themindtalk1

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Mental Health Therapy for Teens: Why It’s Crucial Today

Today mental health therapy still earns the negative view from the public. There is a lot of stigma around it. Even children who openly talk about depression and anxiety still find that mental health therapy receives a lot of stigma. The general attitude is saying ‘I am ok’ or ‘I am not weak. This is often seen amongst boys as there is increased pressure on them to appear strong. The famous words said to boys when growing up like ‘boys don’t cry’ or ‘don’t be so weak’ stay with them throughout their lives. The teenage years are the most crucial as boys often develop their image and personality. Studies have shown that unhealthy demands of masculinity could be difficult for boys and this could show in harmful ways in their adult life.

Demands of masculinity could be not having the permission to cry, or to appear tough or not to show empathy and emotion. Social media which is considered a tool for connection also has a lot of influence on children. Unrealistic expectations from boys and girls, setting high social standards, deciding norms, and then subtly ridiculing those for not fitting in could impact their self-esteem. Therefore, as adults, it is important to normalise seeking mental health therapy. Additionally, the world over there is a culture of seeking and rushing. This puts more pressure on children to achieve academic excellence and adhere to norms increasing the risk of suicide. It is important that parents sit down with their teens and discuss career options. Remember, no one can teach a fish to fly and a bird to crawl. When a fish swims and a bird crawls they do so with ease. Let us remember to use the same principle with teens.

In that case, it is important to discuss the role of educators and parents. Do we accept our teens the way they are or do we create a facade of acceptance? For example, if we have a child with neurodiversity how do we interact with the child? Are we able to empathize with the child’s challenges and celebrate their uniqueness? Or do we just send them for mental health therapy?

Firstly it is important to remember that mental health therapy cannot be a substitute but is in fact a support and that there has to be a systemic change in the way the society functions. Any therapy is there to assist the teens in their exploration of who they are and how they can freely become the person that they are born as. That means every individual is unique and teenagers can be confusing. Therefore, a therapist can hold the space for the teen to explore and discuss his thinking.

Secondly, it is important that both educators and parents can encourage open dialogue. No teen must feel that they cannot approach an adult they trust to seek support. Since teenage years can be confusing, a safe space at a therapist's office is not enough. A teenager should have the freedom to discuss matters of the mind not just during mental health therapy but also in daily life with the adults around them.

Thirdly, it is important for adults to work on their limiting beliefs and the burden of expectations that is often unloaded on children. Generational trauma is a real thing and as adults, we have the power to choose differently. Just because something was acceptable in a time before today does not mean that it might work today. Seeking mental health therapy for individuals and families could have a positive impact on self and family relationships.

It is important to understand that removing stigma has to happen at a systemic level. That means every individual should pledge to work towards understanding why mental health therapy is crucial for teens today and then work towards it.

[themindtalk1]

Wellness Tips for Mental Clarity: How to Achieve Inner Peace

The new year has begun and we are well in the first half of the first month of this year. Many people have either started off on their New Year resolutions while some might have packed them up by now. What is important is to create wellbeing in our life and therefore this article is for you. Find wellness tips for mental wellbeing and you can start one for each month of the year.

Circadian Rhythm: We have all heard about the circadian rhythm but once the party season begins all of these concepts are forgotten. However, it is important to remember these wellness tips for mental wellbeing and create a consistency within us.

Read a book: Reading a book is a much forgotten art since most of us derive our information from social media channels. Wellness tips for mental health like these might seem surprising to the reader but they it is important to claim our power back. Reading brings a sense of clarity and also makes one knowledgeable. Needless to say that it also empowers us with knowledge. Reading a book also requires one to practise mindfulness. If meditation is not your thing then this is one way to do it. When we read a book we employ all of our senses and create a sense of calmness within us.

Drink Water: Water is associated mostly with physical fitness. However, water is also important for wellbeing. No one hardly talks about the importance of water when they give wellness tips for mental wellbeing. This is often overlooked. Always remember mental health is about the mind, body, and soul connection. Therefore keeping yourself hydrated is of utmost importance.

Walks: Walks have a meditative quality to it. Keep your phone on silent and just go for a walk. While walks in nature are advised it may not be possible for everyone. So go ahead and take that walk no matter the landscape. Walking is great not just for one’s mental health but also for physical health. Additionally, it is considered a great workout for the core.

Journaling. Out of all the wellness tips for mental wellbeing provided this one is well-known. However, how many can claim jotting down things in their journal on a regular basis? Every morning consider starting an intention based journaling practice. What are the three big goals for the day followed by an affirmation and end it with a gratitude practice? Finish the day with dump journaling. Put your pen to paper and everything that comes to mind put it on the paper. This is for your eyes only so pour out your heart.

Breathwork. Working with your breath is a power move. So learn some kind of breathwork practice and use it in your daily life. Those doing breathwork are happy to work with it on a daily basis and talk greatly of this practice.

Set boundaries. That’s right! One of the wellness tips for mental wellbeing that will be of lifelong use is setting boundaries. Learning to say no and knowing that no is a complete sentence and does not require any other explanation.

Offer gratitude: Gratitude creates humility but also a sense of wellbeing. It also creates a sense of abundance within. Gratitude does not need to be for big things in one’s life. Simple things like offering gratitude for having run water or a roof over one’s head are also important. Wellness tips for mental wellbeing need not be some attainable practices that further alienate us from creating wellbeing but simple everyday practices.

Mindfulness practice: It is important to have some mindfulness practice as an anchoring in our lives. Many experts will include this as wellness tips for mental wellbeing but will talk about sitting in one place. It is important to appreciate that everyone is made differently and therefore sitting in one place might not be the right thing to do for some people. Coloring books, walks, and woodwork are different ways of bringing mindfulness in one’s life.

Community: Man is a social animal and therefore being a part of a community where one feels nourished and looked after is very important. Gather yourself with people who truly care for you and love you. One can derive a lot of strength from such relationships.

Nourishment: Say goodbye to junk food. Nourishing our bodies with healthy foods is very important to create wellbeing. Most say that one must follow the 80-20 rule. That means eating nutritious food 80 percent of the time while 20 percent once can indulge in foods that might be considered junk.

Exercise: A fit body creates mental wellbeing too. So, definitely, this is the year to start exercising. Find a workout buddy or sign up with a personal trainer and work on strength. Exercising regularly will create a sense of achievement.

Seeking professional support: Finally, seek support. If you think that you or someone you know are unable to create optimal mental health then reach out and seek mental health support. It is important that we do not shy away from talking about our mental health challenges and normalise this experience.

This year, practice the wellness tips for mental wellbeing that have been provided above. One tip for each month to help you thrive. It is all about taking small steps rather than making big promises. As they say slow and steady wins the race.

[themindtalk1]

Celebrating the achievements of organisations and individuals in Asia who are champions of DE&I and Wellbeing

The Community Business Awards celebrates leaders (organisations and individuals) across Asia who have worked passionately and achieved great strides in diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing. This year marks the second year of the awards with an impressive list of finalists with significant achievements in their categories. The awards will be held on the 5th of September 2024 at the Soho House in Hong Kong. The CEO Janet Ledger mentioned an uphill task for the judges since the bar was set very high the year before. With over 250 nominations across 16 award categories, what followed was a rigorous selection process.

Each category boasts of finalists who have dedicated their lives in their respective categories and the list can be found below in alphabetical order.

CREATING SOCIAL IMPACT

Creating Social Impact in Asia: Community Leader Award

To recognise a community leader in the public and social services sector (including not-for-profits and social enterprise) based in Asia who has demonstrated personal passion and used their influence to advance social change.

Ahmed Imtiaz Jami – OBHIZA TRIK Foundation

Brian Henderson of Whole – Business Wellness Limited

Faride Shroff – SENsational Foundation

Lindsay Davis – Femtech Association Asia

Creating Social Impact in Asia: Specific Initiative Award

To recognise a specific initiative driven by a not-for-profit or social enterprise that has had a positive and measurable social impact on under-represented or disadvantaged groups in the broader community in Asia.

Asia Pacific Youth Development Foundation Limited

Inspiring Girls Hong Kong

Resolve Foundation

Science and Technology for Autism Remediation (STAR) Limited

Creating Social Impact in Asia: Partnership Award

To recognise a specific initiative driven by both a not-for-profit/social enterprise and a corporate in partnership that has, through its overall strategy and wider approach, has a positive and measurable impact on under-represented or disadvantaged groups in the broader community in Asia.

Caritas Hong Kong and Hong Kong Land Limited

Dentsu, Kreaby Studio Indonesia, Spotify and Sun Eater

FWD Group Holdings Limited and JA Asia Pacific

HELP Limited and Linklaters

GENERAL DE&I

DE&I Business Leader in Asia Award

To recognise a leader/senior executive in the business sector based in Asia who has demonstrated personal passion and used their influence to advance DE&I business practices in their organisation and beyond.

Ashwani Bhargava – Boeing

Sarada Vempati – Wells Fargo

Susheela Rivers – DLA Piper

DE&I Innovation in Asia Award

To recognise a specific business initiative that demonstrates a bold, new, different or creative approach to advancing DE&I practices in Asia.

EY

MTR Corporation

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC

Employee Network in Asia Award

To recognise an employee network that has played a strategic and proactive role in advancing DE&I business practices in Asia.

Boeing

EY

Intel

J.P. Morgan

Achieving Gender Equality in Asia Award

To recognise an organisation that has made a positive and measurable impact in achieving gender (including nonbinary, trans and intersex) equality in the workplace in Asia.

Deacons

Luuna

Michael Page International

LGBTQ+ INCLUSION

LGBTQ+ Ally in Asia Award

To recognise a leader/senior executive in the business sector based in Asia who has demonstrated personal passion and used their influence to advance DE&I business practices in their organisation and beyond.

Amy Hanly – Morgan Stanley

Edward Mears – DLA Piper

Holly McGhee – EY

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Champion in Asia Award

To recognise an LGBTQ+ employee who has taken proactive and effective steps to promote an LGBTQ+ inclusive culture in the workplace and beyond in Asia.

Amita Karadkhedkar – Citi

Kevin Li – Citi

Tanvi Nair – Northern Trust India

Zhijun Hu – PFLAG China

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Organisation in Asia Award

To recognise a non-LGBTQ+ focused organisation that has built an LGBTQ+ friendly workplace culture with inclusive policies in Asia.

AMS

Eaton HK

Godrej Properties Limited

Transgender Inclusion in Asia Award

To recognise an organisation that has adopted a strategic and proactive approach to advancing transgender inclusion in the workplace in Asia.

PeriFerry

Publicis Sapient (TLG India Pvt. Ltd.)

Transtalents Consulting Group

Varun Beverages Limited

WELLBEING

Wellbeing in Asia Award

To recognise an organisation that has implemented a strategic and proactive approach to promoting good health and wellbeing, in different aspects of wellbeing, including financial inclusion, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and social wellbeing.

EY

Fair Employment Agency

FWD Group Holdings Limited

Sheraton & Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung

INDIA

DE&I Champion of Change in India Award

To recognise an employee who has been a visible and committed champion of change by promoting DE&I in the workplace and beyond in India.

Dhanashri Jogal – State Street

Dr. Kishora Shetty – Boeing

Shashwati P. – Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages

Vieshaka Dutta – Publicis Sapient (TLG India Pvt. Ltd.)

Advancement of Women in India Award

To recognise a specific initiative that has had a positive and measurable impact on supporting and promoting the advancement of women in the workplace in India.

Aditya Birla Capital

Citi

EY

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

Championing for Neurodiversity and Disability Confidence in India Award

To recognise an organisation that has demonstrated a strategic and proactive approach to champion neurodiversity or build disability confidence in the workplace in India.

EY

Godrej Properties Limited

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

Wells Fargo

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in India Award

To recognise a non-LGBTQ+ organisation that has demonstrated a strategic and proactive approach to creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees in India.

Citi India

Morgan Stanley

Northern Trust India

With over 150+ guests in attendance the Business Community Awards will announce the winners from the various awards categories at Soho House. If you wish to attend the award ceremony, please click here.