Employees from Citizen Potawatomi Nation enterprises heard from an Indigenous motivational speaker and comedian about managing stress in their lives. Oklahoma native Mitch Factor (Seminole/Menominee) spoke to CPN employees about the importance of self-care, maintaining a positive outlook and clear communication.
Dr. Julio Rojas, psychologist and licensed alcohol and drug counselor at CPN Behavioral Health, discusses factors contributing to stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, and advocates for comprehensive and compassionate care.
In recent months, CPN Behavioral Health Department Psychologist Shannon Beach has noticed a shift in anxiety focused first on the virus and sickness to its consequences now, such as quarantine, uncertainty, life management and more.
Our purpose in all of this is to stay safe. Stay safe physically and emotionally. Those are the goals. After that, go ahead and pick up a new hobby, or stay home and do nothing; or find a balance between the two.
While it is certainly important to stay informed, it is also important to know when to take a break and avoid information overload. Sometimes this is going to include letting people around us know when to take a break.
Whatever the loss, we are going through this in a way that is different than we have before. This makes it important to try and understand what we are experiencing so we have a better idea of what to do.
In times like these when our social supports can seem limited, it may be helpful to find the things that tell us it just might be a good day today.
While many people are helping in ways that make a direct impact right now, there are a great number of us who want to help but just simply do not currently do work in a direct care capacity.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a number of apps to help anyone with a smartphone and a desire to improve their mental health through practice and introspection.
Most of us use our phones, tablets, and computers all day, and at times, well into the night. Technology can be very useful, but it can also cause some unnecessary worry.