Living Inspired Mental Health Training

Good Day All, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer. As we have entered Phase 3, I have been authorized to conduct the Mental Health First Aid Course as long as provincial health guidelines are met. Personally, I believe raising awareness about mental health and crisis first aid skills is crucial at this time given what we've all gone through. Let me bring the awareness and skills to your company/organization so that your staff/members know how to take care of themselves AND eachother. Please visit my site for more information. https://livinginspiredmht.com

I think so many of us need to hear this. https://www.facebook.com/1339965909481783/posts/2142825152529184/?sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=e

This has got to be one of the best episodes yet - incredibly heartwarming and emotional. Please watch if you want to feel uplifted! https://youtu.be/TXdKrtmexWU

It's time for a sleeping fort!!!

Wooohoooooo Prom 2020and some more good news!! https://youtu.be/VQLi2GYVULc

Happy Saturday All. During this pandemic and isolation a movie quote has come to mind every so often. It comes from the movie Constantine: "But it's only in the face of horror that you truly find your noble self, and you can be so noble." First of all, I am not a religious man and this post is not meant to stir up any kind debate or arguments about what people believe - please believe whatever makes sense for each and every one of you.... I just find it true that in the face of war, attacks, disease etc. you see heroes and protectors emerge to help, fight, and strive to right the wrongs and do whatever is necessary for the betterment of all. So although we face trying times, some more trying than others, it's heartwarming to see as a species, those that will not relent, those that are selfless and those that truly care and will not yield until their job is done or the threat has passed. I cannot thank those of you enough from the nurses, doctors, police and custodial staff to the clerk's, grocers, customer service reps and everyone in between. Please take care of yourselves and remember we're in this together and we'll come out stronger than we did going into this.

Some more good news and these are turning into the highlight of our week. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg08rJGKjtA&feature=youtu.be

From what I have seen and heard, it looks like the isolation is starting to take it's toll on many. I'll be sharing a tip every so often to help those that need it. Tip # 1 - Physical Activity. I know many of you have heard this time and again but physical activity is THE BEST NATURAL MOOD ELEVATOR/ENHANCER EVER! Unfortunately when we're feeling down or are dealing with something substantial, it's the first thing we dismiss because much of our effort may be directed elsewher...e, mentally or we simply feel drained. However, this should be the last thing to go. Physical Activity will: * Improve mood * Increase energy levels * Help with weight loss * Improve muscles and bones * Help/Improve skin health * Help/Improve brain health and memory * Assist with relaxation and sleep Please find time to stay active and in turn, enhance your quality of life.

Enjoy, Discover, Persevere and Give yourself some credit!

Enjoy, Discover, Persevere and Give Yourself Some Credit!

Some much needed Good News!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pgG1M_h_U&feature=youtu.be

Some living with depression manage to be functional and even humourous in their daily lives but are slowly being consumed until they cannot bear the weight of the mask. Reach out for help or be the empathetic listener to those that need it - you're not alone.

https://livinginspiredmht.com

Even with the distance we must keep to safeguard ourselves, loved ones and society, we have the means to send such kind words, thoughts, tenderness and the universal positive message of a SMILE.

What a message!! We're all in this together, let's do our part and get through this, unified.

Focus on what's important and what you have control over. Otherwise we'll get overwhelmed and things will spiral out of control. I wish you all the very best, please take care of yourselves.

Wonder why people are in a frenzy and buying/stockpiling on perceived essentials like toilet paper? It's what is known as panic buying and it is spawned from a fear of the unknown. Buying up supplies (even those that don't make complete sense) helps to make people feel in control in the face of uncertainty. https://www.bbc.com//20200304-coronavirus-covid-19-update-

Managing anxiety and stress during this pandemic. Those with a pre-existing mental health disorder should continue their treatment as prescribed and be cognizant of new or worsening symptoms. Please reach out to your support network and check in with eachother. https://www.cdc.gov///prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

We're experiencing a stressful and exceptionally trying time at the moment. I hope this helps - thank you to Brenda Saunders for passing this along. https://afsp.org/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-in-the-/

Depression and Anxiety are the most common mental health disorders in Canada. These disorders are actual medical conditions and are to be taken seriously. In many cases you may not even know because these individuals feel they have to hide due to shame and stigma. See the signs and symptoms you may witness but remember to be empathetic and supportive. Having a mental health disorder shouldn't be looked at negatively or with suspicion, no more than one having a disease like Cancer or Parkinson's.

Good Morning All and Happy Friday! I thought I'd share a friendly funny "Wash Your Hands" reminder. https://youtu.be/vybY1Ty9fus

New Brochure set to be delivered next week to downtown Ottawa.

Companies that support and promote good mental health soar! "We know inherently that investing in workplace mental health is good for our people, but this report tells us it's actually good for business as well." Sarah Chapman, Deloitte... https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5346872

With the right training and knowledge of the signs of distress, crisis first aid and the resources available, I am confident we can bring this number down. But YOU have to take that first step of caring for your team, group, staff or company. This will provide the awareness and tools for them to take care of themselves and eachother. - https://livinginspiredmht.com

Good Morning, I thought I'd share an email I sent to various staff and faculties at uOttawa, to let you know of a resource available to students and staff: My n...ame is Jason Alderson and I'm a mental health first aid instructor, based in Ottawa, trained by the Mental Health Commission of Canada as well as a Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) instructor with the military. I, like many, have been deeply shocked and saddened by the tragedies that have surrounded the University of Ottawa. I would like to help in any way I can. I applaud the efforts to secure as many counsellors as possible but I believe that is also reactionary. In order to be proactive, increased awareness about mental health and how to help, among all students AND staff, will affect real change, in my humble opinion. Those that are suffering will not always seek help but if they know the reality, that mental health problems or disorders are actual medical conditions and there is no shame surrounding them, it will certainly help and they may not feel so alone. Also, students or staff that have been exposed to said training and awareness and are around those suffering, may notice key signs and could very well be the first line of caring and understanding which can make a world of difference. I teach the Mental Health First Aid course developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. This course would be an incredible asset to students and staff and will raise awareness, reduce stigma and bestow the skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully assist in a crisis. Here are the key takeaways: - Increased awareness of signs and symptoms of the most common mental health problems - Decreased stigma related to mental health - Increased confidence interacting with individuals experiencing a mental health problem or crisis - Increased help actually provided to individuals in crisis or experiencing a mental health problem - Successful participants keep the mental health first aid manual which covers everything that was taught and more - Successful participants will receive certification from the Mental Health Commission of Canada via mail I wholeheartedly believe this will make a difference and we can move forward with increased knowledge, mindfulness and empathy. And in taking this step, it sends a message to students, staff, other post-secondary institutions and the general public that we care, that it's time to face this issue and to combat the stigma and shame surrounding mental health. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to start running this course at uOttawa for whomever wishes to take it. Jason Alderson Owner / Lead Instructor Living Inspired Mental Health Training https://livinginspiredmht.com

Just a quick message to remind you to never give up. I know it's hard and unbearable at times but there's always hope, there's always help and there is no replacing YOU! Never Give Up The Fight https://youtu.be/Vz3ZirLTDEQ

The virtue of being there for someone and listening without the need to give advice. Such a wonderful article courtesy of Brenda Saunders who shared it. https://onbeing.org//the-gift-of-presence-the-perils-of-a/

Do what good you can, you won't regret it.

4 Days Left to register for the two day Mental Health First Aid Course. Visit link to register: https://osca.legendonlineservices.ca/enterprise/program/1944

Take care of yourself and eachother.

Be there and resist the urge to try and fix someone. A response will rarely fix anything but your presence will do wonders.

If you have the opportunity to help someone in need, even if it is just to listen - please seize it. The holidays and festivities that follow can help us to feel a tad more generous, more charitable and basically a reminder to get back to being the person we truly set out to be. This amazing time of year is not just for children, it is our chance for revitalization.

It's ok not to be ok.

Eye-opening and difficult to imagine. Definitely a must watch to understand what a mental health disorder looks like

Let's get ahead of this and spread awareness about the truth about mental health in our society.

Always remember that you matter and to take care of yourself. Invest in self-care regularly.