In lieu of the mental health awareness month and its theme “Look Around, Look Within” , we are taking it up on its offer to reflect, engage and remind ourselves the importance of mental well-being- not just individually but collectively. While we often think of awareness through the lens of campaigns, or therapy, or a social media post, we’ve noticed that the most impactful lessons about mental health come from listening. 

As an organization aimed at supporting mental wellness, we are fortunate enough to have run workshops for a variety of age groups and individuals in different jobs and roles, from intrigued teenagers to wise older adults, working class citizens to emotional caregivers. Each and every time we walked away with something we didn’t expect.

EAGERNESS TO LEARN

We often conduct workshops for older adults on topics such as enhancing cognitive vitality, learning the use of technology and communication. We went in thinking we would be the teachers- we were wrong in assuming that, a lot of times!

These older adults not only arrived with notebooks and a list of questions planned beforehand, but with eagerness. Honestly, this is their time, having been lived through entire eras of change, they could have shrugged off the effort. But instead, they arrived with curiosity, humility and willingness to embrace learning. 

It made us pause.. and reflect!

Because while we, the younger generation, often complain about burnout, overwhelm, or “not having the time,” here were adults in their 70s and 80s that were welcoming learning like it was their new beginning. Their enthusiasm was a lesson all in itself; it is never too late to grow, and that mental vitality isn’t just about brain games- it’s about attitude, connection and showing up with heart. 

MAINTAINING BONDS

In one of our workshops with young adults, we focused on friendship and we created an opportunity for participants to express what friendship means to them. About halfway through, a participant started to cry. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to feel how much she missed her friend whom she had not seen because of distance. Something cracked open in the room, and in us.

We remembered that friendships are not simply “fun,” or “social” relationships. They are emotional anchors. They have history, joy and comfort. And when those relationships fade, sometimes because of distance, sometimes because of time, that ache is real.

When we set out to facilitate a relationship workshop for young people (16-20 years) we thought that there may be somewhat typical discussions around crushes, dating and breakups. And yet, most of their challenges extended to their relationships with their parents, wanting to work on them and grow them stronger.

In a world that glorifies independence and encourages cutting off “toxic” ties, it was incredibly grounding to see young people wanting to fix what was broken at home. It reminded us that romantic relationships aren’t the only ones shaping young minds. 

TAKING THE EDGE OFF

One of the most grounding experiences we have had was a workshop we facilitated with working people. These folks have long days, a myriad of responsibilities and limited resources. And yet, when we asked them what they wanted most out of the session, they said: “we want to learn how to manage stress.” Not necessarily how to be more productive. Not how to earn more money but how to breathe, slow down and cope!

It struck us hard. Because many of us often look at stress management as the last resort. But mental peace is a need, not a want. 

CONCLUSION

From elders teaching us about lifelong learning, to teens working on repairing family dynamics from emotional depictions of friendships, to workers just wanting to find some peace- our community has truly held a mirror up to what mental health really looks like in day-to-day lives.

It isn’t always clinical. It isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s a quiet inquiry, a tear shed in a workshop or an outside conversation that goes on long after the workshop is finished!

The most important learning we gathered was that:

Healing happens when we come together, create safe spaces, stop assuming and begin listening. So thank you- to anyone who participated and contributed, anyone who asked questions, anyone who shared stories. You have not only made us better facilitators- you have made us better humans!In lieu of the mental health awareness month and its theme “Look Around, Look Within” , we are taking it up on its offer to reflect, engage and remind ourselves the importance of mental well-being- not just individually but collectively. While we often think of awareness through the lens of campaigns, or therapy, or a social media post, we’ve noticed that the most impactful lessons about mental health come from listening. 

As an organization aimed at supporting mental wellness, we are fortunate enough to have run workshops for a variety of age groups and individuals in different jobs and roles, from intrigued teenagers to wise older adults, working class citizens to emotional caregivers. Each and every time we walked away with something we didn’t expect.