What if I told you that you could get rid of your own depression or anxiety ? Would you be interested ? What if I also told you that there is a possibility of healing schizophrenia and OCD ? Would you believe me ? Probably not . If it were that easy , don ’ t you think we would have a lot less mental illness in this world ? Apparently , that is not the case . Mental illness seems to be growing at an exponential rate in our nation and our world currently . May is Mental Health Awareness Month . We wouldn ’ t need a month dedicated to mental health awareness if we could eradicate it , would we ?

Might I propose to you that we have the power to control our brains ? Not that the brain controls the mind but that the mind controls the brain . Research cited in Science Daily shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental , physical and behavioral illness comes from one ’ s own thought life . Excuse me , what ? If you are depressed , you are most likely having negative thoughts running through your brain all day which changes the chemicals you are releasing into your brain . Science is proving that negative thinking is not the norm . Your brain is hardwired for love . You are hardwired to think optimistically . We function better in this life when we are thinking positive thoughts . So , what thoughts are you allowing into your brain today ?

There is a verse in the Deuteronomy 30 that says , “ I have set before you life and death , blessing and cursing ; therefore choose life , that both you and your descendants may live .” Did you catch that dose of responsibility at the end of that verse ? Choose life so that you and your descendants might live . Not only does positive thinking fuel your brain to live a more positive life but it also gives life to your children and their children and all those that come after you . You have a responsibility to change your brain right now . You have two options set before you , life and death , positive or negative thoughts .

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HEALING THINKING

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However , as I said before if it were that easy , wouldn ’ t we have a lot more whole and healthy people ? Yes , it ’ s a simple concept but its hard work . Changing your thought life is a process . At one point in my life , I was consumed by negative thinking . I looked at myself in the mirror and thought horrible things . I was in a deep depression , having panic attacks every day and sometimes all day . Until one day when I started learning about how your thought life affects you . There were several things that I did to make a change in my life .

The first thing I did was , I sought out a counselor . If you would like advice on finding a good counselor , please ask me . I have dozens of counselors in

“ Our brains are also hardwired for relationship .”

the East Atlanta region that I can suggest and even some in the Metro Atlanta area . Please let me stress to you that it is absolutely okay to see a counselor . There is a stigma that if you see a counselor , then you are crazy . I would like to propose to you that every one of us is a little bit “ crazy ” ( even though I don ’ t like that word ). I like to imagine seeing a counselor as sitting down with one of your friends and just sharing life . I am also always open to sitting

According to the World Health Organization , “ Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential , can cope with the normal stresses of life , can work productively and fruitfully , and is able to make a contribution to his or her community ” ( 2014 ). Sounds pretty normal right ? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month , I thought that it would be important to highlight the “ miseducation ” of mental health . Discussions about mental health can be misinformed . All too often people are associated with being “ crazy .” I can admit that some cases are more severe

down and talking over coffee . If you ’ re feeling unsettled about sitting down with a counselor , I will let you in on some secret information . A lot of counselors chose their profession because they have walked through something really hard themselves . There isn ’ t one thing that you have experienced or done that someone else hasn ’ t also experienced or done . You are not damaged . I actually always tell everyone to be kind to themselves . When we make mistakes , sometimes we are just doing what we think is best at a time when we are hurting with only the information that we have at that moment . Forgive yourself . If you feel the need to see a counselor , then do it . If not , find a family member or friend who will listen .

When I saw a counselor , I was told that I could practically work on changing my thought life by using affirmations . Take a piece of paper and write down ten good things about yourself . If it feels weird because its not what you really think about yourself , do it anyway . Every morning when you wake up , stand in front of the mirror and say those ten affirmations to yourself . Do this every day for 21 days . In order for a thought

THE MISEDUCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH “ REMOVING SHAME AND STIGMA ”

Renee Bryan M . Ed ., M . A . LAPC

than others , but often times this is not the case . Mental health issues can sometimes go undetected and be a direct result of pent-up emotions , unresolved trauma , and distress that has never been addressed over the years . Awareness and the pursuit of wellness are essential .

Mental health is just as important as your physical and spiritual health since we are all three-part beings with a mind , body , and soul . When one of these areas is neglected there will be an imbalance . Some of the most common types of mental illness that can affect a person ’ s daily functioning are depression and anxiety . Did you know that these two culprits influence a large number of our world ’ s population and workforce ? Did you know the numbers have increased since the onset of social media ? That ’ s a topic in and of itself for another day . Mental health is about optimal wellness and to desire it exchanges shame for courage . Being proactive about your mental health will enhance every

to become hardwired into your brain , you must actively think it for 21 days . I know you may be thinking that just because the thought is hardwired does not make it accurate . I would like to say that anything good that you have to say about yourself is probably true because it ’ s most likely coming from your heart .

The final thing that I did was I found a community of people . You need community . Our brains are also hardwired for relationship . Relationships are hard and messy but they are rewarding to our brains . There is something valuable in being fully known and fully loved in a tight-knit community . When you ’ re in community and thinking negative thoughts about yourself , someone will probably tell you the truth faster than you will tell it to yourself . If you can ’ t find a good community , come to Awake Coffee Community , and we will embrace you with open arms because community is what we do and we do it well .

I want to add that if you read this and you are impacted by it , please do not ever completely stop taking any medication and do not stop seeing a doctor . These are steps you can take to finding freedom in your life . I have a B . A . in Psychology , but I am not a doctor . If you are struggling with mental illness of any kind , please seek help . You are worth it . Every day when you wake up , you are given a choice of life or death . Choose life . You owe it to the world because you have gifts and experiences that no one else in this world has .

I gathered a lot of information from Dr . Caroline Leaf ’ s book , “ Switch On Your Brain .” I would highly suggest that you read this book and support this incredibly brilliant woman .

Lauren Roberts Editor

aspect of your life and cultivate a deeper level of self-awareness .

Here are 3 tips that can help you or someone you know that has been affected by mental illness :

• Don ’ t beat yourself up if you have been diagnosed with a mental illness because you are not the illness .

• Surround yourself with people who are supportive and display empathy and compassion , instead of judgment

• Find a counselor that can normalize your experience and form a collaborative partnership with you as this journey is not meant to be taken alone .

In recent years mental health has come up in the headlines as it pertains to various acts of evil and personal disclosures by others who have been directly affected by it . People are becoming more open about sharing their stories of how mental illness has affected their everyday lives . Shedding light on such issues removes the shame and stigma and helps people to walk in the freedom that they deserve .

The Metro Times Atlanta May 2018 | Page 12

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

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HEALING THINKING

THE MISEDUCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH “ REMOVING SHAME AND STIGMA ”