Today is Bell Let's Talk Day! Bell Let's Talk is a social media initiative to raise money and awareness to Mental Health Initiatives. For every re-tweet or tweet using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian Mental Health Initiatives.
The goal of today's blog is to bring awareness to many people in the helping professions who often try to pour from an empty cup. In our professions such as teachers, counsellors etc. we tend to want to open our arms to support all that come our way. We try to support the child going through trauma, grief, addiction, and many other traumatic life situations. Often we can't be fully present with others if we are not taking care of ourselves. It is important in the helping professions to practice what you preach. Self Care is important, your mental health is IMPORTANT!
Often we mistake self-care as a form of "doing" another thing we need to add to our really full/busy plate. Self-Care can take the form of being kind to yourself, expressing gratitude, saying no to events, being gentle, being patient, confiding in a friend and best of all being present.
Truly we can't pour from an empty cup and our wellness matters! We need to end the stigma that we need to do it all alone or that feeling that "other people probably need more support then I do". Mental Health effects us all and can present itself in many forms that seem invisible on the outside. It is an invisible illness. It is not something you can run from, because it will begin to chase you down.
How can you help others? Be kind, Educate yourself, Express gratitude, Listen without Judgement, Offer support (only what you are able too, don't offer false promises), Let them know you are there for them and check-in from time to time.
How can you support yourself?
Practice Self-Care
Build a positive support network such as confiding in a friend or family member.
Attend therapy such as counselling where you might feel you are able to express yourself to someone who is non-judgmental or bias. Most health care providers or work-environments offer a Counselling plan you can inquire about. (see below if you are a teacher).
Visit your family doctor or call 811 Health Link BC for resources in your area.
**If you are a teacher I have attached a number you can call if you do not feel comfortable asking as most of my audiences for my blogs are lovely teachers trying to do there best!! We all need support from time to time.
Homewood Health: Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 1-800-663-1142 Open 24 HOURS a day, 7 days a week. They offer counselling services over the phone, online, video, or at a location conveniently located near you.
The goal of today's blog is to bring awareness to many people in the helping professions who often try to pour from an empty cup. In our professions such as teachers, counsellors etc. we tend to want to open our arms to support all that come our way. We try to support the child going through trauma, grief, addiction, and many other traumatic life situations. Often we can't be fully present with others if we are not taking care of ourselves. It is important in the helping professions to practice what you preach. Self Care is important, your mental health is IMPORTANT!
Often we mistake self-care as a form of "doing" another thing we need to add to our really full/busy plate. Self-Care can take the form of being kind to yourself, expressing gratitude, saying no to events, being gentle, being patient, confiding in a friend and best of all being present.
Truly we can't pour from an empty cup and our wellness matters! We need to end the stigma that we need to do it all alone or that feeling that "other people probably need more support then I do". Mental Health effects us all and can present itself in many forms that seem invisible on the outside. It is an invisible illness. It is not something you can run from, because it will begin to chase you down.
How can you help others? Be kind, Educate yourself, Express gratitude, Listen without Judgement, Offer support (only what you are able too, don't offer false promises), Let them know you are there for them and check-in from time to time.
How can you support yourself?
Practice Self-Care
Build a positive support network such as confiding in a friend or family member.
Attend therapy such as counselling where you might feel you are able to express yourself to someone who is non-judgmental or bias. Most health care providers or work-environments offer a Counselling plan you can inquire about. (see below if you are a teacher).
Visit your family doctor or call 811 Health Link BC for resources in your area.
**If you are a teacher I have attached a number you can call if you do not feel comfortable asking as most of my audiences for my blogs are lovely teachers trying to do there best!! We all need support from time to time.
Homewood Health: Your Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 1-800-663-1142 Open 24 HOURS a day, 7 days a week. They offer counselling services over the phone, online, video, or at a location conveniently located near you.