I read an amazing statement in the Terms of reference Shades of Noir.

This is such a true statement, no matter how much money we have in the world or how educated we are, even have the fastest car, everyone will be challenged with one weakness or another or even a vulnerability.

Some people may hide it well for years and later on in life end up crumbling because they have not been honest with themselves. If everyone focused on doing a little to be supportive and inclusive, this would be a better place. For some these changes have made life easier and provided a better quality of life. We cannot forget those who are less fortunate and can’t keep up the advancement. Although this world has progressed and advanced in social justice issues and technology There have been some instances where people have had to communicate with robots and systems who would rather talk to an actual person. For the ones that are not internet savvy and don’t have the patience, I feel sorry for them. That could be me in 30 years’ time. How will we cope. The voice of many is a very useful booklet tool. It covers areas and aspects of life, plus current scenarios that are relatable to most people. That some people wouldn’t know how to address. My eyes have been opened to never asume and over look.

I found this statement really insightful.

“Using the social model of disability as a theory instead of the medical model can change people’s outlooks on what other people can achieve, and how organisations and our environments should be structured. People who follow this way of thinking will be able to see past the outdated policies and procedures that can be a barrier to people with learning disabilities leading full and active lives”.  

Refrence:

Timlin and Rysenbury, (2010)

SoN (Aug 12, 2020) Disabled People: The voice of many
https://issuu.com/shadesofnoir/docs/disabled_people (Accessed 26/June/2023)

Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (2016). Social model of disability. [online] Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. Available at: https://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/s/social-model-disability (Accessed July 2023)

Extended Activity: SoN around Mental Health

Mental Health, It’s ok to say you don’t feel okay, article

I am amazed I am reading this at a time when I literally feel like I’m juggling everything.

I have so much…….

To do

I have to do….

I want to do….

I need to do….

I don’t want to do….

Wishing there was change immediately on some of life’s circumstances. I’m taking this article as a message of inspiration, a word of encouragement. Although I feel my mental health is intact. I have to make sure I don’t run into burn out. It states to take time off once in a while without feeling guilty but sometime we fear in loosing time especially towards deadlines and managing a working life we can’t afford to take our foot off the peddle.

While reading and taking notes, a news article alerted me on my phone, Sinead O’Connor dies and the cause of death mental health battles. Wow, we just never know what people are going through or what they have suffered and even how their foundation started so it’s’ good to be kind. I’ve defiantly heard this so many times this week, Look after yourself!

“Mental health theories strive to explain human development behaviourally, psychologically, and socially”. positivepsychology.com (2019)

This resource has been encouraging. I would apply this to my teaching practise by collecting a number of sentences listed in the article and present them as positive pointers reminders around the classroom.

Reading something like:

“Don’t pressure yourself to perform if your battery level is low”

“It’s important for us to find moments of calm in all the chaos”. SoN (April 2017)

I have just realised I haven’t been to the Spa for a while, I’m going next week for my wellbeing

Notes to self: Five schools of thought, that attempt to explain mental health. Some professionals like counsellors and therapists use from this list.

Behaviorism
Behavior is a result of life experiences, not the unconscious mind. We learn through our experiences with our environment. This approach is all about conditioning. It is present focused.

Biological
This is a medical model of treating mental disorders. The idea is that something physical is the cause of mental illness. Symptoms are “outward signs of the inner physical disorder” (McLeod, 2018).

Psychodynamic
Like behaviorism, psychodynamic therapists view behavior as a result of experiences. One of the differences, though is that psychodynamic therapists focus on past experiences. They assert that unconscious forces drive people’s behavior. The client and therapist revisit explored ground to achieve more understanding. This therapeutic process can take many years.

Cognitive
The emphasis of this theory is on thinking, not doing. A feedback loop exists between the person’s assumptions and attitudes, their resulting perceptions, and the conclusions drawn from them (Grace College, n.d.). These therapists work to assist a person to change their thoughts. Doing this leads to a change in feelings and behavior.

Humanistic
This approach is characterized by three different therapies that can help people achieve their highest potential.

References:

Shades of Noir (April 2017) Mental Health & Creative Healing
https://issuu.com/shadesofnoir/docs/mhchtor

Daily Mail (June 2023) Sinead O’Connor dead
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12341117/Sinead-OConnor-dead-Irish-music-legend-dies-aged-56-years-mental-health-battles-18-months-17-year-old-son-Shane-passed-away.html

positivepsychology.com What Are Mental Health Theories?
https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-theories/ (Accessed July 2023)

positivepsychology.com What Are Mental Health Theories?
https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-theories/#list (Accessed July 2023)