Mental Health Awareness Month!
Highlights:
Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Month
May marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month. Join us as we explore various facets of mental wellness and provide resources to support your journey.
Where to Start: A Journey Towards Mental Wellness
Discover practical steps to begin your path to mental wellness. This guide offers clear strategies to help you take the first step towards improved mental health.
Be Aware About Your Mental Wellbeing: A Guide to Self-Care
Self-care is essential for maintaining mental health. Our latest guide provides straightforward tips for integrating self-care practices into your daily routine.
The Impact of Anxiety on Daily Life
Anxiety can significantly affect day-to-day activities. Learn about its impact and find effective methods to manage and reduce anxiety.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Gain a deeper understanding of PTSD, its symptoms, and the available treatments. This article aims to provide valuable insights for those affected by PTSD.
Overcoming Stigma and Seeking Help for Mental Health
Stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help. Read about ways to overcome this barrier and access the support you need.
Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2024
Join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week. Recognize the invaluable contributions of volunteers and learn how you can get involved.
The Benefits of Volunteering: Improving Your Mental and Physical Health
Volunteering offers numerous benefits, including enhanced mental and physical health. Explore how giving back can positively impact your well-being.
Youth Volunteering: Starting Early to Build a Lifetime of Giving Back
Encouraging youth to volunteer can instill a lifelong commitment to community service. Discover the advantages of starting early in life.
Towards a Happier Life with Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. Learn simple methods to cultivate gratitude daily.
Negative to Positive – Train Your Brain: A Global Youth Mental Health Awareness
Transform negative thoughts into positive ones with practical exercises designed for young people. This initiative aims to improve global youth mental health.
Best Volunteer of the Month
Celebrate our outstanding volunteer of the month. Their dedication and hard work make a significant difference in our community.
Volunteering Opportunities at the GYMHA
Explore current volunteering opportunities with the Global Youth Mental Health Awareness (GYMHA) Inc. Your involvement can make a meaningful impact.
Global Fully Funded Scholarship
Learn about a global fully funded scholarship program, providing opportunities for global youth to further their education.
Global Youth Investors Program
Our Global Youth Investors Program offers young people the chance to gain valuable investment skills and knowledge. Find out how to apply.
Stay informed and engaged with these top stories and more in our May 2024 newsletter.
Together for Mental Health Awareness Month
Dear GYMHA Community,
We would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your dedication to mental health awareness and advocacy. Your unwavering support and commitment are the driving force behind our collective efforts to foster understanding, compassion, and resilience within our community.
May not only marks the beginning of spring in most places all around the world, but it also signifies the start of Mental Health Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting mental wellness for all. Throughout this month, we will come together to celebrate the strength of the human spirit, honor the courage of individuals navigating their mental health journeys, and amplify our voices in support of those in need.
As we embark on this journey, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the power of community, the importance of self-care, and the transformative impact of compassion. Together, we can create meaningful change, uplift one another, and build a world where mental health is prioritized and supported.
Thank you for being a beacon of hope, resilience, and kindness in our community. Your dedication inspires us every day, and together, we will continue to shine a light on mental health and spread hope to all those who need it most.
With gratitude and optimism,
GYMHA Newsletter Team
Read More
The Impact of Anxiety on Daily Life
By J. Ediae
Anxiety is a prevalent mental health condition that can significantly impact various aspects of daily life. This article will explore the ways in which anxiety affects individuals and offer insights into managing these challenges effectively.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. It is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes excessive, it can lead to an anxiety disorder.
Common Symptoms
Individuals with anxiety may experience a range of symptoms including:
- Physical Symptoms: Increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, fatigue.
- Emotional Symptoms: Feelings of panic, dread, or unease.
- Cognitive Symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, and excessive worrying.
- Behavioral Symptoms: Avoidance of triggering situations, restlessness, and changes in sleep patterns.
Read More
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
By J. Ediae
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that arises after an individual has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. These events can include, but are not limited to, combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, and other life-threatening situations. This blog post aims to provide an overview of PTSD, covering its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. We will also emphasize the importance of seeking professional help for those affected by PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD manifests through a range of symptoms that can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. The symptoms are categorized into four main types:
- Intrusive Thoughts: Individuals may experience recurrent, involuntary memories, distressing dreams, or flashbacks of traumatic events.
- Avoidance: Efforts to avoid reminders of the trauma, such as avoiding certain places, people, or activities that trigger memories of the event.
Read More
Overcoming Stigma and Seeking Help for Mental Health
By J. Ediae
Despite significant advancements in understanding mental health, stigma remains a formidable barrier that prevents many individuals from seeking the help they need. This blog post addresses the stigma surrounding mental health and underscores the importance of seeking support. Additionally, we provide resources to help individuals access professional assistance and support.
The Reality of Mental Health Stigma
Stigma surrounding mental health can manifest in various forms, including social stigma, self-stigma, and institutional stigma. Social stigma involves negative stereotypes and prejudices from society, leading to discrimination against those with mental health issues. Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize these societal prejudices, resulting in feelings of shame and reduced self-worth. Institutional stigma refers to policies within organizations or governments that disadvantage individuals with mental health conditions.
The Importance of Seeking Support
Addressing mental health issues is critical for overall well-being and quality of life. Ignoring symptoms or delaying treatment can lead to more severe health problems, both mental and physical. Here are several reasons why seeking support is crucial:
Read More
Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2024
It’s National Volunteer Week (NVW), Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, taking place from May 20 – 26, 2024. This event honors the significant contributions volunteers make to our communities.
This year’s theme, ‘Something for Everyone,’ recognizes the diverse skills and interests that volunteers bring to their roles. We extend our gratitude to all GYMHA volunteers for their dedication and hard work.
We encourage everyone to share their volunteer stories on social media. Your experiences can inspire others to find their own unique way to contribute. Thank you for making a difference.
The Benefits of Volunteering: Improving Your Mental and Physical Health
By J. Ediae
Volunteering is often seen as a noble act of giving back to the community. However, beyond the immediate benefits to society, volunteering can significantly improve your mental and physical health. Here, we explore the key advantages that volunteering can offer.
Mental Health Benefits
Reducing Stress
Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress levels. Engaging in meaningful activities can divert your mind from daily pressures and create a sense of purpose. This shift in focus can lead to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone.
Improving Mood
Regular participation in volunteer activities can enhance your mood. Helping others releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters. Studies indicate that people who volunteer frequently report feeling happier and more satisfied with their lives.
Read More
Youth Volunteering: Starting Early to Build a Lifetime of Giving Back
By J. Ediae
Introduction
Volunteering offers numerous benefits for young individuals, extending beyond the immediate impact on communities. This blog post discusses the advantages of youth volunteerism and provides practical resources and ideas for young people to get involved in their communities.
Benefits of Youth Volunteerism
Building Character
Volunteering from a young age fosters the development of essential character traits. These include responsibility, reliability, and integrity. Participation in volunteer activities encourages accountability and helps youths understand the importance of their contributions.
Cultivating Compassion
Exposure to diverse social issues through volunteer work cultivates empathy and compassion. Youths gain insights into different life experiences and challenges, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of others’ situations.
Read More
Towards a Happier life with Gratitude
Gratitude is a positive feeling. It is much beyond being grateful to others or saying thank you. We show gratitude to those who have done something good for us. For some, showing gratitude is limited only when you get a gift. On some occasions, gratitude is a required gesture but most of the time gratitude is a feeling that comes naturally to us. Expressing gratitude is an admirable attitude. It has a lot of benefits for our mental, physical, and emotional health. Here are a few benefits that gratitude can bring to your life:
It helps you make friends, have a good relationship with acquaintances, and build long-lasting relationships with others. It helps in increasing social support. You tend to have better relationships in family and society. You develop trust and confidence with people around you. These strong relationships are your supporters in stressful situations and help to manage stress.
- It makes you more optimistic and helps to develop spiritualism. It teaches you to become givers rather than accepters. This behavior indicates reduced materialism.
- Gratitude at the workplace can be beneficial for the employee and employers. It improves decision-making and reduces impatience due to which we find meaning in our work. It thus helps to reduce work-related stress.
- Gratitude can help in improving your physical health too. It reduces depressive symptoms and blood pressure. It will enhance exercise frequency and sleep.
- Grateful People possess a quality of appreciating others for their accomplishments. This helps in enhancing your self-esteem.
- Grateful people have better physiological health. They enjoy higher wellbeing and happiness and therefore show reduced symptoms of depression.
- Gratitude makes you more empathetic. It therefore reduces aggression. Grateful people are less likely to take revenge against others and behave with sensitivity and empathy.
- Gratitude improves your mental strength too. Gratefulness makes you resilient. This helps to overcome trauma and recover from depression.
- Gratitude is powerful. A regular practice of being grateful can have several positive benefits. It can be implemented easily in our daily life. It is one of the easiest and inexpensive methods to spread happiness and optimism. So, learn to be grateful. Express gratitude for everyone around you because you never know how far little gratitude can reach.
Dr. Anjum Nazir Qureshi,
Assistant Professor,
Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering Research & Technology, Chandrapur, India.
Negative to Positive – Train Your Brain: A Global Youth Mental Health Awareness
By Sahib T
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, young people are bombarded with stressors that previous generations could scarcely imagine. From academic pressures to social media comparisons, the mental health of youth worldwide is increasingly at risk. However, there’s a powerful tool that young people can harness to combat these challenges: the ability to train their brains to shift from negative to positive thinking. Adopting cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices and fostering supportive environments can help the youth develop resilience and a more positive outlook on life.
Understanding the Challenge:
Youth mental health is a growing concern globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds. These statistics underscore the urgent need for effective mental health strategies that can be implemented across diverse cultures and communities.
Read More
Best Volunteer of the Month
Dear Grace,
On behalf of the entire team at GYMHA, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable work and exceptional support as our Project Support Officer. Your hard work and dedication to our organization have not gone unnoticed, and we are proud to recognize you as the best volunteer of the month for April 2024.
Your efforts have been essential to our success, and we are truly fortunate to have you as a member of our team. Your attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond your duties have played a vital role in the smooth operation and success of our projects. Your positive attitude and commitment to excellence have also inspired us all, and we look forward to continuing to work with you moving forward.
Your contributions to our organization are immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for all that you have done. Your hard work, dedication, and volunteer spirit serve as an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to have you as a part of our team.
Once again, thank you for your outstanding work, and congratulations on being recognized as the volunteer of the month for April 2024. We look forward to working with you in the future and know that your continued efforts will only lead to greater success.
Sincerely,
GYMHA CEO
Best Volunteer of the Month
Dear Erebi, Clever Bomiegha,
On behalf of the entire team at GYMHA, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable work and exceptional support as our Project Support Officer. Your hard work and dedication to our organization have not gone unnoticed, and we are proud to recognize you as the best volunteer of the month for May 2024.
Your efforts have been essential to our success, and we are truly fortunate to have you as a member of our team. Your attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond your duties have played a vital role in the smooth operation and success of our projects. Your positive attitude and commitment to excellence have also inspired us all, and we look forward to continuing to work with you moving forward.
Your contributions to our organization are immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for all that you have done. Your hard work, dedication, and volunteer spirit serve as an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to have you as a part of our team.
Once again, thank you for your outstanding work, and congratulations on being recognized as the volunteer of the month for May 2024. We look forward to working with you in the future and know that your continued efforts will only lead to greater success.
Sincerely,
GYMHA CEO
Upcoming Event:
GYMHA Mind Matters Talk Show
Hello Everyone,
We are thrilled to announce the Ninth GYMHA Mind Matters Talk Show episode, designed to captivate and stimulate your mind.
Theme: 5 Ways to Tackle Youth Mental Health Issues
Date: Thursday, 23rd of May 2024
Time: 7:00 pm Nigeria, 8:00 pm Zimbabwe, 1:00 pm Dallas USA
Join us: https://www.facebook.com/gymha4real?mibextid=ZbWKwL or @gymha4real
Panelists:
- Mary Ozuruonye Agholor (Ronye) – Moderator
Registered Nurse/health consultant, Public Speaker, OAP, MC, Actress, Show host and GYMHA Special Board Advisor
- Mohd Zuber
Assistant Professor, Special Education (Learning Disability), Faculty of Education
Jamia Millia Islamia (A central University), New Delhi India.
- Nur Ahmed
GYMHA Ambassador and event coordinator
- Nihid Raza
School Principal, Motivational Speaker and Columnist
Hope you can join us!
For any enquiries, please email jude@gymha.org
Global Youth Investors Program
JOIN OUR FREE PROGRAM 🌎
At Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation (GGAF) we believe in investing in our younger generations as they are our future leaders.
hashtag#GGAF Global Youth Investors Program: June 1, 2024, Cohort 🌎
“Empowering Future Leaders to Invest in Themselves and Their Communities”
Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation (GGAF) eempowers young adults aged 18-25 to enhance their impact in humanitarian work. Our mission is to inspire and guide participants in understanding the importance of community service and meaningful contributions.
🌐 Who Should Apply:
• Young adults involved in or interested in humanitarian work.
• Volunteers, students, or emerging professionals.
🌐 programm Highlights:
• Interactive Zoom Sessions: Learn from experienced humanitarian leaders and peers.
• GGAF Learning Institute Courses: Covering principles of humanitarian work, community engagement, and sustainable change strategies.
🌐 Outcome:
Gain valuable knowledge, skills, and a network to become proactive changemakers in your communities and beyond.
Join GGAF and embark on a transformative journey towards a better, more compassionate world. Becoming a hashtag#GGAF Global Youth Investor will
transform your passion into action. You’ll develop skills to propel your humanitarian care and become a member of community change-makers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be a catalyst for change. Join the hashtag#GGAF Global Youth Investors Program and embark on a journey of growth, learning, and impact!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: https://www.globalgoodwillambassadors.org/ggaf-global-youth-investors-program
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Comprehensive Training: Dive into an immersive curriculum that covers critical topics including community development, sustainable solutions, and the effects of climate change.
THIS PROGRAM WILL GIVE YOU:
✳ Hands-On Experience
✳ Global Networking
✳ Expert Mentorship
✳ Leadership Development
Don’t miss this opportunity! We are accepting applications now until May 28th for students and also mentors.
Student Application: https://lnkd.in/gRhpWdPa
Mentor Application
https://lnkd.in/gbmpAzae
Past Event: Mindful Moments with GYMHA Twitter Show
Hello everyone!
We’re thrilled to invite you to our Fourth episode of Mindful Moments with GYMHA Twitter Show.
Theme: Finding Balance: Nurturing Mental Health in a Busy World.
Date: Monday, 6th of May 2024
Time: 8pm Nigeria, 2:00pm Dallas, USA
Watch the recording here: https://x.com/i/spaces/1yoJMwEMamwKQ
Facilitator: Lawal Merit Ifeoma
Content Creator and Founder at Alpha Girls, GYMHA Board Member, Ambassador and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
Guest Speaker: Ibukun Cardoso
Voice Over Artist, Script Writer and Transcriptionist.
We look forward to seeing you at our next show.
For more information, please inbox jude@gymha.org
Volunteering Opportunities at the Global Youth Mental Health Awareness
Volunteering Opportunities with Global Youth Mental Health Awareness
Location: Online/Virtual Meeting
Overview:
Global Youth Mental Health Awareness (GYMHA) Incorporated is a charitable organization established in Australia since 2019, is dedicated to fostering a culture of kindness and empathy through global mental health awareness initiatives. Our mission is to provide individuals with valuable resources to enhance resilience, forge meaningful connections, and empower them to lead a life of greater well-being. Through promoting acts of kindness, we believe in fostering positive experiences that contribute to personal growth and well-being.
Description:
Are you a passionate, self-motivated individual, social worker, or expert looking to make a positive impact globally? Join our remarkable team at GYMHA as a volunteer. Volunteers play a crucial role in conducting research, creating content, and sharing presentations on social platforms to raise awareness and establish relationships with partners and sponsors worldwide.
Eligibility:
- Passion for helping others and social causes
- Positive attitude, commitment, and reliability
- Age requirement: 18 years and above
- Proficiency in graphic design and content writing is advantageous
- Experience in mental health research and advocacy
Volunteering Benefits:
- Access to free training, sponsorships, and certificates
- Engagement with the global community
- Networking opportunities with mental health professionals and experts
- International recommendations and more
We invite individuals from around the world to join our team dedicated to promoting children and youth mental health through positive initiatives.
For inquiries, sponsorships, partnerships, and registrations, visit www.gymha.org. Alternatively, send your application/CV via WhatsApp at +61481857086 or email jude@gymha.org.
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2024.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
Signed: GYMHA Leadership Team
Global News, Fully Funded Scholarship and Important Links
Empowering Young Leaders: One Young World | Pernod Ricard Scholarship (Fully Funded)
https://www.oneyoungworld.com/scholarships/pernod-ricard/2024
Newcastle University Scholarships in UK 2024 [Fully Funded] | Study in UK on Scholarship
- Deadline Date: 30th May 2024
Apply Now: Newcastle University Scholarship
🌎 Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme in Human Rights Policy and Practice
Apply Now: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
🔗 More Information: University of Exeter Scholarship
🌟 Harvard University MBA Scholarship 2025
- Benefits: USD 102,200 grant, International internship, Accommodation and food covered
- Deadline: May 31, 2025
🔗 Link to Application: Harvard MBA Scholarship
Volunteer Engagement Case Studies
https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/vma-resources/
Free professional development training
https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/professional-development/training-and-workshops/
Giving up alcohol? Here’s how to pause the habit
Mental Health Mentoring Program 2024 – Cohort 2
https://www.vha.org.au/eventdetails/21348/mental-health-mentoring-program-2024-cohort-2
GYMHA Emotional Detoxification Course
For enrollment and support, please email jude@gymha.org.
Book for your GYMHA Emotional Intelligence online course-
https://gymha-school.teachable.com/courses/emotionalintelligence/lectures/39537275
Lifeline’s crisis text service goes 24/7 to help more Australians
Book here for your Psychological first aid training: https://gymha.org/?p=5295
GYMHA membership – https://gymha.org/?page_id=2977
Psychological First Aid Training
Course: https://youtu.be/NPGeqyrc8do
Workplace mental health: https://youtu.be/yq4c2gQhoIQ
Special thanks to our writers, editors, and all our amazing contributors.
We would love for you to connect with us:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Global-Youth-Mental-HealthAwareness-GYMHA-318074815739705/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gymha2020?igshid=24c0tna6rbte
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GGymha
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalyouth4real
Website: www.globalyouthmentalhealthawareness.org
YouTube
channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQwrExehjRgmYgQcMBkQWUw
For any enquiries, please inbox jude@gymha.org
About Us:
Global Youth Mental Health Awareness (GYMHA) Incorporated Not-For-Profit, Australian registered health promotion charity was launched in the year 2019 in response to the growing need to communicate and engage with professionals and the youth of the community, to the issues associated with Youth Mental Health and the stigma associated with those individuals who may seek help.
Let’s Meditate with Sharada and Tony
https://www.youtube.com/live/yoQ0u7wJr-8?si=jKKm_Xb-tr6tGHi_
Wellbeing Reconnection Foundation invites you to join a blissful Let’s Meditate hosted by Sharada and Tony