Learning From the Climate Mental Health Convergence Learning From the Climate Mental Health Convergence

Webinar Held By Catalyst 2030

August 2023

This webinar focused on the Stanford Social Innovation Review article of the same name. Read here.

The webinar was moderated by Matt Hughsam, speaking to Kelly Davis and Lian Zeitz as they expanded on the ideas within the article they co-authored with John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta.

Speakers Speakers

KELLY DAVIS

Kelly Davis is the AVP of Peer and Youth Advocacy at Mental Health America, where she leads efforts to expand peer support and young adult leadership. Kelly is a person with lived experience and is passionate about lived experience-driven and led programs, policies, and research. Examples of her current projects include partnering with college students to advance mental health rights in higher education and collaborating with youth to create priorities for school mental health policy.

LIAN ZEITZ

Lian Zeitz is the Co-Founder at the Climate Mental Health Network and was previously the Global Director of Love and Compassion for citiesRISE, a global platform committed to transforming the state of mental health policy and practice in cities and beyond to meet the mental health needs of populations across the world. He has conducted national and global research on youth mental health, family therapy models, trauma, and community mental health interventions. He has published work in leading journals, such as Contemporary Family Therapy, Cities & Health, Environment international, and Journal of Adolescent Health. Lian recently completed a Master of Divinity at Naropa University, studying contemplative wisdom, bioethics, youth mental health, and community healing. Lian earned a BASc from Quest University Canada, where he focused on public mental health and literature, and a certificate for Leadership in Mental Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

MATT HUGHSAM

Matt Hughsam is a facilitator, researcher, and coach committed to pursuing well-being and justice for people, our communities, and our planet. He is passionate about bringing together grassroots-led and systems-led efforts toward transformative change. At citiesRISE, Matt builds research, innovation, and movement building initiatives supporting youth-driven mental health transformation, primarily in India, Kenya, the U.S., and Colombia. He previously worked on programs ranging from community-based interventions to supporting evidence-informed decision-making in national governments. Matt loves speculative fiction and outdoor adventures.

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EL FACTOR INVISIBLE: Bienestar y salud mental para fortalecer el ecosistema emprendedor de alto impacto en América Latina y el Caribe

ENG: THE INVISIBLE FACTOR: Well-being and mental health to strengthen the high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean

By The Wellbeing Project, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

SOBRE EL ESTUDIO SOBRE EL ESTUDIO

En el ecosistema de innovación y emprendimiento de alto impacto en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) vemos cómo emprendedores/as cuentan experiencias difíciles de su día a día para mantener o hacer crecer exitosamente sus emprendimientos. Estas presiones diarias suelen estar vinculadas a factores que comúnmente podemos ver y medir, como el factor financiero, el factor operativo y los factores de sostenibilidad o escalabilidad. Pero se puede ver y conocer poco sobre el impacto y las posibles consecuencias de estas presiones en la vida personal, familiar o cotidiana de los seres humanos detrás de los emprendimientos. Un factor invisible que es hora de visibilizar. Si queremos fortalecer el ecosistema emprendedor de la región e impulsar su gran capacidad innovadora, es necesario atender un factor invisible pero fundamental: el bienestar y la salud mental de emprendedores/as de alto impacto.

Los emprendimientos de alto impacto son una parte esencial de las economías dinámicas de nuestros países. Sin embargo, en muchos casos, estos/as emprendedores/as enfrentan circunstancias y desafíos muy particulares de la región. A las presiones financieras y operativas cotidianas se suman contextos políticos, económicos y sociales muy cambiantes, así como recientemente los duros impactos por la pandemia del COVID-19. Esto ha generado un ambiente de alta tensión e incertidumbre en los emprendedores/as para poder mantener o hacer crecer sus iniciativas sin descuidar el compromiso laboral con sus equipos. El hecho que este desafío personal muchas veces parezca invisible y se suela enfrentar en solitario, por estigmas o prejuicios, hace que el sector de EAI sea “mucho más propenso a sufrir dolencias en bienestar y salud mental, como estados de ansiedad, fatiga, depresión o agotamiento generalizado (síndrome de burnout), en comparación con la población en general” (Endeavor, 2020).

Con el objetivo de entender y visibilizar la situación del bienestar y la salud mental, específicamente en el ecosistema emprendedor de Alto Impacto en la región, esta investigación realizó un estudio de carácter exploratorio para identificar y entrevistar a un grupo diverso de emprendedores/as en varios países de ALC. Fundadores/as o colaboradores, de diverso género, en varios tipos de industrias, con emprendimientos en distintas etapas y con diverso alcance geográfico o de mercado aceptaron participar voluntariamente para compartir sus experiencias y opiniones. Desde esta exploración, que se enfoca puntualmente en analizar la situación actual de las personas participantes, creemos que es posible reflejar lo que potencialmente afecta a una mayor parte del ecosistema. Esto puede ayudar a visibilizar la importancia de atenderlo para quienes están detrás de los emprendimientos, pero también para quienes los incuban, los aceleran o invierten en ellos. Ayudar a potenciar buenas prácticas, financiar investigación y ofrecer programas o herramientas de acompañamiento especializado al ecosistema emprendedor de la región es fundamental. Entendiendo el momento que vive la región y buscando fortalecer el crecimiento del ecosistema, se debe impulsar estratégicamente un nuevo enfoque: si los/ as emprendedores/as están bien, los emprendimientos irán mejor.

ABOUT THE RESEARCHABOUT THE RESEARCH

In the high-impact innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we witness entrepreneurs grappling with challenging experiences in their day-to-day efforts to sustain or expand their ventures. These daily pressures are often tied to factors that are readily observable and measurable, such as financial, operational, sustainability, or scalability considerations. However, we have limited insight into the impact and potential consequences of these pressures on the personal, family, and daily lives of the individuals driving these ventures—the human beings behind the scenes. This invisible factor demands attention and acknowledgement. If we are to fortify the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region and foster its remarkable capacity for innovation, it becomes imperative to address an unseen yet indispensable element: the well-being and mental health of high-impact entrepreneurs.

High-impact ventures are an essential part of the dynamic economies of our countries. However, in many cases, these entrepreneurs face very particular circumstances and challenges in the region. Added to daily financial and operational pressures are highly changing political, economic and social contexts, as well as recently the harsh impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has generated an environment of high tension and uncertainty for entrepreneurs to be able to maintain or grow their initiatives without neglecting the work commitment with their teams. The fact that this personal challenge often seems invisible and is usually faced alone, due to stigma or prejudice, makes the EAI sector “much more prone to suffering well-being and mental health ailments, such as states of anxiety, fatigue, depression or generalized exhaustion (burnout syndrome), compared to the general population” (Endeavor, 2020).

With the objective of understanding and making visible the situation of well-being and mental health, specifically in the High Impact entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region, this research carried out an exploratory study to identify and interview a diverse group of entrepreneurs in various LAC countries. Founders or collaborators, of different genders, in various types of industries, with ventures in different stages and with diverse geographic or market scope, agreed to participate voluntarily to share their experiences and opinions. From this exploration, which specifically focuses on analyzing the current situation of the participating people, we believe that it is possible to reflect what potentially affects a greater part of the ecosystem. This can help make visible the importance of serving it for those who are behind the ventures, but also for those who incubate, accelerate or invest in them. Helping to promote good practices, finance research and offer specialized support programs or tools to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region is essential. Understanding the moment the region is experiencing and seeking to strengthen the growth of the ecosystem, a new approach must be strategically promoted: if the entrepreneurs are doing well, the ventures will do better.

Wellbeing Rituals To Support Your Mental Health Wellbeing Rituals To Support Your Mental Health

Post By

The Wellbeing Project Team

Welcome to a world where mental health takes center stage, and every step forward is a cherished milestone on our wellbeing journey. As we commemorate Mental Health Action Day 2023, join us on a heartfelt exploration of our team’s daily rituals—a tapestry of unique paths that nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits. Witness the transformative power of self-care, inspiring you to embark on your own wellbeing journey towards resilience, purpose, and lasting joy:

Walking in nature, writing, reading books, inspiring quotes or poems, spending time with friends or family, and laughing!

I value knowing that I’m part of something bigger than myself, whether it be my purpose in life, the world that surrounds me, or part of a community like my friends or family.

– Alejandra Garza, Networks Advancement Manager

Connecting with nature.

Nature grounds me and reminds me that we are all interconnected . As I reflect on the beauty of the natural world I feel a sense of awe which allows me to understand that I am part of a bigger ecosystem and everything is they way it’s supposed to be. Only then I am able to let go, to surrender.

– Silvana Cisneros, Networks Lead

Activities that help me enter the flow state include listening to music, riding my motorcycle, going for a nature walk, chopping vegetables or cooking, pruning shrubs, enjoying a private moment with my comfort food, birdwatching and sitting out in the balcony looking at falling leaves. Additionally, conversations with friends and family in my innermost circle also play a significant role in helping me stay centered.

Engaging in flow-state activities allows me to focus on something other than the pressing problem, which frees my mind to concentrate on finding solutions in the background. This helps me mentally unwind and serves as a reminder that there is so much more to life than just the current situation I’m in. Conversations with my friends and family help me to think more clearly about dominant thoughts as they challenge me with provocative questions and different perspectives.

– Anubha Agarwal, Research & Learning Manager

Sleep well, eat healthy, manage money wisely, have meaningful relationships and be mindful as much as possible of every moment I am alive.

It helps me to tave a positive and optimistic attitude.

– Ricardo Paz, People & Culture Elder

Baking.

Baking allows me to focus my attention on the present moment. The process of measuring ingredients, following a recipe, and mixing them together requires concentration and mindfulness. It also engages multiple senses, including sight, smell, taste, and touch. The process of working with ingredients, observing the transformation in the oven, and savoring the final product can provide a sensory experience that is both pleasurable and stimulating.

Besides, I think baking is a form of creative expression that allows me to experiment with flavors, textures, and decorations. It provides a space to showcase my imagination and personal style. The act of creating something delicious and visually appealing can definitely boost my mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Finally enjoying homemade treats help me to evoke positive memories, evoke nostalgia, and provide a sense of emotional comfort.

– Fernanda Martínez, Networks Manager

For me it is important to recover energy: time for fun and sharing moments with family and friends, good sleep, yoga and meditation. Time spent in this way re-energizes me.

It helps me to take a positive and optimistic attitude.

– Valeria Peredo, People & Culture Lead

Weekly calls with my closest and dearest friends. They are usually not update calls, rather proper conversations, long, honest, fun at times, painful at others, the same I would have if we were leaving in the same place and see each other regularly. I think the most special aspect it’s that they have been weekly rituals for almost 15 years.

Long term friendship are an incredible gift because your friends are also your memory, your mirror, your diary. And you’re the same for them. You grow up, and old, together, sharing different live stages and milestone events. They are your net, your chosen family, you are never lonely, nor lost if you can count on such meaningful relationships, no matter what happens.

– Alessandra Gatti, The Wellbeing Summit Director

Meditation, contact with nature, physical activity, art, time with family, and friends.

It keeps my feet on the ground to bring down my head (mental activity) into my body and soul

– Eugenia Di Fiori, Organisational Exploratory Program Manager

5 minutes of morning meditation.

It helps me settle the energy for the day.

– Beatriz Retamar, Leadership Assistant

As we bring our exploration of daily wellbeing rituals to a close, we invite you to carry the torch of self-care and mental wellness forward. Let our stories serve as a reminder that your wellbeing journey is unique and deserving of celebration. Embrace the power of rituals that nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and surround yourself with a compassionate community that uplifts and supports you.

Remember, cultivating mental health is an ongoing process—a lifelong commitment to self-discovery and self-care. As we honor Mental Health Action Day 2023, let us ignite a collective spark, encouraging conversations and actions that prioritize mental wellbeing in all aspects of life.

Global Summit on Dance Movement Therapy for Change – Reflections Global Summit on Dance Movement Therapy for Change – Reflections

By: Anubha Agarwal , Research & Learning Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Date: January 2023

Last month I had the pleasure to represent The Wellbeing Project at the Fourth Biennial Global Summit on Dance Movement Therapy for Change in the eclectic and colorful city of Jaipur, Rajasthan in India.

The two-day event was co-hosted by Kolkata Sanved – a non-profit organization based in India promoting holistic well-being through Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) and Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL), Tata Institute of Social Sciences – a unit of the leading public research university in India.

The fourth biennale held on January 12-13th , 2023 in Jaipur was focused on exploring the role of DMT and other creative expressions in building our collective resilience for navigating a world that seems to be at a heightened risk of diminished ecological health and well-being. The 2023 Fourth Biennale DMT for Change was attended by a diverse global audience comprising of development sector professionals, including DMT practitioners, Creative Art Therapy (CAT) practitioners, social scientists and public health experts.

With a colorful mix of experiential sessions, workshops, panel discussions and art installations, the Summit events wove together seamlessly in a rich tapestry. While ecological well-being of planet Earth and the looming danger of the climate crisis was the dominant theme at the Summit, the event was peppered with participatory sessions and workshops employing music, visual arts and storytelling to express individual reflections.

That artistic underlying theme at the Summit was evident, when at the time of registration, each Summit attendee was offered an option to choose a handheld musical instrument ( displayed below ). I found it amusing to briefly fiddle with the wide range of percussion instruments and select one, even though the intended use was not entirely clear to me. It became clear in time as the attendees enthusiastically sounded the percussion tools to endorse a speaker or an idea, infusing fresh energy and cheerfulness into the Summit events in the process.

Before the Summit, I was unfamiliar with the role of dance movement therapy as a psycho-therapeutic healing practice. Even though it is commonly known that dancing releases mood-enhancing hormones in humans, I was curious to understand how DMT was different in terms of providing subsistence to trauma victims and survivors of violence in our communities.

While I was quite thrilled to avail an opportunity to experience DMT through an experiential workshop at the Summit, I was also mindful not to participate in the workshop with the possibly unfair expectation to fully imbibe the therapeutic benefits of dance movement therapy. Considering DMT is a therapy, it might need longer duration support and intervention, than joining in one hour and a half long session. Having personally experienced the de-stressing effect of many dance forms in the past despite having two left feet, I was looking forward to experiencing DMT first hand.

During the workshop, free flowing movements that came naturally to each one of us were encouraged, the underlying thought being that DMT is a safe space where in every individual is free to express themselves in the way they want. In line with this tenet, an unfamiliar yet intriguing section of the workshop encouraged each participant to imagine their physical body as a paint brush and to use their limbs and torso to paint a limitless, imaginary canvas. Shifting my mental lens to think of my physical form as a paint-brush took some getting used to but eventually the infectious energy of the workshop cohort took over.

I admit to feeling mentally relaxed and exhilarated post-workshop but still curious to understand how DMT could potentially serve as an antidote to counteract violence in our vulnerable communities. In a country like India, society norms can be quite restrictive of womens’ movement outside the society- or family-ordained ‘safe’ physical spaces, so I felt it would have been insightful to know how the DMT practice can support individuals in freely expressing their possibly repressed agency and take better care of their holistic well-being. In retrospect, I think hearing narratives from DMT practitioners who use DMT as a tool to navigate everyday threats to their physical and mental well-being, would have been of immense value in understanding the practice better.

It is entirely possible that such narratives may have already been shared in the past Summit editions, but as a first-time participant, I missed the absence of such narratives. I did get to interact with a couple of DMT practitioners who mentioned that the practice helps them cope with everyday stress and shift the lens on how they view their lives.

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One of the key learnings for me during the Summit was the reinforcement that approaches to enhance one’s well-being are quite individualized. Availing the opportunities to experience different expressive art forms at the Summit was a constant reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to well-being. An art therapy that might have a profound impact on one, might fail to put a dent on another individual’s well-being.

There is also the question of lack of funding to support well-being – the proverbial elephant in the room. However, until the world decided to acknowledge the presence of the aforementioned elephant and fully awaken to the mental health crisis we are in, one of the speakers at the Summit offered a slightly simpler solution to cope, “Art therapy is expensive… a good place to start is to start noticing what art tools you have easy access to at home such as fallen leaves, spices or other readily accessible elements of nature often overlooked. Art material could be taken from elements that are part of an individual’s environment or identity.”

The two-day DMT Summit for Change feels like a great step in the right direction as such gatherings help mainstream conversations on mental well-being and facilitate the oft-forgotten human connect. Overall, the two days left me feeling happier, joyous and craving for more opportunities to rekindle the deeper human connect, that often gets overlooked in our everyday lives, but that such events help us remember.

The reigning emotion for me at the end of the two-day art-based DMT for Change Summit and 2022 The Wellbeing Summit was that of HOPE. Hope for mental well-being taking center stage at a global level, specifically in cultures that in the aftermath of the pandemic are slowly opening up to talking about mental health and well-being.

David Feinstein

Innersource

Ashland, Oregon,
United States.

DAVID FEINSTEIN, Ph.D., is a pioneer in developing innovative therapeutic approaches, leading to nine national awards for his books on consciousness and healing. A licensed clinical psychologist, he has served as an Instructor in Psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Antioch College. He is a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, the U.S.A. Book News Best Psychology/Mental Health Book Award of 2007, the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP) Outstanding Contribution Award (2002, 2012), and the Canadian Association for Integrative and Energy Therapies’ 2015 Outstanding Leadership Award. David and Donna were honored by the Infinity Foundation as the first couple to receive its annual “Spirit Award” for their contribution to “the evolution of consciousness” and its “impact on society.”

To learn more about David’s work with energy psychology, visit www.EnergyPsychEd.com.

What does inner wellbeing mean to you?

Peace, clarity, and purpose.

How would you define wellbeing in one word?

Relationship.

Are there any rituals or practices you use to enhance your wellbeing?

Tuning inward, taking care of business, and prioritizing relationships.

Why is it important that we prioritize individual, organizational and societal wellbeing?

So the culture can thrive.

Do you have any favorite books, podcasts, or articles that you believe support, promote or educate on wellbeing and related themes?

Too many to mention, yet none are complete. The Harvard Study of Adult Development reveals a lot.

Eden Method's website

Reflections on the Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Carnival in Bangladesh, an event supported by The Wellbeing Project Reflections on the Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Carnival in Bangladesh, an event supported by The Wellbeing Project

“I felt privileged to have witnessed a seminal moment in the journey of Bangladesh as a nation, toward an era where wellbeing and mental health are acknowledged and prioritized”

By: Samuel Smith , Senior Community Manager at The Wellbeing Project

Date: October 2022

In November 2022 I had the pleasure of representing The Wellbeing Project at the inaugural edition of the Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Carnival at The University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Co-hosted by the Aachol Foundation and the Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation , the carnival brought together youth groups, media, education & health experts, as well as organizations working at the heart of campaigns relating to the development of youth wellbeing. Significantly, there were also government representatives present, as one of the objectives of the carnival was to influence the upcoming creation of a national mental health framework; the first policy of its kind in Bangladesh.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Dhaka, and I took a lot away from hearing the inspiring stories and experiences of those present. There is a fascinating vibrancy and energy that comes from a movement fronted by young people and students. Their enthusiasm, dynamism, and willingness to tackle difficult and sometimes daunting topics with a smile and laughter is truly infectious.

I felt privileged to have witnessed a seminal moment in the journey of Bangladesh as a nation, towards an era where wellbeing and mental health are recognized and prioritized. The impact of YMHWBC will be felt well beyond the borders of the university campus, and perhaps even beyond the borders of this beautiful south Asian country.

A personal thank you to Monira Rahmen for the invitation and for giving me the opportunity to contribute. I would also like to show my gratitude to Heal Bangladesh , Heroes For All , No Passport Voice , SAJIDA Foundation , Moner Bondhu and ADD International for taking the time to explain to me how their work is helping to foster a sense of wellbeing across a variety of sectors in Bangladesh and beyond.

TO MARK MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY, WE ASKED SOME MEMBERS OF THE WELLBEING COMMUNITY TO SHARE SOME ACTIONS THEY TAKE TO PRIORITISE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. TO MARK MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY, WE ASKED SOME MEMBERS OF THE WELLBEING COMMUNITY TO SHARE SOME ACTIONS THEY TAKE TO PRIORITISE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

I realised that if I wanted to regain my mental health I must unlearn denial of anger.

“Depression is anger turned inwards” – my Psychiatrist.

Like many people, particularly women, I grew up believing I should never be angry. Various influences taught me that it is bad to be an angry woman — she is ugly, untrustworthy, and unhealthy. I became expert at denying myself anything resembling anger, avoiding conflict, taking responsibility for maintaining harmony, and never having a strong opinion.

At 33, I experienced a profound loss that triggered a major depressive breakdown. Sitting in front of my psychiatrist week after week, I gradually began to understand his statement. Anger is an essential step in the grieving process, but because I couldn’t allow myself to even acknowledge anger I wasn’t able to grieve and move on from my loss. Over the years, a repressive toxicity collected inside me, condensed over decades, and had finally imploded. I was pulled into a blackhole of depression where my ability to feel anything was gone. All that existed was a robotic sense of nothingness. I was trapped in the vacuum of depression for 13 months.

I became expert at denying myself anything resembling anger, avoiding conflict, taking responsibility for maintaining harmony, and never having a strong opinion.

Several years later, I’ve experienced several different types of grief including the loss of: a belief system, people I’ve loved, faith in those I’ve trusted, an organisation and team I co-created, a perception of my identity and contribution in the world. With each loss the invasive thoughts of depression and anxiety attacks have resurfaced.

While I’m still terrified of depression and what it takes away from me each time, the length of my episodes have decreased as I’ve gathered tools that increase my awareness of when I’m repressing anger and skills to redirect the process towards allowing myself to feel and work through it.

The journey is often one step forward and two steps back as I clumsily learn to explore expressions of anger. But I’m making messy progress.

Tools that help me realise I’m repressing anger :

Weekly Therapy: Being completely honest with my psychologist about my symptoms and thoughts.
Keeping a list of my cognitive biases and unhelpful assumptions that I can refer to and ask myself if I am unwittingly applying them. A few example: I must never show anger; I must always improve a situation; I must not be a burden to others).
Let others around me know what signals to look for and how to gently ask me if that might be what’s happening when they notice those signals.
Dream analysis with my psychologist or psychiatrist.
Time in nature to allow space for subconscious thoughts to rise to consciousness.

Skills I use to redirect myself towards working through anger:

Saying out loud to someone I can trust, ‘I’m angry–here’s why…’.
Writing about why I might be angry and why I might be repressing that reaction.
Gradual exposure therapy exercises set by my psychologist.
Reading about why it’s not unusual to repress anger and the benefits of unlearning it (the book, Rage Becomes Her was a great example of this).
Meditation focused on awareness and acceptance of anger.
Controlled destruction (I went to a smash room on one occasion; took a hammer to a watermelon in my back garden on another).
Finding those who understand the type of situation that made me angry and discussing to gauge if anger seems to be a normal or appropriate response.
Asking others what their strategies are for appropriately and healthily acknowledging, expressing, and processing anger.

My hope is to eventually feel comfortable in acknowledging, experiencing, and expressing anger in a way I’m confident is productive and appropriate —regardless of what other people think. Because what could be more beautiful, honest, and healthy than being able to embrace the entire emotional spectrum of the very human condition of love and loss.

Bio

Jessamyn Shams-Lau was previously co-CEO of the Peery Foundation, where she implements and advocates for grantee-centric philanthropy, aiming to minimize the power dynamic inherent to grant-making. She is creator of Do Good Better, a university curriculum for social change leaders, and co-wrote and illustrated the book Unicorns Unite: How Nonprofits and Foundations Can Build EPIC Partnerships with Jane Leu and Vu Le.