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Suicide Awareness & Prevention
I learned at the age of 12 what suicide is, when my father died by suicide. And while we have seen some shifts in society around the stigma, we have a long way to go. One of the prevailing myths is that if you ask a person "are you thinking about killing yourself?" that it will put the idea in their head. That's simply not true, and in fact asking a direct question, can help save a life. Current data (CDC) shows us that there is about one death every 11 minutes, that's just over 130 each day; and the number of people that think about or attempt to take their own life is even higher. That means suicide has probably touched your family or friends circle too. Let's learn how to help.
What Can You Do To Help
With mental illness effecting 1 in 5 adults, and Alzheimer's now effecting 1 in 9 adults over the age of 65, And millions of teens and even children suffering from trauma to anxiety and more - most of us want to help, but just do not know how. Yet there are MANY tools you can take and use, and help yourself, your family and others. Those include making time to listen, and also to talk openly and help to stop the stigma. Recovery is a real option, and the earlier a person gets help, the better the timeline to success, and even in dementia to a longer independent life.
Mental Health - Brain Health
As a both certified Mental Health First Aider, and a Trauma Informed Graduate, it's my goal that people learn mental health includes, health. It's just part of the holistic look at our everyday health. We want our friends and family (and ourselves) to be both happy and healthy, and that includes the mental health part. All of us have had ups and downs, and better and easier, and harder times too. Mental health can be a struggle around a certain issue or time frame like grief or starting a new job, and it can last longer too like during a cancer diagnosis and treatment. And for some people in can be a life long situation that after a diagnosis is managed for their lifetime. There are tools we can take and use, for us and our circle of friends and family that can make our mental health better, and theirs too. Step one is knowing it's just part of our health, and our health journey, cause we all have brains and we all have mental health.
Work With Me
There are several ways to work with me. You can take one of the classes that I have put together online that are self paced and virtual. Or you can join an in-person online event. I am also available to speak to organizations and groups. There is a newsletter option to stay in touch, and there are a couple of social media options too. Those will be linked to the site very soon. And of course old school, bookmark this page and come back often to see what has been added and is available to you.
Physical Movement & Fitness
I am an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified, and NCAA accredited fitness instructor. And I focus on brain down fitness, and movement; your brain, body and breathing. Because I have seen first hand the difference it makes, and also the need we have to tie together brain health and body health. The awesome thing is it's achievable for everyone to be able to take part, and adapt movements and exercises, including thinking activities -even if you are seated.
Nutrition Choices
As a certified ACE Instructor, I am often asked about my ideas on the "best diet". We are taught in our certification, about the Mediterranean Diet, and lifestyle, variety and good choices, and portions. We are also taught the ethics of if you aren't a registered dietician, "stay in your lane" and don't promise what you don't know. For me personally, I have seen great research, and success and consistency, of health and brain professionals, with the Mediterranean lifestyle diet and to get really specific the "blue zone" diet.
The Vlog/Blog
This is the place where you can find individual content on the topics I cover. Sometimes written, and other times graphics or video. You will notice that the content is color coordinated by topic theme, and also has a searchable function on topics/content.