Category Archives: Mental Health

Self Efficacy and Self Doubt

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Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish tasks.

The concept of self-efficacy was introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura and plays a crucial role in motivation, resilience, and personal achievement.

Self-efficacy plays a powerful role in personal growth, success, and achievement. It suggests that your beliefs about your own worth, abilities, and potential set the ceiling for what you can accomplish. If you hold yourself in low regard or doubt your capabilities, it limits your motivation and the risks you’re willing to take. Conversely, a positive and confident self-opinion can propel you toward greater success and fulfillment.

You will never rise above the opinion you have of yourself.

• Self-Confidence is Essential: Believing in yourself is the first step to overcoming challenges and pursuing goals.
• Your Mindset Shapes Your Reality: How you view yourself influences your behavior, decisions, and how others perceive you.
• Growth Requires Positive Self-Opinion: To improve and grow, you must value your potential and be willing to invest in yourself.
• Overcoming Limiting and Negative Beliefs: Identifying and challenging negative self-perceptions can unlock new opportunities. Negative thoughts rarely lead to positive outcomes.

Self doubt, negative thoughts, and fear have the greatest impact on the opinion you have of yourself and to your self-efficacy.

Self doubt is a mental conversation in which your mind questions your ability to find a desirable solution to a perceived problem.

To overcome self doubt, you must commit to self-mastery and be the change you wish to see in the world

  1. Stop putting the wrong things and influences .in
  2. Start putting the right things and influences in.
  3. Get the things that shouldn’t be there out

No one can love us more than we love ourselves

Key Aspects of Self-Efficacy:

– Confidence in Abilities: People with high self-efficacy believe they can influence outcomes and overcome challenges.

– Impact on Behavior: It affects how individuals approach goals, tasks, and obstacles—those with strong self-efficacy tend to persist through difficulties.

Sources of Self-Efficacy:

– Mastery Experiences: Success in past tasks builds confidence.
– Vicarious Experiences: Observing others succeed can enhance belief in one’s own abilities.
– Social Persuasion: Encouragement from others strengthens self-efficacy.
– Emotional States: Managing stress and emotions contributes to a positive self-belief.

Everyone faces self doubt, but only those who are courageous enough to admit it will find the support to allow themselves to move forward while still feeling self doubt. To overcome self doubt, you can:

  • Share your self doubt with people you trust
  • It is your relationship with doubt that hold you back.

Benefits of high self efficacy:

– Greater resilience in the face of setbacks.
– Improved performance in academics, work, and personal goals.
– Lower stress levels and reduced vulnerability to depression.

HTTPS://WWW.SIMPLYPSYCHOLOGY.ORG/SELF-EFFICACY.HTML

Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory Of Motivation In Psychology

Source:  https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-efficacy-2795954

BELIEVE, HAVE FAITH, BE ALWAYS GRATEFUL!

Always Be Positive to Yourself

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“You must always talk positive to yourself in your head.”

You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself in your head. So, be kind and encouraging to yourself!

The words you tell yourself shape your thoughts, your mindset, and the life you live. Speak to yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and respect you’d give to someone you love.

Here are a few tips to help you develop a positive inner dialogue:

1. Recognize Negative Thoughts: Be mindful of when negative thoughts creep in. Awareness is the first step to change.
2. Challenge and Reframe: Ask yourself if these thoughts are realistic or helpful. Try to reframe them in a more positive light.
3. Practice Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations daily. For example, “I am capable and resilient.”
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Their positive energy can be contagious.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer a friend.

Remember, life is a journey, and it’s okay to have ups and downs along the way. And, being positive, happy, and grateful are choices.

Brain and Mental Exercises and Health

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Engaging in brain exercises can help keep your mind sharp and improve cognitive functions and mental health.

Here are some effective brain exercises you can try:

  1. Puzzles: Working on jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or Sudoku can enhance your problem-solving skills and memory1.
  2. Card Games: Playing card games like solitaire, bridge, or poker can improve memory and thinking skills1.
  3. Learning New Skills: Picking up a new hobby or skill, such as playing a musical instrument or learning a new language, can boost brain function2.
  4. Reading and Vocabulary Building: Reading books and learning new words can stimulate your brain and improve cognitive abilities1.
  5. Physical Exercise: Activities like dancing, yoga, and tai chi not only benefit your body but also enhance brain health by increasing blood flow and reducing stress3.
  6. Meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation can improve focus, memory, and emotional regulation2.
    Socializing: Engaging in social activities and maintaining strong social connections can help keep your brain active and healthy1.
  7. Playing Games: Board games, video games, and brainteasers can be fun ways to challenge your brain and improve cognitive functions2.

Which of these exercises are you most interested in trying? 1: Healthline 2: Medical News Today 3: AARP

Mental Health – Letting Go

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“What’s past is past and there is little to be gained by dwelling on it. There are perhaps no sadder people then the men and women who have a grievance against the world because of something that happened years ago and have let that memory sour their view of life ever since.” ~ Rabbi Harold S Kushner

7 Lessons from the book “Reasons to Stay Alive” by Matt Haig

1. Mental Health is Real

Acknowledge that mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s essential to understand that mental health struggles are valid and should be treated with the same care and attention as any other health issue.

2. You’re Not Alone

Remember that you are not alone in your struggles. Many people have experienced or are currently going through similar challenges. Reach out to loved ones, support groups, or professionals who can provide empathy, understanding, and guidance.

3. Seek Help

It’s crucial to seek help when you need it. Don’t hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals who can provide the necessary support and treatment. There is no shame in seeking help, and it can make a significant difference in your recovery journey.

4. Focus on the Present

Practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment. Anxiety and depression often make us dwell on the past or worry about the future. By grounding yourself in the present, you can find peace and reduce unnecessary stress.

5. Find Meaning in Small Things

Look for beauty and joy in everyday life. Engage in activities that bring you happiness, whether it’s spending time in nature, pursuing hobbies, or connecting with loved ones. Finding meaning in small things can help shift your perspective and improve your overall well-being.

6. Self-Care is Essential

Prioritize self-care and make it a part of your routine. Take care of your physical and emotional needs by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Remember that self-care is not selfish but necessary for your well-being.

7. Recovery is Possible

Believe in the possibility of recovery. While the journey may be challenging, it’s important to have hope and faith that things can get better. With the right support, treatment, and self-care, it is possible to overcome the struggles and find renewed hope and joy in life.

The Anxious Generation

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“Parents are overprotective in the real world and underprotective in the virtual world.” ~ Jonathan Haidt

In his book The Anxious Generation, author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He argues that smartphones and social media are impairing children’s mental health.

Haidt contends that children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s.

He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Most important, Haidt proposes the following four simple rules that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to end the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more humane childhood:

  • No smartphones until high school
  • No social media before age 16
  • Phone-free schools
  • More independent and free play 

Source: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

 

Mindfulness Exercises

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The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes. ~ Mindful.org

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. It is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes. Mindfulness is available to us in every moment, whether through meditations and body scans, or mindful moment practices like taking time to pause and breathe when the phone rings instead of rushing to answer it.

Simple mindfulness exercises can be practiced anywhere and anytime, according to the Mayo Clinic. Research does indicate that engaging your senses while outdoors is especially beneficial.

You’ll need to set aside time when you can be in a quiet place without distractions or interruptions. You might choose to practice mindfulness early in the morning before you begin your daily routine.

Aim to practice mindfulness every day for about six months. Over time, you might find that mindfulness becomes effortless. Think of it as a commitment to reconnecting with and nurturing yourself.

There are many simple ways to practice mindfulness. Some examples include:

  • Pay attention. It’s hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Try to take the time to experience your environment with all of your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell and taste. For example, when you eat a favorite food, take the time to smell, taste and truly enjoy it.
  • Live in the moment. Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
  • Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend.
  • Focus on your breathing. When you have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help.

References:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
  2. https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

May 2023 — Mental Health Awareness Month

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No matter what my depression tells me, I am worthy of love, I am worthy of acceptance, I am worthy of fulfillment. I Am #MoreThanEnough. 

We are not born feeling inadequate. Life experiences and emotions create that sense within us in a variety of ways. For example, when we were little, and we felt afraid or anxious, our mind told us something was wrong with us, not our environment. A child’s mind, not yet rational, concludes, “There must be something wrong with me if I feel so bad.” That’s why children who were abused or neglected grow up to be adults who carry so much shame. They likely spent years telling themselves: “I must be bad if I’m being treated badly.”

As adults, armed with education on emotions and how childhood adversity affects the brain, we can understand that feeling “not enough” is a byproduct of an environment that was insufficient. We are in fact enough! Yet to feel more solid, we must work to transform that “not enough” feeling.

More Than Enough Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

What Can We Do to Help the Parts of Us That Feel “Not Enough?”

  • We can remind ourselves again and again that our feelings of “not enough” were learned. It’s not an objective fact, even when it feels so instinctually true.
  • We can connect to the part of us that feels bad and offer it compassion, like we would for our child, partner, colleague, friend or pet.
  • We can practice deep belly breathing, five or six times in a row, to calm our nervous system.
  • We can exercise to get adrenaline flowing and create a sense of empowerment.
  • We can remember this very helpful phrase: “Compare and Despair!” When you catch yourself making comparisons to others, STOP! It only hurts, by fueling feelings and thoughts of “not enough.” 

In the long run, we heal the parts of us that feel inadequate by first becoming aware of them. Once aware, we can listen to them and try to fully understand the story of how they came to believe they were “not enough.” Over time, by naming, validating and processing the associated emotions both from the past and present, “not enough” can become enough.

Source: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2018/Why-Do-We-Have-the-Feeling-that-We-Are-Not-Enough

One of the most beneficial things individuals can do to improve their mental health is to stay active and engage in frequent exercise. Exercise can increase the brain’s levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to reduced stress levels, happier moods, increased cognitive function, and higher self-esteem.

Positive Beliefs About Aging are Good for Memory Recovery

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From WebMD.com

Older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are more likely to recover their function if they feel good about aging, compared to those who have negative emotions about it, a new study from the Yale School of Public Health says.

MCI is a common form of memory loss. Positive beliefs about aging give older people a 30% better chance of recovering normal thinking.

“Researchers also found that these positive beliefs also enabled participants to recover their cognition up to two years earlier than those with negative age beliefs,” Neuroscience News reported. “This cognitive recovery advantage was found regardless of baseline MCI severity.”

More than 1,700 people over age 65 participated in the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open.

“In previous experimental studies with older persons, positive age beliefs reduced stress caused by cognitive challenges, increased self-confidence about cognition, and improved cognitive performance,” study authors wrote. “We therefore hypothesized that older persons with positive age beliefs would be more likely to recover from MCI and would do so sooner compared with individuals with negative age beliefs.”

“Older persons in the positive age-belief group who started the study with normal cognition were less likely to develop MCI over the next 12 years than those in the negative age-belief group, regardless of their baseline age and physical health,” Neuroscience News reported.

“Considering that positive age beliefs can be strengthened, our findings suggest that age-belief interventions at individual and societal levels could increase the number of people who experience cognitive recovery,” the study said.

References:

  1. Jay Croft, “Positive Beliefs About Aging are Good for Memory Recovery”, WebMD.com, April 13, 2023. https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20230413/positive-beliefs-about-aging-are-good-for-memory-recovery

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

How To Take Care Of Yourself

If you’re struggling, you can call or chat with the Lifeline, which is available 24/7 and confidential. There are crisis counselors available to listen and support you without judgment. Additionally, if you’re struggling, you can:

Make a safety plan: Have a step-by-step plan ready for if/when you feel depressed, suicidal, or in crisis, so you can start at step one and continue through the steps until you feel safe. Creating a safety plan can include listing your coping strategies, identifying the people in your life that may support you through a crisis, and more.

Limit your news consumption. The constant replay of news stories about traumatic events can increase stress and anxiety. Try to reduce the amount of news you watch, read or listen to, and engage in relaxing activities instead.

References:

  1. https://988lifeline.org
  2. https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/black-mental-health/

National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health (An Unreported Crisis by Major Media Outlets)

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By 2018, suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24.

Health professionals, who are dedicated to the care of 73 million American children and adolescents, have witnessed soaring rates of mental health challenges among children, adolescents, and their families over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) to join together to declare a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Nationally, adolescent depression and anxiety — already at crisis levels before the pandemic — have surged amid the isolation, disruption and hardship of COVID-19. Children and families across our country have experienced enormous adversity and disruption, writes the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The inequities that result from structural racism have contributed to disproportionate impacts on children from communities of color. 

In the declaration, the groups emphasize that young people in communities of color have been impacted by the pandemic more than others and how the ongoing struggle for racial justice is inextricably tied to the worsening mental health crisis.

And, this worsening crisis in child and adolescent mental health is inextricably tied to the stress brought on by COVID-19 and the ongoing struggle for racial justice and represents an acceleration of trends observed prior to 2020.

Rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicide rose steadily between 2010 and 2020 and by 2018 suicide was the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24.

“Young people have endured so much throughout this pandemic and while much of the attention is often placed on its physical health consequences, we cannot overlook the escalating mental health crisis facing our patients,” AAP President Lee Savio Beers, M.D., FAAP, said in a statement. “Today’s declaration is an urgent call to policymakers at all levels of government — we must treat this mental health crisis like the emergency it is.”

The pandemic brought on physical isolation, ongoing uncertainty, fear and grief.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers quantified that toll in several reports. They found between March and October 2020, emergency department visits for mental health emergencies rose by 24% for children ages 5-11 years and 31% for children ages 12-17 years. In addition, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts increased nearly 51% among girls ages 12-17 years in early 2021 compared to the same period in 2019.

In other research, the CDC found nearly 45 percent of high school students were so persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 they were unable to engage in regular activities. Almost 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide, and 9 percent of the teenagers surveyed by the CDC tried to take their lives during the previous 12 months.

In short, the pandemic has intensified this crisis: across the country mental health professionals have witnessed dramatic increases in Emergency Department visits for all mental health emergencies including suspected suicide attempts.

References:

  1. https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/child-and-adolescent-healthy-mental-development/aap-aacap-cha-declaration-of-a-national-emergency-in-child-and-adolescent-mental-health
  2. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/17718
  3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/12/05/crisis-student-mental-health-is-much-vaster-than-we-realize/