Tag: Mental Health
County resources directory is valuable
Every two years Mental Health America in Sheboygan County updates the Directory of Community Resources.
Mindfulness can help you experience everyday life
Mindfulness is a hot topic in the wellness world these days. What is all the fuss about?
Be mindful of how words affect others
I experienced the power of my own language within the concept of ‘stigma.’ I compared stigma with the English language children’s rhyme to teach the child victim of name-calling to ignore the taunt, to refrain from physical fights and to remain calm and good-natured. “Sticks and stones will break my bones. But words will never harm me.”
Speak out about what life with mental illness feels like
When mental illnesses or disorders are talked about, the language typically used to describe them tends to be clinical and impersonal.
Help is available if you need it
Do you find yourself struggling? Do you feel like you’re alone in a black hole? Are you drowning in financial challenges? I was, too, and I am relieved to say there is hope, and there is a way out. As a teenager, I lacked self-esteem and confidence — I never felt like I fit in. I played in the band, but was too nervous to perform. I enjoyed reading and had a photographic memory, but still couldn’t concentrate on tests. In college, I had difficulty sleeping. I forced myself into social situations, but never felt comfortable. A neck injury from a car accident led to years of chronic pain and even less enjoyment in life. Shortly after graduating and getting married, I contracted Lyme disease. The infection in my brain further intensified my headaches and impaired my thought processes. My words would jumble, and I would see things that weren’t really there. Ultimately, it would keep me from balancing my own checkbook and limit me from driving.
Local stigma reduction efforts underway
A local community and cross-agency effort that developed the Community Health Improvement Plan 2015-2017 identified that the stigma of mental illness is an issue requiring attention in Sheboygan County. A stigma-specific subcommittee was developed to help reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse in our community. So what is stigma and how are we going to address it? Stigma can be understood as a set of negative or often untrue ideas that lead to beliefs that form an attitude. That attitude can include acts of discrimination. When one Googles the definition, synonyms that pop up include shame, disgrace and dishonor.
Fight the Winter Blues
Many people feel a slump in their mood after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The expectations of holiday events, the joy of spending time with loved ones and the frantic chaos can lead to a feeling of let down with the new year. It is important to check your emotional well-being and take preventative action during this time of year to stay healthy and make the most of 2016. There are a lot things you can do to help your emotional wellbeing during the winter doldrums. As the excitement and anticipation of the holidays comes to a close, it is normal to feel a sense of gloom. To work against this, try making plans for something soon. Plan time off, go to a concert, take a class or redecorate a room. Many people find joy in learning new hobbies such as crocheting, playing an instrument or cooking. Find something that you can look forward to and start planning for it. When we focus on the negative, or on things we can’t change, we tend to have a poor outlook which alters our mood. Try to stay grounded in the positive by practicing the art of gratitude. Melanie Greenberg, of Psychology Today, suggests gratitude goes hand in hand with mindfulness in its focus on the now and appreciating what we have, rather than wanting more and more.
There is Hope Walk celebrates 10th year
Ten years ago a group of local Sheboygan Falls and surrounding area families came together to begin what many of you know now as Mental Health America in Sheboygan County’s largest education and fundraiser event — the There is Hope Walk for Suicide Awareness and Prevention.