mental health

On November 19th, we can recognize International Men’s Day as a time to emphasize the importance of men’s well-being. This day was first created in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh to honor his father’s passing. Men’s issues are not one size fits all, and there are many different paths for how to show up as a man in this world. International Men’s day is meant to highlight…

• the mental and physical social issues faced by men 
• the role that men can play as active parents
• men as positive agents of change in society; role modelling inclusive behaviors

International Men’s Day is also a great opportunity to focus on gender equality. We can all do our part to inspire togetherness by empathizing and understanding another person’s point of view. 

We can continue to encourage those in our community to the values, character, and responsibilities we all can carry when wanting to make a change. Together, we can work toward strengthening our relationships and supporting one another. 

This is a chance for us to lead by example and make impactful contributions. To learn more, we can watch videos, attend events, and recognize those in our community who are making a difference for the better. 

“We can work together for a better world with men and women of goodwill.” – Wangari Maathai

Check out the resources below to learn more. 

International Men’s Day

History Of International Men’s Day

Six Objectives Of International Men’s Day

Why International Men’s Day Is Important For Inclusive Cultures

As the year is coming to a close, we can reflect on the connections and relationships we’ve made – new and old. 

It’s also a great time to build deeper connections with the people in our lives or reach out to those we haven’t seen in a while. 

After all, there is power in togetherness. We can inspire more of it in our daily lives by participating in community activities, openly sharing with others, and checking in on loved ones.

Be Mindful

We can be more mindful in our every day with purposeful communication. This comes from actively listening, talking openly, and thinking about how we connect with the other person. 

When we spread mutual respect and caring, it inspires others to do the same. 

Value Time

Cherishing the time we spend with others means focusing on the here and now. We can shift our mindset to the present moment and savor the time we are able to share with peers, family, or friends. 

Living each moment intentionally allows us to value our time together.

Get Involved

Community building can come from doing activities together. Volunteering, participating in clubs, or spending time in a group setting can bring us closer together with the people around us.

Getting involved allows us to meet new people or spend more time with those we value in our lives. 

For more tips, check out the resources below.

Bringing People Together

7 Ways to Be More Inclusive in Your Everyday Life 

How to Bring People Together When Events Push Them Apart

By: Hailey Sullivan

Substance abuse continues to affect many lives. In the United States alone, 13.5% of the population was found to have overused drugs sometime in 2020. Meanwhile, at least 28.320 million Americans are dealing with alcoholism.

The common response to this is providing medical treatment. However, substance abuse is a problem that concerns not just the individual but the community. Others can be affected by living with someone diagnosed with substance abuse disorder (SUD). A 2017 report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled “Children Living With Parents Who Have A Substance Use Disorder” supports this with a finding that parents with SUD are highly likely to neglect or abuse their children. Even more concerning is that the children are also predisposed to SUD, affecting future generations.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for substance abuse. Keep reading to understand why and how substance abuse is both a mental and social problem.

How is substance abuse a mental disorder?

SUD is characterized by the unrestrained use of prescription or illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks, as well as risky behavior like driving under the influence. This is because SUD alters an individual’s brain chemistry, resulting in poor judgment and impaired functioning in everyday life. To add to that, SUD patients may also be diagnosed with another mental disorder since both can be caused by similar genetics or environmental stressors.

These underscore the importance of mental health treatment for substance abuse. We discussed this in our article about the month celebrating mental health and addiction recovery. Even more importantly, we underscore that recovery should not be for the individual alone, but also the family and the community.

Why is substance abuse a social issue?

Substance abuse merits being called a social issue as SUD-caused poor judgment may affect the economic stability of an individual and their family. A 2022 study published in Clinical Therapeutics titled “The Drug Abuse Scourge and Food Insecurity: Outlining Effective Responses for an Underestimated Problem” stipulates that 70% of diagnosed addiction cases are correlated with food insecurity. Individuals with SUD are uninhibited from spending family money on obtaining substances. It was also previously mentioned that households affected by substance abuse often result in child neglect and abuse. Such cases may result in a child’s separation from their family, which spurs more social issues.

While a medical approach treats the ailments of substance abuse, a social approach deals with causes and effects beyond the individual. Doing so can help prevent substance abuse. As such, it is important to address substance abuse both as a medical and social problem.

What is being done to address substance abuse as a mental and social issue?

Conventional and research-backed treatments for substance abuse include detoxification. This aims to manage withdrawal symptoms as substances are kept away from the affected individual. There’s also the option of long-term stay rehabilitation centers, where those experiencing SUD can receive 24/7 support in following a structured treatment plan by specialists trained in clinical psychology. These experts are trained to diagnose and propose research-backed interventions based on observations of human behavior.

When it comes to dealing with substance abuse as a social issue, efforts are led by probation or correctional specialists. These professionals’ careers are backed in forensic psychology, equipping them with the critical thinking skills and perceptiveness necessary to create appropriate rehabilitation or transition plans. These plans carefully factor in the circumstances, preferences, and needs of each individual seeking support.

Beyond treatment and rehabilitation, concerned actors are currently looking to formulate effective, preventive solutions. incorporating substance abuse prevention into the educational curriculum alongside related efforts.

Substance abuse is an issue that concerns both the individual and society. A multidimensional overview of SUD’s medical and social aspects emphasizes that for long-term change, treatment must be accompanied by social initiatives.

On October 10th, we can recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor their history and culture. 

This day was first known as Columbus Day, but in 1992, it became Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a sign of protest. The idea was first introduced in 1977 when the United Nations held a conference to address the discrimination against Native Americans, and it has shaped the day into what we know it to be now. 

Many remember the past 500 years of colonization that have led to the pain and trauma of Indigenous peoples’. 

According to Van Heuvelen from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, “It can be a day of reflection of our history in the United States, the role Native people have played in it, the impacts that history has had on Native people and communities, and also a day to gain some understanding of the diversity of Indigenous peoples.” 

As a community, we can take the time to read Indigenous literature, attend events, and watch relevant movies. Check out the resources below for more. 

What Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Ideas to Honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2022

Rethinking How We Celebrate American History—Indigenous Peoples’ Day