{"id":12770,"date":"2021-01-28T15:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T20:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/briwebapp.net\/cfgxfm\/?p=12770"},"modified":"2021-01-28T15:20:20","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T20:20:20","slug":"the-view-from-here-lets-talk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/briwebapp.net\/cfgxfm\/blogs\/afternoons\/2021\/01\/the-view-from-here-lets-talk\/","title":{"rendered":"The View From Here – Let’s Talk"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s Bell Let’s Talk Da<\/a>y.\u00a0 It started in 2010 as a way to focus on building awareness, acceptance and action in mental health.\u00a0 And it seems to be working.\u00a0 Or at least helping.<\/p>\n

In a recent survey conducted by Nielsen Consumer Insights in 2019, 84% of Canadians now say they are comfortable speaking with others about mental health<\/em>, compared to only 42% in 2012.<\/p>\n

It’s hard, isn’t it?\u00a0 Having that conversation? Talking about “it”.<\/p>\n

So many people are feeling the impacts on their mental health right now.\u00a0 \u00a0This pandemic has been one of the greatest challenges for even the happiest, most optimistic people.<\/p>\n

So let’s talk.<\/p>\n

About anything and everything.<\/p>\n

What’s on your mind?\u00a0 What are you feeling?\u00a0 How are you REALLY doing?<\/p>\n

To be honest, today has been a bit of a mess.\u00a0 Even though I stuck to my morning routine just fine, my focus is off.\u00a0 I’m trying to work but can’t seem to concentrate on any one thing. I’m distracted.\u00a0 I’m scrolling social media.\u00a0 I’ve got 20 tabs open and can’t focus on any one of them.\u00a0 I have a pile of work to do but can’t do any of it.<\/p>\n

My mind is racing and thinking about everything that is happening around us right now.\u00a0 \u00a0Working from home.\u00a0 Online school.\u00a0 \u00a0Making sure kids are up and “in class”.\u00a0 \u00a0Getting assignments done.\u00a0 Listening to projects and research papers.\u00a0 \u00a0Talking them through news headlines, listening to their fears and concerns.\u00a0 Listening to them talk about missing their friends.<\/p>\n

I think it’s exhausting.<\/p>\n

Just trying to stay positive sometimes.\u00a0 To look after yourself, your family.\u00a0 \u00a0To try so hard not to show worry or concern.\u00a0 \u00a0To worry about your job.\u00a0 Money.\u00a0 \u00a0Paying the bills.\u00a0 And I don’t know about you, but no matter how many times I tell myself “you’re fine” there’s something that lingers beneath the surface, always worried about “what if”.<\/p>\n

Fighting something you can’t see is hard.\u00a0 This virus has sure done a lot of damage to so many.<\/p>\n

Add to that news headlines lately have been downright scary.\u00a0 It feels like we’re living an episode of Criminal Minds.\u00a0 But this is real.<\/p>\n

I think we absorb it.\u00a0 All of it.\u00a0 We feel it.\u00a0 Even if it’s just comments on a page.<\/p>\n

It can feel too much on a good day.<\/p>\n

That’s why “let’s talk” day matters.\u00a0 To encourage the conversations.\u00a0 To give yourself permission to share what’s on my heart and on your mind.\u00a0 To say “I’m not okay”.\u00a0 \u00a0To reach out to others.\u00a0 To be there to listen.\u00a0 To be there to show compassion.\u00a0 Kindness.\u00a0 Understanding.<\/p>\n

No shame.\u00a0 No judgement.\u00a0 No embarrassment.<\/p>\n

Talking about how we are doing and being HONEST matters more than ever. It helps us feel more connected and less alone in the struggle.<\/p>\n

So let’s talk.\u00a0 And keep talking.\u00a0 Without fear of what people will think or say.\u00a0 And let’s listen.<\/p>\n

Email me anytime cbuchanan@blackburnradio.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n