Write about a terrible experience until you find value in having gone through it. Then you will appreciate every dark hour. -Jan Marquart
In the Philippines, October is the Mental Health Awareness Month and to help the community in a way I decided to search for a resource person to assist us in conducting a webinar relating to mental health.
I had been a member of multiple support groups that relates to Psychology, Depression, and other mental-related concerns and at times been conducting some small talks relating to coping with anxiety, our church had trained us in a way, and given my Psych background I think I am able to give a little support ( perhaps not 100% sure).
What Made Me Decide to Conduct a Webinar
In a talk with @jude.villarta about our recording for the podcast episode she mentioned that speaking up about her experience helped her in a way to release some emotions that were not tapped previously and she was looking forward to such events to happen in the future. Also @romeskie asked if we can have a virtual kamustahan to check with other people as some are just not at ease of laying what they are going through unless asked by people.
My journey in searching for a resource speaker led to a Facebook page called The Wounded Healer - Mental Health Advocate-Speaker.
You can click the image above to be routed on her Facebook Page
She is a registered Psychometrician which hits the first requirement but more than that, her advocacy is to make mental health support accessible, friendly, and safe.
Talking about mental health issues is still taboo here in the country and people who manifest signs are deemed as out of the norm. Often judged and isolated they tend to keep things for themselves and seeking help is one thing that most will avoid.
Aside from that requirement, she also maintains a personal blog that is under the same name on Wordpress.com, the majority of the members of Hiveph are bloggers so there's a certain connection that is already there as she can relate to the life of being a content creator such as us. Plus it would be a great opportunity if she will be added to the Hive blockchain community. I do plan to onboard her in the future and discuss Hive too but that can wait.
Why The Power of Writing in Healing?
When I opened the idea to the Hiveph community about the webinar and asked for possible topics that they want to be covered in an hour and a half webinar they gave some suggestions such as the following:
- Coping up with stress and depression.
- Emptiness
- Healing inner emotions
- Recovering from trauma
- Anxiety Disorder.
- Mental burnout
Then after giving the ideas, I was presented with 3 titles that I can choose
- Facing Mental Health Blocks: Stress and How to Cope
- Stressing Out About Stress: A Guide to Better Coping
- The Power of Writing in Healing
It was a no-brainer for me to choose the last one as we are all bloggers here thus being empowered that writing stuff can be a way to help them heal on some of the bandages we have it will be a great initiative plus if the contents will be added on the blockchain it may create more engagement and probably gather some people who want to be part of the blockchain too!
How to Join the Webinar and Who Can Join?
Since the target audience first is the Hiveph community, I decided to have it on the HivePH discord server but this event is not exclusive only to the members of Hiveph as anyone that will join the server as long as they are Filipino can join the said webinar on October 1st.
An account with Hive is not needed but hopefully, if the attendee doesn't have one they will be encouraged to have one as Hive has been a great platform for everyone plus there's a chance to get monetized on their content!
What Should The Attendees Expect in the Program?
- 1-hour talk about mental health
- Check-in activity
- Guided meditation
- 1 reflection/writing activity related to self-care
Should there will be questions about the webinar you can simply send me a message either in the comment box. Via discord or even you may reach me on my Facebook Page looking forward to your attendance and please share this event to your friends too or someone that you think will benefit from the said event!