Anthonia Bisola Otunla’s Post

The Power of Community-Centred Well-Being Organizations My colleague Rameri illuminates the immense benefits of having a community well-being organisation like Pattigift Therapy. Too often, traditional well-being services are framed around norms that don’t fully resonate with everyone’s lived experience, particularly for those from African heritage communities. In these spaces, we often feel like we must adjust ourselves—leave parts of who we are at the door—to fit in and be understood. But when you have an organisation designed with ‘us’ in mind, where the rhythms, the moods, the ways we communicate, and how we move through life are centred around our own cultural experiences, it creates something powerful. Imagine a space where you don’t have to filter yourself through a lens of what’s deemed “acceptable” or “appropriate”—a place where you can just be you, fully. That’s what we provide. It’s like stepping into a place that feels like home, where your communication style, colloquialisms, and natural ways of being are embraced and not scrutinised. This approach has a profound impact on individual well-being. It allows for deeper engagement, not only with others but also with oneself. Surrounded by people who understand and resonate with your experiences, you can shed the isolating feeling of being flawed in a flawed world. And that’s the beauty of collective healing—when we come together in a space like this, we realise we’re not alone, we’re not “crazy,” and we’re not wrong. We can see that our struggles aren’t personal pathologies but are often responses to a world that wasn’t built with us in mind. This shared understanding can accelerate healing because we can just ‘be’; when we can just be, we are already three-quarters of the way to healing. We are in need of support to continue providing this safe, healing environment. The current situation makes this need more urgent than ever. We are seeking funding to not only sustain but also expand our services. If you believe in the power of culturally-centred well-being, we would be thrilled to hear from you and explore potential collaborations to make an even more significant impact. #CommunityWellbeing #AfricanHeritage #MentalHealthMatters #CulturalHealing #CollectiveHealing #SupportMentalHealth #pattigifttherapy

Meet Julia Kühne, who lives in Rostock, northern Germany. She shares her experiences working within a patient organization for individuals with Dystonia. Julia finds it a unique and fulfilling experience as it connects her with others who understand her condition. Raising awareness about Dystonia, sharing the latest knowledge, and fostering a supportive community are particularly important to her. Additionally, her role offers insights into the functioning of patient organizations and networking opportunities with patients and scientists across Europe. In her free time, Julia enjoys outdoor activities such as walking and traveling, despite the challenges posed by her visibly evident Dystonia. Living near the sea, she finds solace in walking along the shore. When she prefers to stay indoors, she engages in drawing and painting, a passion since childhood that allows her to express emotions and momentarily forget her condition. On challenging days, Julia draws motivation from her friends, who, despite not having Dystonia, provide empathetic support and listen to her concerns. She also practices mindfulness, finding yoga and meditation essential for self-compassion, calming her mind, and embracing herself as she is. We are always looking for volunteers. Please fill out the linked form if you are interested in getting involved 🧡❤️ INTEREST FORM | https://lnkd.in/g2-gCdVi #dam24 #dystoniaawarenessmonth2024 #volunteerfordystonia #dystonialife #dystoniaawareness #dystoniafighter #fightfordystonia #dystoniaawarenessmonth #dystonia #dystoniaeurope #cervicaldystonia #generalizeddystonia #blepharospasm #braindisporder #movementdisorder

Humans: Connecting’s founder, Phil McAuliffe, and social media and design manager, Jeff Bartlett, attended the 2nd annual research symposium hosted by Ending Loneliness Together in Sydney earlier this week.   Phil delivered a keynote at the event in his capacity as Co-Chair of Ending Loneliness Together’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel about the role of lived experience in research policy and practice. During his keynote, Phil introduced the concept of the policy development triangle and said that people with lived experience must have an equal role as government and subject matter experts (like academics) in the development of policy responses to loneliness and social isolation. The concept became a recurring theme throughout the rest of the event. It was Jeff’s first event on loneliness and social isolation and his presence meant that the team could meet and engage with more of the other attendees and attend more of the nine amazing roundtables throughout the afternoon sessions. Jeff said that the event showed just how many people are dedicated to ‘reducing loneliness and social isolation in Australia, New Zealand and globally’ and now sees the role that Humans: Connecting can – and already does – play in leading kind and honest conversations about loneliness and human connection.   Our gratitude to the team at Ending Loneliness Together for hosting the event. It's wonderful to see it grow year-on-year.   Any opportunity to be in the company of people using their skills and expertise to help reduce loneliness and help humans get the connection that they need and deserve is one to be savoured.   We’re meant to connect: www.humansconnecting.org   #humansconnecting #humanconnection #loneliness #connection #lonely #socialhealth #mentalhealth #socialwellbeing #endinglonelinesstogether

International Men’s Day 2024: Recognizing Strength, Care, and Resilience Today, on November 19, we celebrate International Men’s Day—a day not about grand gestures but honouring men’s often quiet contributions to family, society, and community. 🌍 Men Who Inspire: Men step up daily, often in silence, taking on the roles of providers, mentors, and friends. They support their families, friends, and colleagues, rarely seeking appreciation but deserving every bit of it. To the Men Who: 🔸 Carry their battles in silence 🔸 Show strength through empathy and kindness 🔸 Support their loved ones without expecting anything in return 🔸 Work hard to build a more compassionate, equal world 👉 Today is also a reminder of the importance of men’s mental health and well-being. It’s time to break down the barriers of stereotypes and redefine strength as something that includes vulnerability, emotional openness, and connection. 🌱 Building a Positive Future Together: Let’s take this moment to promote conversations about: Challenging toxic masculinity Acknowledging the mental health struggles that men face Celebrating role models who are breaking stereotypes and reshaping expectations To Every Man Out There: Your efforts, presence, and resilience matter. You don’t need a cape to be a hero; you show courage by being yourself, embracing growth, and supporting those around you. Thank you for everything you do, seen and unseen, to make the world a better place. Happy International Men’s Day to all the kings out there—may you keep thriving and inspiring others by simply being who you are. 👑 Let's honor men not just today, but every day, and encourage them to prioritize their well-being, share openly, and seek support when needed. Happy International Men’s Day! Tag a man who has inspired you and share a word of appreciation today. 🌟 #InternationalMensDay #MensMentalHealth #PositiveMasculinity #Gratitude #StrengthInVulnerability

#Mental + #Physical + #Spiritual + #Relational + #CoRegulation + #CBT & #DBT skills including: #Mindfulness + #EmotionalRegulation + #DistressTolerance + #InterpersonalSkills = #Journey to #WellBeing & #Renewed #Health in #2024❗️

Mental Health is Physical Health💚

Great Graphics! I'll be printing and posting this in my classroom. This Holistic approach is necessary as we collectively evolve from our current Crisis Management Model of Wellness into a codified and normalized research-based Model of Wellness that is Preventative and widely accessible. I'm excited to see NBHWcs (National Board of Medical Examiner Certificated Health and Wellness Coaches), Medi-Cal Certificated Peer Support Specialists, and other roles in the Healthcare continuum emerge with rigorous standards of competencies to help bridge chasmlike gaps in service. It's also great to see professionals ranging from clinicians to county directors seeking training as Wellness Coaches and tackling stigma by choosing to identify with the Peer Movement. Removing barriers to access and creating research-backed roles for new types of trained helping professionals ready to assist those who are not in crisis (yet) and would like preventative care support to avoid crisis will be a game changer. What a great time to work in the helping professions.

Have you ever noticed how the deepest healing often comes from a simple, genuine connection with another person? You don’t need years of therapy or a spiritual retreat to make a massive shift in your life. It can happen instantly—right in that moment of resonance with another human being. Right now, my Welcome to Humanity online community is growing fast with 180 members, and I want you to be part of it—before time runs out. The founding member spots are almost gone, and once they’re filled, this opportunity will disappear. The Clock’s Ticking! Don’t Miss Your Founding Member Spot. Here’s what you’ll get: - Lifetime Free Access: That’s right, you’ll enjoy all the benefits, content, and interaction in our community—forever—without ever paying a dime. - Exclusive Perks: Be the first to access new content, features, and events. Plus, get a say in shaping what our community looks like in the future. - Influence the Community: This is more than just joining a group—it’s about making your mark. As a founding member, your voice will help guide our journey together. If you’re ready to bring balance and healing into your life, join us now while it’s still free! Don’t wait until the door closes—join today and secure your spot. Join Here: https://lnkd.in/g2QjEhBC What’s holding you back from taking the next step towards real connection and healing? Let’s talk about it in the comments. #FoundingMembersOnly #HumanConnection #LifetimeAccess #MentalWellbeing #HealingTogether #JoinNow #CommunityHealing #MentalHealthMatters #LastChance #EmotionalWellness #InnerPeace #SelfDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #MindfulLiving #StressRelief #SpiritualHealing #EmotionalResilience #MentalHealthCommunity #WellnessJourney #JoinTheMovement #HealingThroughConnection #CommunitySupport #HolisticHealing

Make sure you check out the next Women's Circle Workshop from Jeannette Bolck

Navigating Isolation to Keep Dreams Alive  ........................................................................................ In a world where collaboration and connection are the cornerstones of innovation and success, isolation can often feel like an insurmountable barrier to our dreams. It's a silent dream killer, lurking in the shadows of disconnectedness, whispering doubts and fears into the hearts of dreamers. But it's important to remember that isolation is not a permanent state, nor is it an end to our aspirations. It's a challenge to be overcome, a puzzle to be solved. By reaching out, forging connections, and building a network of support, we can reignite the spark of our dreams. Whether it's through virtual meetups, online communities, or simply a phone call to a colleague, every step we take towards others is a step away from isolation. It's in these connections that we find the strength to persevere, the inspiration to innovate, and the courage to dream boldly. So let's make a pledge to ourselves: to seek out collaboration, to embrace community, and to share our dreams with the world. Because together, we are stronger, and our dreams are too powerful to be silenced by isolation. #Dreams #Collaboration #Connection #Innovation #Community