Aug 7, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Good Morning Stronger Together Friends,
This week I propose discussing the following video that discusses a possible link between childhood emotional trauma and serious addiction. I don’t always agree with conclusions drawn from the proposed videos, but hope they are thought provoking and open up interesting discussions. We will see:}
Here is the video.
Here is the warmup question: If you had to wear a button with a maximum of six words on it describing your outlook on life, what would your button say?
DeAtley Barish
Jul 31, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi folks,
This week I’m trying to fret less and focus on the good. I almost thought it would be helpful to discuss mental health during an election campaign, but I’m a chicken so I bring you the topic of gratitude.
Another way to think about gratitude is training our minds to notice the tailwinds, not just the headwinds, and the present moment, not just the past and future ruminations. Our minds are geared to focus on pain (for our survival!) but our mental health might depend on going against that aspect of our nature.
Here’s a video we will watch: The Power of Gratitude. Thomas Gilovich, the speaker in this video podcast, has done longer presentations on the topic, but this one will hopefully get us started.
Warmup topic: Tell a story about a lucky break or a close call you’ve experienced.
See you Thursday at 7 p.m.!
Kirsten
Jul 9, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello Stronger Together friends,
This week’s topic is from a short article about appreciating ourselves. It is short enough to read together on Thursday. I think it is not only helpful for us to consider this technique, but to also to share personal “practices” we each use to find self value.
Here is the warm up question: What place would you really like to visit and have yet gone to, and why are you drawn to going there?
DeAtley
Jun 19, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
See you soon! Hello everyone.
At tonight’s meeting, we will start with an icebreaker when we will discuss:
“If you were famous for something, what two companies would you want to sponsor you?”
The article that we will discuss for tonight’s stronger together conversation is one written by the Surgeon General; he wants to be able to add a warning label to social media sites that have not demonstrated that they are safe.
Some questions that might come up in the conversation are around:
- “how might social media or the internet be affecting our mental health–either positively or negatively?”
- “Would a surgeon general’s warning help us make choices that are better for our mental health?” If not, what could help us avoid things that are not good for us?
- Similarly, “are there things we can do to help those we love avoid things that are not helpful for their mental health and do things that support mental health?”
James
Jun 12, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I think you will all agree that the topic Brian found for our conversation this week: “Is Watching the new News Bad for Your Mental Health” is very timely. We are inundated with 24-hour news circle so the question is how much news are we consuming and how is it affecting our mental health? The article below discusses how consuming too much news can impact our mental health and then offers some tips on how to manage our news intake.
There is no video this week and so I don’t have to worry about screen sharing, Yay! As you read the article below, take note of the many tips provided and come prepared to share your personal experiences. Let’s learn from each other and stay Stronger Together.
For our warmup question, please come prepared to talk about “The Best Book you have ever read.”
I look forward to seeing most, if not all of you on Thursday.
Sampson
Jun 5, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hi Stronger Together folks,
This week’s video is about a retired military veteran helping other veterans through art therapy. (Thanks, Brian, for the video!)
She talks about the difficulty of leaving military life and adjusting back to civilian life. For many veterans the expression of feelings, pain, and vulnerability has been greatly discouraged, leading to isolation and in some cases substance abuse. By encouraging non-verbal expression through hands-on making (with or without any art skills) she has helped some veterans find the adjustment more tolerable.
She also talks about creating one’s own “Mental Health Care Kit” for coping with stress, change, and loss.
Today’s warmup question: If you could add a room to your home that was for a specific, just-for-you purpose, what would you use it for and what would you put in there?
See you at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6!
Kirsten
