28/03/2024
On the 28th of March, Caring for Life in partnership with Deutsche Bank launched our inaugural lunchtime Brown Bag session.
This month we engaged Mr Stephen Lew, Founder, School of Positive Psychology to share some of his insights into mental health in the workplace.
Mr Lew is also Co-Founder, Thrive Psychology Clinic, Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Coach and Wellbeing Tech Advisor.
We started with a book.
Imagine yourself as a book in a library. How would your story show more resilience, what chapters you would want to write for your future. Many adults would imagine fondly watching their childrena life with their children, watching fondly as they grow up.
But watching isn’t enough anymore. Young people face challenges we never did.
In a validated study, 9 out of 10 young people reported experiencing anxiety. On a spectrum of -10(languishing) to +10(thriving), the majority of people in the trial were in the region of -3(merely surviving) And what does survival mean for us?
Step into an imaginary car. A collision in front! With all your neurons firing, "instinct" takes over and you make it though!
Now, in that car, how are we to get back to 'normal' ? Defuse the 'high alert', bring heartbeat and blood pressure down? Do we have strategies for how to bring your mood back to neutral?
Lack of these soft skills might just by why there are people around us always unhappy, always angry. Skills may be broken down to manageable chunks, learnt alone, with a partner, often a therapist.
We are expert at identifying potential problems, we have an inherent negativity bias wired into the human DNA. This worked for the caveman who faced a physical threat and needed a boost to fight. However, modern men with modern threats have no one to fight, and their families, friends and inanimate objects become the targets of releasing their wrath. And some men (and women) take it to even more negative levels like..
"Affluenza:
People want affluence, higher life and success. Paradoxically those totally consumed by pursuit of wealth and success are often end up chronically disatissfied with life, socially isolated, unmotivated, indifferent to their surroundings. Could they be transformed by a new interest in life. Input from our surroundings is more important than we think!
When we constantly receive negative input.
Negative words, phrases, sentences, actions from around us build negativity. Children who experience this may end up with childhood trauma - hyperarousal, flashbacks, physical illnesses
be diagnosed with mental illnesses if not properly treated. The effects of childhood trauma may be resolved through therapy and support.
Even the news may inundate us with negatives all the time, causing distress to those who are vulnerable.
Why have these points been highlighted?
The good news is, these skills can be learnt! Awareness of the issues and wanting to change is a courageous step toward mental well-being.
Gathering support is sufficient for some. But if you are or know someone who's really struggling, it would be best to seek the help of a therapist! They may have just the answer you are looking for!
June Tang Su***de Prevention Advocate
