Mental Health Matters by Sophie Wambui

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
This Father's Day, we want to celebrate the dads who show up for their families, even when they're not feeling their best. We see you, and we appreciate you.
Let's break the stigma around mental health and create a world where dads feel empowered to seek help.

Some common mental health issues that men face:
1. Depression: Often under-diagnosed in men, depression can manifest as irritability, anger, or aggression rather than sadness.
2. Anxiety Disorders: Men may experience anxiety through constant worry, fear, or physical symptoms like a racing heart and sweating.
3. Substance Abuse: Men are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.
4. Stress: High levels of stress from work, family responsibilities, and societal expectations can lead to significant mental health problems.
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Often seen in men who have experienced traumatic events, such as military combat, accidents, or abuse.
6. Su***de: Men are at a higher risk of su***de, often due to societal pressures to hide their struggles and not seek help.
7. Anger Management Issues: Difficulty in managing anger and frustration can be a sign of underlying mental health issues.
8. Body Image Issues: Concerns about physical appearance, fitness, and body weight can affect men's self-esteem and mental health.
9. Bipolar Disorder: Men can experience extreme mood swings, including manic highs and depressive lows.
10. Schizophrenia: A severe mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often emerging in early adulthood.
11. Sleep Disorders: Conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea can be both a symptom and a cause of mental health problems.
12. Work-Related Stress: Job insecurity, long hours, and high expectations can lead to burnout and other mental health issues.
13. Social Isolation: Men may struggle with loneliness and a lack of social support, which can contribute to mental health problems.
14. Parenting Stress: The pressures of being a father and providing for a family can be overwhelming and impact mental health.
15. Relationship Issues: Difficulties in romantic relationships or friendships can lead to emotional distress and mental health problems.

June is recognized as Men's Mental Health Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues that men face and promoting mental well-being among men.
How do men prefer to be supported in their mental health journey?

Hi,have you ever found yourself listening to your inner critic? Imagine how much more you could achieve if you chose kindness over self-criticism.

Sometimes, we let negative thoughts take center stage, allowing them to control our lives. Today, try to shift the spotlight to something positive in your life. Focus on the good, even if it's small, and let it brighten your day.

How can one deal with stress?

Feeling like you're not enough because of others' actions is tough, but remember your worth isn't determined by them. Stay strong and believe in yourself!

Hi,keep showing up for yourself,you will be glad that you didn't give up🫂

If teachers mental health is supported,our children are also supported☺️

If you're surrounded by people who make you feel like nothing, it's time to reconsider who you're spending your time with.

Good morning,let's talk about Mental Filtering

Mental filtering is when you focus on a single negative aspect of a situation, ignoring all the positives.This can increase stress,anxiety and depression.Here are some tips to address mental filtering:
1.Recognize the pattern: Be aware when you're focusing on negatives.
2.Challenge negative thoughts: Ask yourself if your thoughts are balanced and based on facts.
3.Practice gratitude: Regularly list things you're thankful for to shift your focus to the positive.
4.Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a mental health professional.

Shift your focus to see the bigger, more balanced picture. Your mental health will thank you!

Discover how mental health manifests in everyday life. Join our webinar on spotting signs and coping strategies to maintain well-being. Register now!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RZmSK7CdQJekDgOEdOmO5A


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Su***de is a silent cry for help. Let's listen with compassion, support each other, and remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Teachers too need psychosocial support to improve their well being.

Let's talk about Bipolar 1 Disorder,the
manic episode:
1. Feeling extremely happy, excited, or irritable for at least a week.
2.Thinking you’re better than others or have unique talents that no one else has.
3.Decreased need for sleep, a person feels rested after only three hours of sleep
4.More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking.
5.Thoughts jumping quickly from one idea to another.
6.Getting distracted by unimportant things.
7. Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or purposeless non-goal-directed activity.
8. Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences such as engaging in unlimited buying sprees, sexual carelessness, or irrational business investments.

Hi,what's holding you back from forming meaningful connections with others?

We all have social needs that are essential for our mental well-being. When these needs go unaddressed, we can find ourselves battling feelings of loneliness and anxiety. It's crucial to make a conscious effort to connect with the right people. While social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter offer a resemblance of connection,they can't replace genuine human connection.
Let's challenge ourselves to reach out to the right people, even if it's just a simple phone call or hanging out. You'll be amazed at how such small gestures can greatly impact how you feel. Reach out today and make a difference in someone's life, or let someone make a difference in yours. You're not alone—we're all in this together. 💙

Hi,if we don’t do the work to develop self-acceptance, we set ourselves up to live a life in which we may need constant reassurance, get trapped in jobs we hate or relationships that cause us harm, or find ourselves living with resentment.

It's sad how our society often measures people's worth based on academic grades. Some people get stuck fixating on their past performance, letting it define their entire identity and purpose in life. I truly wish they could break free from these self-imposed limitations and realize there's so much more to life than academic success. Let's support each other in breaking free from these narrow views and embracing our full potential.

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers out there! 🌸 Today, we celebrate your unconditional love, endless sacrifices, and unwavering strength. Whether you're a biological mother, a stepmother, a foster mother, or a mother figure, your presence and nurturing spirit make the world a brighter place. Remember to also practice self-care today—your well-being is just as important as the love you give to others. Sending lots of love and gratitude your way! 💖

The power of any thought is in how much we believe it to be true reflection of reality.

When a business isn't successful, it's important to acknowledge that you gave it your best effort and move forward, rather than dwelling on it out of fear of being seen as a failure. It's common for people not to realize when you're struggling with sleep, diet, or feelings of isolation. Remember to prioritize your health above all else. It's helpful to separate yourself from the business - its failure doesn't define you. Instead, see it as a learning experience that can make you wiser. You are not a failure.

Yes I can start again without being hard on myself 😊

What is self-kindness?

We often think of kindness as something we direct toward others, but it’s just as important to direct it toward ourselves. Self-kindness involves understanding and forgiving our own flaws and mistakes, much like we’d treat a friend or family member we love.

10 ways to nurture self-kindness
1. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a close friend experiencing difficulty.
2. Avoid Self-comparison: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and growth. Recognize that everyone's path is unique, and it's okay to move at your own pace.
3. Set realistic expectations: Be gentle with yourself and recognize that perfection is unachievable. Set achievable goals and celebrate your progress along the way.
4. Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul, whether it's exercise, spending time in nature, or engaging in things you enjoy.
5. Establish boundaries: Learn to say no to obligations that drain your energy and prioritize activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
6. Challenge negative self-talk: Pay attention to your inner dialogue. If you find your mind filled with negative self-talk, pause and reframe it to something more positive and compassionate. Instead of “I can’t do this,” try “I’m learning and getting better.”
7. Practice mindfulness: Allow yourself to be present in the moment by acknowledging your thoughts and emotions.
8. Practice gratitude toward yourself-Take a moment each day to think of something you’re grateful for about yourself. This could be a talent, a personal quality, or even an accomplishment.
9. Forgive yourself: Let go of past mistakes and acknowledge that imperfection is part of the human nature. Treat yourself with the same forgiveness you would offer to others.
10. Seek support:It’s okay to ask for help

Hi,have you been kind to yourself today?🤔

Embrace Your Strength: A Journey to Self-Love and Healing

It's heartbreaking to witness the struggle of women who've been left by their partners for someone else, only to have those same partners later seek reconciliation. The pain these women endure can be overwhelming, often leading to chronic stress,anxiety and depression. It's a difficult situation, one where the hope of reconciliation can prevent them from moving forward and fully embracing life.

To all the women out there, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being above all else. You deserve to love yourself and live a fulfilling life, one that isn't defined by the actions of another person. Your worth is not tied to someone who walked away. Take the time to focus on yourself, to heal, and to rediscover the incredible person you are. By prioritizing self-care and personal growth, you can break free from the cycle of pain and emerge stronger, ready to embrace the truest version of yourself. You are worthy of love, respect, and happiness, and it starts with loving yourself first.

In tough times like experiencing floods, financial problems, and strikes in our country it's normal to feel worried and anxious. But remember, take things one day at a time. Find happiness in small things.Talk to someone you trust and be gentle with yourself. Don't forget who you are. There is hope even when our brains tell us otherwise 💙

Appreciate the simple things in life.

Your mental health matters more than any external validation

"If parents don’t label their own behavior as abusive, their child won’t label it that way either. Even as adults, many people have no idea that what happened to them in childhood was abusive. As a result, they may not recognize abusive behavior in their adult relationships."
Lindsay C. Gibson.
One of my favourite books😊