As the world faces its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions on mental health became more prevalent nowadays.
Having mental health challenges is an invisible pandemic by itself. It needs the same concern and attention as the coronavirus. Sadly, we know more about preventing COVID-19 and identifying its symptoms than recognizing signs of mental health issues/disorders ( depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, etc.).
On the recent Thriving Thursday, World Pulse Ambassadors learn about Mental Health Awareness and Care.
Manasa Raj hosted the one-hour session. She facilitated an ice-breaker by asking, "What are your plans in the remaining six months of 2020?" It was inspiring to hear about one another's goals!
After the brief sharing, our speaker Marie Angele Abanga began her talk.
Marie is the Founder and CEO of Hope for the Abused and Battered. She is a lawyer, consultant, author, entrepreneur, and psychotherapist. Mental Health Awareness is one of her advocacies.
She covered the following:
- an overview of what mental health is;
- what are the myths concerning mental health;
- what are the importance of mental health awareness;
- what are the symptoms of mental health challenges;
- how can we prevent mental health issues;
- what are the types of mental health disorders; and
- what are the effects of mental health disorders.
Marie's talk was succint and comprehensive.
The remaining twenty minutes was open for questions, feedback, and reflection.
The take aways from this session are:
- Mental Health Matters!
- Self-Care, Self-Love, Self-Compassion are important for our mental health.
- Raise awareness on Mental Health to break stigmas.
- Be kind. Don't judge. People with mental health challenges don't talk about their invisible battles.
- Psychosocial Interventions and Community Resiliency are helpful for those who cannot afford therapies.
- Depression and anxiety are common to parents raising children with special needs.
- Research shows allowing people with depression speak their truth or share their stories helps them recover (Narrative Approach).
- By narrating their experiences on World Pulse, women with mental health issues begin to heal. World Pulse is a healing platform for women.
- Speaking your truth is therapeutic; having people believe in you is the purest medicine.
- Never underestimate the power of women coming together. For years, women hold healing circles knowing they have a community.
Attending Thriving Thursdays is a form of self-care for World Pulse Ambassadors. The connection, presence, and solidarity among sisters are strengthened week after week. Thus, this support group is good for our mental health.
A shout out of appreciation to Manasa as the host, Marie as the speaker, Dawn and Tam as transcribers, and to all who attended this session!
We're definitely looking forward to learning a new topic next Thursday!