Category Archives: Mental Health
Whatever Gets you talking!
Today (September 10, 2020) is Suicide Prevention Day! Of course, in practice, everyday should be suicide prevention day. One great way to prevent suicide is to talk! Talking is about connecting and feeling connected is what’s called a “protective factor.”
An understated challenge we are facing is being able to feel connected while maintaining social distancing. The JED Foundation has some great resources on the topic, including “gifs” you can include in text messages and this little video. (I confess this isn’t my favorite music style but it’s worth the two minutes it will take to watch it.)
Here’s an example of one of the many gifs/stickers available. Today would be a great day to reach out and let some folks know “I’m here for you!”
Sticks and stones
Steve and Savannah are back! After posting and discussing their video performance of “Hope,” we discovered that we share a mutual interest in resilience as a way to reduce bullying. Their song “Sticks and Stones” makes the point that words can hurt more than sticks and stones. Getting people to understand that is a form of resilience!
Course Updates
In a world that seems crazy, I have a few more certainties to share with you!
For real estate sales agents, I’ve added an associate broker course to the schedule! It’ll be in Augusta, in November. You can or visit The Real Estate Learning Group Website.
For Suicide Awareness and Prevention, I continue to search for physical sites and programs interested in offering this two-hour program for free. The need is not diminishing. A study by the Mental Health Index published this month shows the risk for depression among U.S. workers has risen an alarming 102% since February of this year. I am also working on live-streaming this course as an alternative. Stay tuned! (If your organization would like to host a live workshop, please let me know!
For Substitute Teacher Training, several adult education programs are interested in hosting a course but the specifics are coming together slowly. There is, however, one exception! I am very pleased to announce that Spruce Mountain Adult Education-RSU 73, is making this a priority and has scheduled an in-person workshop on September 16, 2020, preceded by a no-cost online forum, facilitated by “Mr. Boomsma.”
Social distancing requirements mean reduced capacity in classrooms and all live courses and workshops are filling up quickly. Act quickly!
To teach how to live without certainty and yet without being paralyzed by hesitation is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy, in our age, can do for those who study it.
Betrand Russell