Posted on 5/11/2022 1:00 AM By ConnexOntario
Self-care is pretty easy to figure out; it’s taking care of yourself. What’s difficult is justifying the time or expense. But we all need to take time for our own mental and physical well-being. That’s what self-care is about; cultivating a healthy relationship with yourself and maintaining the best version of yourself. Most importantly, self-care is not selfish.
WHAT IS SELF-CARE?
To be fair, self-care is personal and different for everyone. The important thing is that the action be good for your mind, body, or soul. This can include reading a book, taking a nap, cleaning out your basement, watching a funny video, getting a manicure, etc.
WHY IS SELF-CARE IMPORTANT
The best analogy is the speech you hear from a flight attendant before take-off. We have to put our own oxygen mask on before helping anyone else. By focusing on your own health and happiness, you’re not just taking care of your needs, but you’re helping others, by ensuring they get the best version of you ...
Posted on 2/2/2022 1:00 AM By ConnexOntario
We all want to achieve better mental health. It’s such a daunting goal though, especially if we don’t know what we’re looking for or how we’re going to get it. Setting goals for your mental health is just like setting goals for your physical health (such as losing weight) or setting goals for work (such as learning a new skill). Your goals need to be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
This article focuses on good goals for your mental health and how to achieve them.
SETTING SMART GOALS
To successfully reach most goals in life, it’s important to know what you want, how you plan to achieve it, and how to track your progress. That’s why we set SMART goals. As an example, let’s use a common goal many of us have shared at one point or another; to lose weight. A SMART weight loss goal looks like this: “I want to lose 20 pounds by cutting out snacking and exercise by November 1, so I feel more comfortable on our beach vaca ...
Posted on 5/6/2021 1:24 PM By ConnexOntario
Life is full of ebbs and flows, the good and the bad, the ups and downs. While it would be nice to live in a constant state of “up” or “good”, it’s unlikely. And to be completely honest, without the bad, you can’t appreciate the good. This article is about creating a balance between both states. By boosting your mental health you’re stronger and better able to handle or navigate through the bad.
UNDERSTANDING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
The way you think, act, feel, or behave in your daily life is dictated by your mental health. Good or strong mental health doesn’t mean you’re lacking problems or challenges. It means you’re in a better position to tackle the problems because of the positive characteristics good mental health is associated with. These characteristics often include:
The ability to laugh and have fun.
A sense of meaning or purpose.
Being able to deal with a stressful situation and bounce back.
The desire to learn new skills.
...
Posted on 5/5/2021 12:19 PM By ConnexOntario
Heart-wrenching is a good adjective to describe how difficult it is to watch a loved one struggle with symptoms of mental illness. It’s impossible to know the best way to support the individual, as every person and situation are different. Whether your loved one has a specific diagnosis, or is simply going through a difficult time, it’s hard to understand the best way to show support. With this guide, we hope to offer tips for helping a loved one with their mental health.
WARNING SIGNS
Chances are, if you’re concerned about someone’s mental health, it’s because they’re behaving in a way that’s different or worrisome. The following are common signs you may recognize as someone needing help:
Sleep, appetite, or mood changes.
Withdrawal, such as a lack of interest in social or previously enjoyed activities.
Slowly ceasing to function; no longer fulfilling duties at work or school or at home. This may come across as apathy, or a loss of initi ...
Posted on 2/26/2021 12:26 PM By ConnexOntario
In reflecting on resiliency in the field of mental health and addiction as a front-line social worker. I have two perspectives: the resiliency of the front-line worker, and the resiliency of those who we are called to serve. As a seasoned social worker with over fifteen years of experience in the field, ranging from a focus on at-risk youth, HIV AIDS, mental health and addiction, housing and social services, I feel as though I have the experience to speak to the resiliency of both social workers and clients alike.
Resiliency is defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness” (Oxford Languages). As front-line workers, we are privileged to hear the stories of those we serve. The stories shared with us are seen as “gifts” because not everybody is able to receive them. Often times a call for help is overwhelming for individuals; it can be scary, embarrassing, and at times, very emotional. For those reaching out for help, we are often their first p ...