pandemic. The resources provided at Center For Family Services are foundational to our mission in the community and to all of our stakeholders. Embracing our diverse demographics by taking accountability to open to learning is a huge step in the cultural continuum. Getting engaged in experiences different cultures by attending rituals, celebrations, food or music are great ways to change how we learn and discover life from a new lens.

The value in creating a lifelong learning environment offers a pathway to understanding and ultimately belonging. A sense of belonging is a protective factor for managing stress and coping during physical and mental health issues. Depression, anxiety and suicide are common mental health conditions associated with a lack of belonging.

Center for Family Services is on the forefront of creating an inclusive environment with our “Everyone Belongs” campaign. Join us for our journey of lifelong learning and creating cultural competency for belonging with our shared commitment and mutual respect for our staff and stakeholders.

Blog tags

Mental Health Awareness

Dr. June DePonte Sernak

Statewide Diversity Leadership Officer

Checking In On Your Mental Health: Tips and Resources

Tara Aquila — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:53:18 +0000

Checking In On Your Mental Health: Tips and Resources Tara Aquila Thu, 06/09/2022 - 09:53

There is so much going on in the world. Our newsfeeds are overloaded with updates of a lingering pandemic, shortages, the latest political drama, and horrific events taking place around the corner and across the globe. At times, it seems as if we are just getting used to the chaos.

But, that doesn’t mean we aren’t impacted in some way. Maybe you have noticed that you aren’t sleeping well, maybe you find that you are easily irritated, or you feel more down than usual. Maybe you are avoiding your friends and family. Or, maybe, like so many, you just feel overwhelmed.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a reminder to all of us to prioritize our mental health. While we cannot easily change the world around us, we can change how we respond to stress. Here are a few self-care suggestions according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

Practice relaxation – Try deep breathing or meditation
Keep moving – Take time to walk or hike, bike ride, go to the gym, take a yoga class
Make healthy food choices - Eat more vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods.
Get enough sleep – The Center for Disease Control recommends 7 or more hours per night
Connect with others – Spend time with friends and family. Join peer support groups, or talk to your spiritual advisor

For some, the problems may extend a little deeper. Sometimes you need more. If you, or someone you know, has a history of mental illness, you are not alone. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that 1 in 5 Americans experience some form of mental illness. Seeking help will connect you with a mental health professional who will assist you by exploring issues such as anger, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, self-image, trauma, or grief and loss. Your therapist will provide a safe, private space to help where you will:

Learn new skills to manage your symptoms
Develop a better understanding of your mental health issues
Identify triggers which might be making your symptoms worse

Everyone wants to be considered the type of person that their closest friends and family can lean on if they need to. It can be a comforting feeling to know that those around you trust you, and being a reliable confidant to someone struggling with mental health can make a huge impact. What would you say if I told you your words can make a difference in someone’s life? You might think…. “hmmmm…...maybe.” What if I told you your kindness and compassion could save a life? If that sounds a bit much, keep in mind we do not always see the impact we have on the people whose paths we cross.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, please reach out to others who may not be able to ask for the help they need; the neighbor who lost her husband to COVID-19, the friend who was recently divorced, the co-worker you saw crying in the restroom. Or it may be the people we are closest to who are struggling; a sister, brother or aunt. If the past couple years have taught us anything, it is the value of human connection. A kind word, or an offer to listen, may be enough. Checking in on friends, family and others who do not seem to be able to cope may prevent a crisis. It may just save a life.

Know the warning signs that someone may be at risk for suicide:

Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or isolating themselves
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Extreme mood swings

In New Jersey, there are designated screening services throughout the state for psychiatric emergencies and crisis intervention services. See the link below to learn where your local screening center is located.

At the Center For Family Services, our Zero Suicide Initiative is focused on ensuring that suicide prevention and care is recognized as a priority across all aspects of our work. We are here to help. By offering a full range of counseling and behavioral health services across the state of New Jersey including access to private and confidential counseling services we provide a space for people to heal and work towards a healthy future.

During these challenging times, remember to take care of yourself. When the people in your circle, and even those whose lives you touch only briefly, seem as if they are having difficulty coping, remember that help is available. You can make a difference in someone’s life.

If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges in your everyday life, including grief, loss, or depression, please reach out to learn more about our specialized services for adults, children, teens, and families.

Call 877.922.2377 or email access@centerffs.org to schedule an appointment.

---------------------------------

To locate your local Screening Center:

https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Screening_Centers.pdf

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK

Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Daily Calm – 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl_B45DpMLU

NJ Mental Health Association Locator:

https://www.mhanj.org/mhanj-affiliates/

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

www.nami.org