It’s World Mental Health Day 2020
This year we are focussing on improving access to mental health support and opening up conversations about our wellbeing, so I urge you to check out the discussions online today.
Please remember that distance and the current lockdown limitations can be a good opportunity to utilise digital tools and foster better human connection. Sometimes asking for help online can be easier. For some, online can be the only way to seek help. So stay connected and support people around you!
As for Voxel Hub, I am working hard on finalising the Manifesto. After a series of free coaching trials, I am putting together a menu of integrated, virtual reality and digital wellbeing coaching. Over on the blog, Liam posted a lot of really interesting interviews, so go and check them out!
My favourite topics this month
Our brilliant Advisory Board member, Lewis Wedlock (interview here and here on our blog) and the young people from the team OTR Zazi launched “Black Bristol” this month – a fantastic online timeline of how black people shaped the history of our city. As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth it’s a great opportunity to enrich our local knowledge. I strongly recommend it!
*
Somewhat, as a follow up to this, I would like to remind you that Liam has recently posted a really good article on our blog about wellbeing for activists. Check it out, and if you want to learn more about the self-care for activists, check out the work of my friend, activist coach Anna Kuliberda – over on her Facebook page and website too.
*
Maya Kalaria, also an activist and a poet, is launching her poetry book about grief and identity at the end of October so look out for it. We have the virtual Good Grief Festival coming up soon as well. And last, but not least, my most stunning inspiration this month, also about grief, the meaning of life during the pandemic and respect of our elders – the wonderful Stephen Jenkinson in conversation with the well-known figure in the counselling world, Scott D. Miller PhD.
My presents for you this month:
As we enter darker autumn and winter (potentially lockdown) months, it can be tempting to slow down and hibernate. However, for good wellbeing, we do need to stay active so I have shared some of my Bristol walks in a calendar format for inspiration (a quarterly pdf, October, November and December).
The new book by Sonia Livingstone and Alicia Blum-Ross about the reality of parenting in the digital age and recommendations for a better future is out now. As a small contribution to the topic, I have shared my company contract template redesigned for digital wellbeing house rules.
And finally, to support this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, I have created a few visuals and Zoom wallpapers as a reminder of powerful questions. Ask those around you and share them with your networks – we never really know what is going on for others. It’s better to check-in:* How does that make you feel? (Instagram, Zoom)
* I am here, how can I help you? (Instagram, Zoom)
* It’s OK not to be OK, I’m listening (Instagram, Zoom)
I hope this update was useful. Let me know what else you would like to see here in the upcoming months.
Stay safe. Stay well. Stay connected.
Sylwia
—
Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter.
—
Photo by Mathyas Kurmann on Unsplash
