Mental health has become a central topic of discussion as reports of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions continue to rise in the United States and globally. Governments, the media, businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofits are all doing a great deal, albeit inadequately, to address the alarming rates of mental health distress and deaths from despair, including drug overdoses and suicide. We are undertaking various initiatives. Although mental health is often discussed in the context of clinical mental health services, there is a view that expanding access to traditional clinical mental health services such as therapy and psychiatry alone will not be able to meet all current needs. is increasing. This reflects the fact that community members can be just as effective as clinicians in providing some form of mental health support, and that mental health is inseparable from other intersecting factors of oppression and injustice. This is due to factors.
Meanwhile, the field of social change and innovation is addressing the greatest challenges of our time: collective pain. As we work for social change with the communities we serve, we see the realities of poverty, injustice, violence, marginalization, and climate destruction every day. Many of us are on the front lines of crisis response, often torn between immediate relief and long-term reform priorities. Existing narratives of martyrdom, heroic entrepreneurship, and resource scarcity cloud our efforts to be courageous without excluding or exploiting ourselves. It’s no wonder that stories like burnout are so prevalent that countless leaders who impact society, despite their immense talent and sense of purpose, eventually leave their calling forever. .
If mental health ultimately allows us to move beyond life’s difficulties toward a sense of growth and contribution, then it is critical to the social transformation that exists at the intersection of our collective pain and collective freedom. Extremely important. And if large parts of the population are to experience the liberating possibilities of mental health and healing, it cannot remain the exclusive domain of the formal mental health system. To achieve lasting impact and experience much-needed collective healing, mental health must be integrated into the world of social change.
This is not only necessary, it is possible. Through the Catalyst 2030 Mental Health Collaboration’s shared community of social innovators and our own organizations, Brio and Mental Health America, we have seen the incredible potential and results of integrating mental health into social change work. Ta. As a collective of social entrepreneurs and practitioners, the Mental Health Collaborative aims to accelerate global mental health innovation as a means to more effectively and inclusively achieve significant social and environmental impact. I am.
Mental health as a resource for change
The important role that mental health plays in achieving meaningful social change starts at the core of what mental health actually is. While poor mental health can hinder the ability of individuals and communities to make the most of the potential in front of them, positive mental health supports individuals and communities to guide their own vision of prosperity. , can give you the power to influence. As a activator of internal resources, mental health can help sustain social change that requires sustained commitment and effort from those involved.
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Incorporating mental health into the world of social change also helps create a workplace culture that does no harm in doing good. As we work to change communities and structures, we often struggle with the resulting norms and system beliefs and barriers within ourselves and in our efforts. Whether it’s witnessing trauma and sadness, glorifying overwork, failing to create opportunities for genuine connection, or neglecting our own well-being, we are often conscious of our intentions in the way we interact with each other. You may not be able to re-enact the conflict or be unable to deal with it. We and our efforts are sustainable.
The good news is that there are many avenues for integrating mental health as a key component to making a lasting impact on society. In this series, we will be joined by innovative changemakers in the field who will share in-depth case studies on how leaders and innovators in the United States and abroad are using mental health to drive social change. These diverse perspectives offer wisdom to enrich conversations about the power of mental health to increase impact across four critical areas of social change: climate, peacebuilding, gender, and the workplace.
How to foster mental health in a changing world
To advance a future where people and planet thrive, we need more leaders and teams to integrate mental health and social change. It will take time, but I believe that just taking one step will give you strength. Here are four important practices. We will discuss these in more detail throughout this series.
1. Reimagine ourselves as members of the mental health ecosystem and build communities of mutual support.
Great change is possible when we recognize that mental health and healing is the domain of all of us, not just mental health professionals. Gaining a foundational understanding of how poor mental health affects our communities will change the attitude and pace at which we work, how we define success, and how we collectively engage in the healing process. You can learn how important it is to participate. Start by learning about the effects of trauma and how best to support others. You will then learn more about local resources and support, if available.
In an upcoming article on the power of mental health to promote peacebuilding, Glasswing International’s Celina de Sola will discuss critical mindset shifts for working with vulnerable populations, how mental health and trauma can help We will share important ways to think about the impact of our work and how we can do so. Be an informed supporter of mental health in the communities we serve.
2. Respect the emotional and mental impact of the difficult realities we face.
Emotional reactions such as sadness, frustration, and anger are valid and appropriate responses to experiencing and confronting injustice in social change work. These emotions often motivate us to act, but it’s also important to create a space where we can process and validate these emotions as they arise. Does providing open dialogue, space for the arts, mental health education, or support groups ignore the emotional and mental effects that can worsen over time and cause burnout? It helps you honor your own experience without being overly sensitive.
In an upcoming article on the intersection of mental health and the climate movement, we’ll be joined by mental health experts Leanne Zeitz and John Jameel Benson Alta to address the challenges of enduring mass suffering, addressing moral crises, and intergenerational We discuss how to create space for the long term. Period changes and healing.
3. Provide opportunities for connection and support rooted in shared experiences.
Receiving support from people we empathize with can be healing and show us that we are not alone. These relationships and interactions give us the opportunity to be inspired and supported by those who we feel understand us and our experiences better. In addition to broader mental health resources, we can prioritize spaces and initiatives that allow individuals to connect with each other around shared experiences.
In an article focused on mental health and gender, Dr. Rukuzo Mwamuka argues that leaders, particularly those from communities that have historically been excluded from mental health services and initiatives, need to share their experiences with mental health and access resources. They can help you explore ways in which you can improve your well-being by adapting your mental health. It reflects the needs of the community.
4. Foster a common language around mental and emotional experiences and build a culture of empathy.
Empathetic relationships at work are essential to supporting mental health, and it starts with awareness of self and others. Many of us are familiar with the vocabulary of our industry, but we could potentially expand our vocabulary around mental and emotional experiences. You can start by simply recognizing and naming the different inner realities felt by your colleagues and team members in the context of the work itself. Sometimes this is as simple as learning how to use words to describe our thoughts, emotions, and sensations as part of our present moment experience. It also means developing better skills at knowing what to ask when a colleague is struggling.
In the final article, Enoch Li, founder of Bearapy, writes about how to dispel bias, align mental health with values, and gradually shift your workplace culture towards a collaborative and happy direction.
The costs and promise of mental health in social change.
Without significant increases in mental health awareness, promotion and support, our world of social change will not be able to fully deliver the wide-ranging potential that we urgently need. And without meaningfully integrating mental health across programs and sectors, we will be stuck with a system that is inadequate to serve everyone.
Incorporating mental health into the world of social change may sound complicated, but there are many paths forward. This series features stories and lessons from social innovators who have proven that mental health is worth investing in to achieve the impact we want in the world. We encourage funders and supporters of social change to consider how including mental health can amplify the sustainability of the work they currently support. And for those of us who are on the front lines of social change, we hope these recommendations will help us heal more in terms of our important social mission, rather than just another one on a long to-do list. I hope that this will be an easy step towards freedom.
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