Strengthening You Newsletter
Vol. 24 - October 2024​
Power Corner
Strengthening CHW Capacity for Mental Well-being with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
At CHW Strength, we are committed to empowering Community Health Workers (CHWs) to support mental well-being in their communities. A key part of this effort is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to strengthen CHWs' capacity in addressing mental health challenges.
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What is MHFA?
MHFA equips CHWs with the knowledge to recognize and respond to early signs of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and substance use. This training empowers CHWs to offer initial support and connect individuals to the necessary professional care.
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Building CHW Capacity
Through MHFA, CHW Strength enhances CHWs’ ability to meet the mental health needs of underserved populations, while fostering their own emotional resilience. By building this capacity, CHWs are better prepared to serve their communities with compassion and confidence.
Learn more about the benefits of MHFA at National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Resilience Corner
Mental Health Focus for Workplace Resilience in Public Healthcare
In today’s high-pressure healthcare environment, prioritizing mental health fosters workplace resilience and distress tolerance. Public healthcare workers frequently face stress and emotional exhaustion; without proper support, these pressures can lead to burnout. By integrating mental health initiatives—such as counseling, mindfulness programs, and peer support—organizations can help their teams develop more robust coping mechanisms.
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When healthcare workers have access to mental health resources, they are better equipped to handle high-stress situations, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks. Additionally, improving distress tolerance allows employees to manage emotional discomfort effectively, maintaining calm and focus in challenging situations.
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Strategy for Improving Distress Tolerance
Healthcare organizations can visit Mindful.org for effective techniques like controlled breathing, guided imagery, and mindfulness practices. These tools help employees regulate emotions and enhance their ability to manage distress.
Prioritizing mental health improves personal well-being and creates a more sustainable, resilient workforce that can continue delivering high-quality care.
Energy Corner
Restoring Energy: Mental Health Tools for CHWs and Clients
As community health workers, we care for others, but our mental health and our clients are just as important. Depression is a challenge many face, and it’s not just about feeling down; it can make everyday life overwhelming.
Though we don’t diagnose or treat depression, we can share supportive techniques. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one effective tool that helps challenge negative thoughts. We and our clients can benefit by questioning thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “Nothing will get better” and replacing them with healthier ones.
Here’s a simple CBT technique:
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Spot the Negative Thought: Notice when negative thoughts appear.
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Challenge It: Ask if it’s really true.
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Reframe It: Replace it with a more balanced thought.
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Sharing this with clients (and using it ourselves) promotes mental well-being. Encourage everyone to seek professional help to find what works best for them.
When we care for our mental health, we strengthen the communities we serve.
Sound Corner
Join us throughout October as we highlight the inspiring journey of Lisa Brunick, a former art teacher turned art therapist. In this special interview, Lisa shares how she combined her passion for art with therapy to transform mental health and well-being through creative expression. Discover the healing power of art therapy and how it plays a crucial role in supporting mental health within our communities.
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Follow our social media this month to learn more about Lisa's story and her impactful work in art therapy. If you'd like to connect with Lisa, you can find her on LinkedIn.
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