Devotee Care for Mental Health & Wellness

01/10/2023

We had a booth like a listening tent/drop in/connection point at a recent Sravanam Kirtanam Festival event.
We offer advice, guidance, referrals, and psychotherapy with fully qualified individuals via professional channels.
Fully confidential.
Send a message here via private message if you would like to connect/need advice, etc.

14/09/2023

We are here, please reach out if you need by sending a message here on Messenger.

R U OK? is calling on all of us to let the people you care about know you're here, to really hear them.

By taking the time for an R U OK? conversation and genuinely listening with an open mind, we can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected.



Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life.

R U OK?Day 2023 is Thursday 14 September and is our national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.

28/05/2023

Dear all,
Last Sunday, 21/5/23, the Mental Health & Emotional Well-being Team did a presentation to the community.
We were very fortunate that the Qld Lifeline General Manager & a Trauma Art Therapist made a special guest appearance.

We wanted to especially thank all the community members who participated actively in the session, which in effect made it a therapeutic process.
We hope that individuals across the world are able to hopefully use this as a resource/tool or draw inspiration from it.

In particular, we wish to thank Radha Ickrath, who has very kindly shared her healing journey with us all. Radha has the unique position of being one of the very first gurukulis who remains a practicing devotee. She is a living example of the success all the psychological therapies we have explained in this presentation as well her resilience as a person. Thank you again for gracefully sharing dear Radha for the benefit of all. 🙏

Trauma & Approaches to Healing at ISKCON New Govardhana.krishnafarm.net

30/04/2023

The New Govardhana Mental Health & Emotional Well-being Team consists of many people, professionals & friends of the professionals.

Mandakini dasi is an experienced devotee, with many life experiences ,who has done quite a few counselling courses. She has been providing a listening ear, good advice & support to many people over the years.

Here is how she keeps up her mental, emotional & physical well-being. Inspiring!

30/04/2023

We have an upcoming presentation which is open to all. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

12/04/2023

"It is quite evident that you are feeling anxiety in your mind. The best way to overcome this, the way to control the mind is to become Krsna conscious. This is stated in the Bhagavad gita in the sixth chapter, that one has to control the mind otherwise the mind will become his worst enemy.

The process for Krsna consciousness is that we control the mind through hearing and chanting. We hear the maha mantra, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and we hear the lectures from the spiritual master and read his books.

Also we speak by preaching and by chanting. This is the easy method for controlling the mind, by hearing and chanting.

So my advice to you is to somehow or other fix your mind on Krsna then you will experience peace of mind and your mind will be your best friend."

(Srila Prabhupada Letter, September 4, 1975)

10/04/2023

One way of calming the mind. Independent studies have also shown that reading gives inner peace.

“You are restless because you don't read. I am laboring so hard for you, but you don't take advantage. Don't take advantage of eating and sleeping. Take advantage of these books. Then your life will be successful. My duty—I have given you so valuable things, day and night trying to convince you, each word to word. And if you don't take advantage of this, then what can I do for you?”

Srimad-Bhägavatam 2.9.14
April 13, 1972, Melbourne

14/03/2023

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/self-care-the-most-overlooked-secret-to-success-in-our-spiritual-life-tickets-543305821337?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Please attend if possible!

Self Care Workshop with HG Mahatma Prabhu (this has now been upgraded to a 2 day event).

30/07/2022

I introduce our Team & discuss how our structure was set up & how it's running. As well as touch on few fundamental concepts of pastoral care, emotional & mental well-being. Thank you Bhakti_kids_sangha for hosting so expertly the discussion on such an important topic.

22/06/2022

Hare Krsna,
Here's the video of the inaugural presentation from us to the community done on 28th May.

krishnafarm.net

04/05/2022

It can be very difficult to understand why someone has reached the point where they are considering ending their life.

People who contemplate su***de are experiencing intense emotional pain and may view su***de as a way to end this pain. The pain they are feeling may be due to any number of experiences or circumstances. Negative life events can sometimes act as triggers for suicidal thoughts or behaviour.

While people at risk of su***de may try to hide how they are feeling, they often give out warning signs.

You might notice changes in their behaviour or be aware of events in their life that could be affecting them.

Signs to look for include:

previous su***de attempt/s
talking about su***de
talking about being a burden to others
talking about feeling trapped or having unbearable pain
agitation, anxiety and/or irritability
trouble sleeping
changes in appearance
taking time off work
a recent stressful event or loss
social withdrawal/feeling alienated
seeming preoccupied with an internal thought or problem
self-harm or self-injury.

01/03/2022

There has been a major natural disaster-flooding-in NSW & QLD recently with massive impact emotionally, mentally and physically.
In these times-
1. Just do what you can do, don't stress.
A little at a time.
2. Accept with strength that you can change some things but some things you can't change
3. Understand that this too shall pass. That everything is temporary and a bad patch will certainly pass. It will not last forever.
4. Try to see the silver lining-it could have been worse & there are others worse off than you.
5. Help others according to your capacity, but remember to look after yourself first. After all, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Helping others also brings satisfaction, a feeling of accomplishment & gives you a fresh perspective on your own problems.
6. Finally, seek help for anxiety or any post traumatic stress that you might be experiencing.

27/02/2022

"Even when I knew people were cheating me, what was important was how I behaved, because I have to answer to God. I can't be responsible for other people's actions: They will have to answer to God themselves"- Author: Muhammad Ali

🌷 According to the Bhagavad-gita, you are not responsible for anothers' actions.
🌷You are only responsible for your actions, and your response to other people's actions.
🌷 How you behave says everything about you.
🌷How should one act in these turbulent times? Chanting & kirtan for peace & protection to all is a simple and sublime way to bring peace internally as well as externally.

20/02/2022

🙌As hard as it is, the more we are able to process and learn from our pain, the less likely it is to repeat itself🙌

09/02/2022

Pandemic fatigue is affecting almost everyone.
In these times it is important to :
💛Be kind to yourself and kind to others 💛
🥰Stay in touch with family and friends 🥰

Helpful tips-
🌻Exercise! It's great for mental health 🌻
🌻identify & practice self-care strategies that work for you, eg, beach walks, exercise, japa, journalling...🌻
🌻take a break & do the things you've been putting off for a rainy day🌻

Coronavrius Mental Health Well-being Support number to call if you need-1800512348

01/01/2022

It is NOT selfish to prioritise your mental health.

24/12/2021

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-21/chanting-practice-reduce-symptoms-stress-anxiety-depression/12046736?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Chanting has been practised for thousands of years by almost every culture in the world but its physiological and psychological benefits are only now being understood in the West.

06/12/2021

Is any one feeling anxious, worried, disturbed? If so, please heed this very important advice from Srila Prabhupada. I can vouch that it works. If we daily deeply associate with Gita and Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada guarantees we will feel peaceful and happy.

If there is someone you know whom you care about, and they are suffering, please help them to discuss Gita and Bhagavatam. It is the best medicine for all of life's worries.

"So questioning about Kṛṣṇa and answering the question is kṛṣṇa-kathā. So here it is recommended that if we are constantly engaged in kṛṣṇa-kathā about Kṛṣṇa, talking about Kṛṣṇa, questioning about Kṛṣṇa, then ātmā suprasīdati. We are hankering after peacefulness of our heart, peacefulness of our atmosphere. So here it is recommended that simply by inquiring about Kṛṣṇa and taking answer of the question, both the questioner and the answer-giver, both will be pleased. Yenātmā suprasīdati.
Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered, yāre dekha, tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. The world is like the blazing fire in the forest. So this kṛṣṇa-kathā, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, will give them relief. Yenātmā suprasīdati. .........
Anywhere this vibration will go on, there will be all auspicity. Loka-maṅgalam. Kṛṣṇa-sampraśno yenātmā suprasīdati. Another feature is Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive; therefore, talks about Him is also attractive. In our Kṛṣṇa book there are so many topics about Kṛṣṇa, janma karma me divyam [Bg. 4.9], about His birth, about His transference from real father's house to another foster father, then the attack by the demons upon Kṛṣṇa, Kaṁsa. All these activities, if we simply study and hear the kṛṣṇa-sampraśnaḥ, then we are liberated. Without any doubt, our liberation is guaranteed, simply by hearing about Kṛṣṇa."

lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.5

DATED: 31 JULY, 1972 LOCATION: GLASGOW