Thoughtful Responses
Have you thought about how you receive and share information? And is one (receiving or sharing) more important than the other? How we receive information can be viewed from a few angles. On one hand, we can look at the method by which information is received, whether that’s verbally, visually, or through other senses (taste, touch, smell). On the other hand, how information is processed may be unique for each individual either due to personal strengths, such as a heightened sense of hearing or smell, or what an individual has found to work best for them to learn (i.e. visual vs. auditory). The same can be said for sharing information. It is this aspect of information that I would like to explore more, especially as it relates to healthy messaging.
Both receiving and sharing information go hand in hand, particularly when working with other people. Likely what you share is based on the information that has been received. And to give an appropriate response, all information available is crucial. There are times though when what is perceived or represented is contrary to what is actually shared or intended. This may or may not be the fault of the listener or sharer. If this takes place, it is likely that there was an absence of dialogue in order to clarify information received and shared. Yet, the sharer is in a great position to give the messages that they wish to convey. How we respond, even when faced with negative experiences, can have the biggest impact. Maybe we are working with an individual who is unkind. Or someone we are close to violates our trust (or that we trust doesn’t follow through as expected). Perhaps we are experiencing a hostile work environment. Sometimes our perceptions of the words and actions of others can determine how we respond. If perceived negatively (as a negative reflection of our character, worth, or intentions), we can easily become hurt, offended, or embarrassed, to name a few reactions. But these types of experiences present an opportunity to speak to the challenges that are before us, either in support of others, ourselves, or both. I’m reminded of feedback a mentor often shared, which was that words are simply information. We get to choose what we are going to do with them. Then, I would say we can take it one step further, which is to use our words wisely, intentionally adding value to the lives of others, including growth and lasting change.
Consider how you both receive and share information and ways that you might create healthy messages in your life and the lives of others. In going back to the questions shared initially, I find that in receiving information we are able to add significant value to others as a listener but how information is shared is particularly meaningful. It has been especially important for me to encourage people and organizations to go beyond the status quo (established cultures). And for me, this is largely founded upon and influenced by giving thoughtful responses.
I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems.
Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.
Challenging Ideas of Mental Health
Perceptions can be very powerful. We often form beliefs or ideas based on our experiences or what we learned or were taught. Forming an impression about someone or something is natural and can even be helpful for making decisions, particularly when it involves avoiding dangerous situations. However, while our perceptions can be accurate, sometimes they can be wrong. It’s the wrong impressions that we form that can be damaging, especially in the face of combating stereotypes and stigmas. When you think of mental health, what comes to mind? It can be thought of as something that’s for “those people” who have significant emotional or psychiatric challenges, have been hospitalized, are on state/federal insurance or other government assistance, are overmedicated, and/or are low-income earners or are unemployed or receive disability, among other associations that have been linked to individuals receiving mental health care. Due to this, maybe you’ve believed that mental health is not for you.
In previous blogs, I’ve shared about what has drawn me to mental health care. Also, see my story. Ultimately, I am inspired by the healing and growth of others and what makes people uniquely special. In life we all go through challenges, some more difficult than others (likewise, everyone experiences and navigates challenges differently). Yet, there is power in overcoming and confirming/affirming your strengths. There is also power in sharing compassion and hope with others. I would like to encourage people to think about mental health differently. Consider the support that may be helpful for you towards healing/wholeness. Or the skills/tools that may contribute to success personally and professionally, especially as you seek to assist others in the best way possible. It is my desire to assist professionals, particularly in mental health and related fields, to receive support and be successful. This is the purpose of Whole Leader Group. Sometimes, it’s a matter of changing the way you think.
Unfortunately, society and systems of care have not helped with this shift in thinking about mental health. In my experiences, far too often institutions have assisted in creating the stereotypes and stigmas we see today. As someone who values healthy messages, it has been particularly disheartening to see systems of oppression and co-dependency communicated in words and actions in the mental health field. In these cases, adverse solutions have involved putting bandages on festering wounds or creating greater problems than what previously existed, one resulting issue being the debilitation of people. Consequently, it becomes easier to make excuses for unhealthy behaviors - blaming actions on conditions or attributing actions to aspects of one’s personality that is believed can’t or won’t change. While medication may be helpful for addressing certain medical issues, it is imperative to come face to face with the heart of the matter in order to achieve lasting change. It has been disappointing to find an absence of values such as independence, growth, and success in mental health. I would argue that this picture of mental health care is not what mental health is about. As stated earlier, real growth is needed in the lives of people, personally and professionally. Thus, it has been part of my mission to advocate for change in mental health services.
I am excited for the growth that is possible in the lives of people and organizations as a whole, especially mental health care. It begins with challenging ideas. I would love to hear your thoughts on opportunities for personal and professional growth, the state of mental health care, what you would like to see done differently, and your hopes for the field.
Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems.
Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.