Whispers to Wisdom: Triumphing Over the Echo of Rumors

The Chicago Journal Staff on September 9, 2024

By: Overnight Publicity

Life’s unpredictability can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Like a river, it flows with calm stretches and turbulent rapids. During these challenging times, a strong support system of family, friends, and mental health professionals becomes our lifeline, guiding us towards emotional stability and resilience.

My story begins in the hallways of my high school, where an innocent interaction sparked a wildfire of rumors that would follow me for years. It started when a boy on the school bus, who had previously shown interest in dating me, asked an inappropriate question about self-pleasure. Uncomfortable and taken aback, I simply shook my head “no” and moved to a different seat. Little did I know that this small gesture would become the catalyst for years of torment.

The cruelty reached new heights when someone went as far as publicly shaming me at a basketball game. They displayed my picture and hurled derogatory names at me, turning what should have been an enjoyable event into a nightmare. These rumors continued to haunt me well into adulthood, causing ongoing distress and harassment. There were even frightening instances where strangers followed me, subjecting me to verbal and physical attacks.

Navigating this tumultuous journey was made even more challenging by my autism. The naivety, anxiety, and communication difficulties that often accompany autism made it hard for me to accurately interpret and respond to these complex social situations. There were times when I struggled to defend myself or explain my side of the story, which only seemed to fuel the rumors further.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, I refused to let the cruelty of others define me. I leaned heavily on my faith, drawing strength from my beliefs and the hope they provided. My determination to succeed and fulfill my purpose became my driving force. I made a conscious decision not to give in to the sadistic individuals who seemed intent on breaking my spirit.

“Awareness is the first step to change,” became my mantra. I realized that by sharing my story, I could potentially help others who might be going through similar experiences. It became clear to me that bullying knows no bounds, but neither does resilience. This realization empowered me to push forward, using my experiences as a catalyst for personal growth and a tool to help others.

Today, as a school psychologist specializing in autism and child find evaluations and counseling, I use my past experiences to fuel my passion for helping others. I employ a variety of therapeutic techniques, including mindfulness, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), play therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). My goal is to provide a holistic approach to support the well-being of my students, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.

My journey has also inspired me to become an advocate for mental health awareness in the minority community. I understand firsthand the importance of breaking down stigmas and providing accessible support for those who need it most.

Outside of my professional life, I find joy in volunteering, extending my compassion beyond the school setting. I also nurture my creative side through crafting, finding solace and expression in the act of creating. My faith continues to be a cornerstone of my life, and I regularly attend church, drawing strength from my spiritual community.

Perhaps most importantly, I cherish the adventures I embark on with my family. These moments of exploration and discovery serve as a reminder of the beauty and joy that life can offer, even after experiencing such difficult times.

My story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection. It stands as a testament to the fact that even in our darkest moments, with the right support and determination, we can not only survive but thrive. To anyone facing bullying or struggling with its aftermath, remember: your story isn’t over, and your resilience is a force to be reckoned with.

Published by: Martin De Juan

4 Tips to Boost Mental Health and Help You Feel Happier

The Chicago Journal Staff on September 9, 2024

Mental health is absolutely necessary for a healthy life, just as important as taking care of your physical health, if not more. Sometimes life hits you on the head with a brick, and the regular daily hustle and bustle begins to overwhelm you.

Your current mental state determines how you react to these circumstances and impacts your ability to cope with stress. Neglecting your mental health and not being in tune with it could make you feel angry, depressed, or sometimes frustrated more often than not. It is often known to further lead to debilitating physical symptoms like fatigue, chest pain, high blood pressure, and ulcers.

There is no denying that life is going to be tough and full of challenges. However, the good news is that you don’t have to continue to live that way. What you can do is manage your feelings and learn to handle everyday challenges. Easier said than done but definitely worth trying.

While for some, seeking mental health support from a professional is necessary, taking baby steps to boost your mental and emotional wellness is also known to make a huge difference.

You can adopt many lifestyle changes and habits to start improving your mental health right away. Here are six easy tips to boost mental health, help you recover from mild to major stresses of life, and aid you on your road to recovery.

4 Tips to Boost Mental Health and Help You Feel Happier

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Ketam Hamdan

1. Express yourself to set yourself free

What are you feeling? You have probably heard it a million times, but it’s time to ingrain it in your heart and brain for good.

Expressing your emotions and feelings in an authentic manner is the only way to be entirely true to yourself. The act of expressing emotions helps to keep in touch with your soul while also releasing the heavyweight of stress and tension you might be carrying around. Our bodies were never made to bottle emotions because they are bound to burst out in situations that may even be inappropriate one day or another. Keeping your feelings inside for long will only result in a disastrous explosion.

Taking some time alone to reflect on inner feelings and then being able to express them might help you make better decisions and understand what is right for you. The ideal way to do that is by writing down your thoughts and emotions, getting acquainted with them, and having the courage and ease to share them with your friend or partner. Refrain from bottling all that hurt you and encourage the use of sentences that begin with “I feel….”

Only when you are able to get vocal about your feelings, do you become true to yourself and understand all feelings and emotions in your body.

2. Establish a sense of safety

We all strive for places or people that make us feel safe. Feeling safe, stable, and secure is fundamental to our well-being. Sometimes the smallest of things or events and certain people make us anxious. When this happens, many tend to withdraw socially or get too caught up in this feeling of impending doom.

There is no doubt anxiety can be overwhelming for mental health and lead to unstable and generally unhappy lives. This feeling of anxiousness and fear stems from a perceived lack of safety at times. This lack of safety emerges from hopelessness. Many of us have no concept of what being safe means and that no matter what happens, life goes on.

Many people think of safety as physical safety, but the important aspect of our mental health is feeling safe and secure in our bodies, emotions, and lives. Feeling safe and secure means being self-assured and not having self-doubts. It means not having to deal with that dreaded sinking feeling. In order to take care of your mental health, it is essential to create and promote feelings of safety and security in life. If an event or individual makes you feel unsafe and numb around it, it is ideal to seek professional help.

3. Plan your time ahead

Having a well-planned out day or week can greatly help reduce anxiety and unneeded stress. Having something to look forward to is a great way to manage stress proactively. Boost your mental health by scheduling daily tasks for all parts of the day; morning, afternoon, and night.

Managing time in the right way does not mean having everything done in one go and being overwhelmed by it, but it means having enough time to do what matters most to you. Time management is all about personal management, which helps in achieving a better quality of life and good mental health. Prioritize the important items first in your day with clear action steps and create a vision for your life; it is the ultimate way to give you a reason for your actions, choices, desires, and existence.

4. Take of your inside and look inwards daily

While it is essential to spend your days being productive and proactive, making sure to include mental health activities throughout the day is a great way to build healthier habits in life. Plan your day to fuel your inner body and brain. Take out time to meditate, which may include following a guided meditation for 20 minutes daily, or doing some type of yoga or self-reflection exercises. Also, take time to exercise, which may include a 30-minute walk, run or weights.

Lastly, you are what you eat. So having a healthy diet with a good dose of omega 3s and appropriate 7-8 hours of sleep can help you check your mental and physical health.

Aside from these 4 tips to boost mental health, it is important to note that the actual first step comes from within you. You must be determined to change and adopt a healthier lifestyle that promotes mental wellbeing. You must really want to make a positive change in life and succeed. Sometimes these changes are mind-boggling and scary, but they are always for the best.

Hopefully, with these simple tips included in your daily life, you will be able to manage mental health and wellbeing.

For more information follow Dr. Ketam Hamdan on instagram or please contact Brain Health at:

Website: https://brainhealthgrowth.com/
Telephone: (281) 891-3342

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Ketam Hamdan

Author’s Bio:

Dr. Ketam Hamdan is a visionary therapist and educator, passionately redefining mental wellness through her innovative approach at Brain Health. With a Ph.D. in psychology and advanced studies in religion from Harvard and Columbia, she expertly navigates trauma, relationships, and integrative therapy. Her unique approach blends science and spirituality to help clients connect mind, heart, and body, unleashing their potential. Dr. Hamdan also guides C-suite executives on transformative leadership journeys. Her compassion extends beyond clinical work to co-founding a non-profit aimed at making mental health accessible to all.

Disclaimer:

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Mental health is complex, and individual needs vary significantly. Always consult a licensed mental health professional or counselor for advice tailored to your personal situation. The views expressed in this article reflect those of the author and do not necessarily represent a universal approach to mental health. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate assistance from a healthcare provider or a crisis helpline.

Published by: Holy Minoza