Today’s show is about the impacts of social exclusion on mental health and why diversity should be celebrated. I will discuss the toll of exclusion on the grounds of race and of gender. One of the ways I propose in which we may be more socially inclusive, is by refusing to “other” another due to feeling threatened by another’s differences. 

Instead, if we hold an unshakeable self-belief, nothing can threaten us. I suggest ways in which we may all build self-belief. These include finding out what we are good at by taking the DiSC Test, eliminating negative behaviours we identify in ourselves, certain alternative behaviours to those we may currently have, our postural tendencies, and how by being successful we can gain self-belief. 

Finally, I talk about how to deal with social exclusion if you find yourself on the receiving end of it. Some of these methods include having a mental health check-in buddy, keeping showing up, building resilience, leaning on support groups and having practices that help us to remain calm in the face of exclusion and discrimination. 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
The Wellness Center, Cayman Islands: https://wellnesscentre.ky             
David Mouriquand, Agatha Christie novels edited to remove potentially offensive language, Euro News: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/03/29/agatha-christie-novels-edited-to-remove-potentially-offensive-language
Exploring Minority Mental Health, BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/inclusive-mental-health/exploring-minority-mental-health/
Mental Health Facts and Statistics, Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2958/statistics-facts-2017.pdf
Australian Government, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Prevalence and impact of mental illness: https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/mental-illness
Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, From Far To Here, TedX RenfrewCollingwood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TKR-IKtaCg
Karen Lawson, MD, Taking Charge of Your Health and Well-Being: How Do Thoughts and Emotions Affect Health? University of Minnesota: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-do-thoughts-and-emotions-affect-health
DiSC Profile: https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc
Tony Robbins, DiSC test: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/disc/  
How to Build Self-Confidence, MindTools: https://www.mindtools.com/ap5omwt/how-to-build-self-confidence
Tom Loncar, A decade of power posing: where do we stand? The British Psychological Society: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/decade-power-posing-where-do-we-stand
Tchiki Davis, MA, PhD, The Definition of Success: What’s Your Personal Definition, Berkeley Well-Being Institute: https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/definition-of-success.html
Bob Parsons, My 16 Rules for Success: https://bobparsons.com/16-rules/
Rainer Zitelmann, Forbes Magazine, Turning Crises Into Opportunity: The Life and Career of John D. Rockefeller: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/12/09/turning-crises-into-opportunities-the-life-and-career-of-john-d-rockefeller/?sh=5559b6591f12 
Katie Hurley, medically reviewed by Allison Young, MD, What Is Resilience? Your Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities and Crises, Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/

Books:
Cyndi Dale, Energy Healing for Trauma, Stress & Chronic Illness
Dr. Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing In A Toxic Culture

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. 
Copyright Shuvra Deb © 

Contact:
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: 
[email protected]

On today’s show I talk about some of the mental health issues that may affect us at Easter time and during the holidays in general, and I discuss what we can do to help ourselves with these. I also discuss Easter being a time of resurrection, renewal, rebirth, and hope. 

Those of you who listened to my Christmas Special on setting intentions, will know that I spoke then about having weekly or monthly check-ins with where you are with intentions. For those of you for whom the intentions may have slipped away, or maybe you are now thinking about new goals, I take you through a step-by-step exercise to help you with those goals and intentions.  

I then discuss using any fears you may have around an issue, as fuel. I’ll be talking about using fear as fuel for making changes, and for setting new intentions, either because you didn’t get round to it at the end of last year, or because, having set intentions for yourself then, you realised that those weren’t the right ones for you, and you’re looking for something new to work on.  

And what’s most exciting is that we are going to be getting creative together! 

Before you start listening, I want you to grab two pieces of paper, and a pen or pencil, and we are going to make something for ourselves today!

Topics:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:56 Recap of last week’s show
00:05:46 Summary of this week’s show
00:08:08 Mental health issues at Easter time and the holidays generally 
00:08:49 Pressure to be around family and friends 
00:11:24 Being the host
00:12:06 Eating issues being triggered
00:13:43 Resurrection – renewal, rebirth, hope
00:14:00 Jack Canfield and The Law of Attraction
00:16:01 Albert Einstein 
00:17:47 The 7 principles of the Law of Attraction
00:22:35 Hitting re-set!
00:24:42 Identify your goal
00:25:04 Identify the block 
00:27:23 Make your plan – interactive exercise 
00:30:27 Picking an intention – interactive exercise 
00:30:45 Applying my 15-Minute Rule to your intention – interactive exercise
00:37:02 Fear as fuel
00:42:26 Conquering fear
00:47:25 Conclusions 
00:48:55 Resources

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
The Wellness Center, Cayman Islands: https://wellnesscentre.ky
Jack Canfield, A Complete Guide to Using the Law of Attraction: https://jackcanfield.com/blog/using-the-law-of-attraction/
Ethan Siegel, The Three Meanings Of E=mc^2, Einstein's Most Famous Equation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2018/01/23/the-three-meanings-of-emc2-einsteins-most-famous-equation/?sh=15e2b9f71c0b
Kathryn Drury Wagner, 20 Affirmations for Public Speaking with Ease: https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2016/04/25/20-affirmations-public-speaking-ease

Book:
Jay Shetty, Think Like A Monk

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. 
Copyright Shuvra Deb © 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: 
[email protected]

On today’s show, I discuss issues surrounding isolation and loneliness. I talk about what to do when you feel lonely or isolated in a variety of different scenarios. 
I also discuss the moments when we may wish to welcome isolation and spending time alone. 
I round off my discussion by looking at some of the barriers that we may face in seeking professional help for mental illnesses, which is inspired by a recent article discussing some of the mental health struggles experienced by Ed Sheeran. 

Topics:
00:00:00 Intro 
00:02:02 Recap of last week’s show Getting Rid of “The Negatives”
00:04:09 Isolation: Avoiding It, Dealing With It – And Welcoming It For Your Mental Health
00:06:52 Humans as social animals
00:09:02 Social isolation and its physical impacts
00:11:17 Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic
00:14:29 Seniors and isolation
00:15:38 Being young and studying and isolation
00:18:33 Steps to take to combat isolation and loneliness
00:27:42 Social conditioning and lack of authenticity as isolating
00:33:32 What do when you’re spiralling
00:35:49 Welcoming isolation
00:39:26 Seeking professional help: Ed Sheeran’s experiences with depression 
00:41:48 Barriers to seeking help: shame
00:42:20 Barriers to seeking help: cultural stigmas 
00:44:28 Barriers to seeking help: assumptions made by others 
00:45:46 Barriers to seeking help: pressing the “help button” not being an immediate fix 
00:46:24 Conclusions: making the “n” in “lonely” into a “v” in “lovely” 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
The Wellness Center, Cayman Islands: https://wellnesscentre.ky
Alexandra Owen, Tell Me All I Need to Know About Oxytocin, Psycom: https://www.psycom.net/oxytocin
Kristin Fuller, MD, Does Oxytocin Affect Your Mental Health? https://www.verywellmind.com/does-oxytocin-affect-your-mental-health-5114940
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
National Institute of Ageing, Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Understanding the Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health: https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health/
Bzdok and Dunbar, Social isolation and the brain in the pandemic era, Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01453-0
Ingrid King, The Cat’s Purr: A Biomechanical Healing Mechanism? https://consciouscat.net/the-cats-purr-a-biomechanical-healing-mechanism/
Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Dan Siegel, and Dr. Elissa Epel, Living Well with Stress and Trauma: Embracing Connection, Love, and Purpose, available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78jvZ-zhT-U
Lyn Christian, How to be your Authentic Self: 7 Powerful Strategies to Be True: https://soulsalt.com/how-to-be-your-authentic-self/
BBC News, Online, Ed Sheeran ‘didn’t want to live’ after his friends Jamal Edwards and Shayne Warne died: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65031622

Books:
Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 
Ethan Kross, Chatter
Dame Stephanie Shirley, Let It Go: My Extraordinary Story – From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. 

Copyright Shuvra Deb © 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: 

[email protected]

Today’s show is about “The Negatives”. What kind of mean and negative things do you say to yourself inside your head? STOP!! 

I have some tasty solutions for managing The Negatives, some science on how our nervous systems work, solutions and tools for combatting The Negatives, and some of the reasons why we fall prey to the Negatives in the first place. 

Sit back, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy my friends. 

Topics:
00:00:00 Intro 
00:03:04 Defining “The Negatives”
00:06:13 Identify the Problems
00:07:07 Solution 1: Reframe our thoughts
00:12:35 Solution 2: Calm our nervous system 
00:13:21 Understanding the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System
00:23:27 Solution 3: Toolkit in Chatter by Ethan Kross for taming The Negatives
00:23:55 Tool 1: Distanced self-talk
00:24:44 Tool 2: See a situation as if advising a friend 
00:25:47 Tool 3: Broaden our perspective 
00:29:05 Tool 4: Reframe the experience as a challenge
00:29:46 Tool 5: Reinterpret our bodies’ chatter response
00:31:06 Tool 6: Normalize the situation you are going through 
00:32:05 Tool 7: Engage the mind in mental time travel
00:33:51 Tool 8: Fly on wall approach or watching ourselves as if in a movie
00:35:06 Tool 9: Writing expressively or Freewriting 
00:36:40 Reasons behind The Negatives 
00:37:41 Reason 1: Envy 
00:40:36 Reason 2: Comparing ourselves to others
00:43:28 Reason 3: Expectations we put on ourselves
00:45:17 Reason 4: Lacking in drive and motivation?
00:49:14 Conclusions

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
The Wellness Center, Cayman Islands: https://wellnesscentre.ky
One Bright Mental Health, Intrusive thoughts: Why do we get them?: https://onebright.com/advice-hub/news/intrusive-thoughts-why-do-we-get-them/
Very Well Fit, Negative Self Talk: What It Is and How To Reverse It: https://www.verywellfit.com/negative-self-talk-6501077
Mayo Clinic, Chronic stress puts your health at risk: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
Richard H. Smith Ph.D, Psychology Today, What Is the Difference Between Envy and Jealousy?:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/joy-and-pain/201401/what-is-the-difference-between-envy-and-jealousy
Amy Morin, Very Well Mind, What to Do When You Have No Motivation: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-do-when-you-have-no-motivation-4796954

Books:
Cyndi Dale, Energy Healing for Trauma, Stress & Chronic Illness
Ethan Kross, Chatter

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. 

Copyright Shuvra Deb © 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: 
[email protected]

On today’s show, I take us through some of the steps we can take to maintain our mental health on a day-to-day basis. 

Topics:
00:00:00 Intro 
00:03:45 Maintaining our day-to-day mental health
00:04:44 The 5 Balls of Life
00:08:00 Mental health check in buddy
00:10:20 Importance of sleep
00:17:52 Avoiding perfectionism 
00:22:55 Being of service 
00:25:25 Gratitude journal 
00:28:07 Gratitude in the workplace 
00:31:38 Meditation and mental health 
00:34:15 The Schumann Resonance 
00:37:52 Capacity to change
00:45:41 Doing nothing 
00:48:46 Clearing out the old 
00:50:23 Releasing meditation 
00:55:44 Seeking professional help
00:57:53 Conclusions 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
The 5 Balls of Life, Brian Dyson: https://www.shinecoachingbarcelona.com/en/5-balls-of-life-brian-dyson-speech/
Eric Suni, Mental Health and Sleep, The Sleep Foundation: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
Patrick Finan, Ph.D, Depression and Sleep: Understanding the Connection,Johns Hopkins Hospital: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/depression-and-sleep-understanding-the-connection
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, Blue light has a dark side: What is blue light? The effect blue light has on your sleep and more: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
Kori D. Miller, 14 Benefits of Practising Gratitude (Incl. Journaling), Positive Psychology: https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-gratitude/
Arianna Huffington, On My Mind, newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/1-big-question-my-mind-arianna-huffington/?trackingId=JgNZYr0GQoGjUIW0e1ZuGA%3D%3D  
Dr. Lisa Miller, TedX Depression and Awakening: Two Sides of One Door: https://www.lisamillerphd.com
The National Library of Medicine, Synchronization of Human Autonomic Nervous System Rhythms with Geomagnetic Activity in Human Subjects: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551208/
The Schumann Resonance: https://www.drskinhealth.com/blog/schumann-resonance
JAMA Psychiatry, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction vs Escitalo-pram for the Treatment of Adults with Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2798510?resultClick=1
David Robson, The big idea: your personality is not set in stone, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/13/the-big-idea-your-personality-is-not-set-in-stone?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3uQs_GCtuGJfB8MXextTtghFF8h8KyjwgvOjSDGH6il_5drHJIskuVuwk#Echobox=1676299775
Deepak Chopra, 7 Mantras to Create the Life You Want:https://chopra.com/articles/7-mantras-for-creating-the-life-you-want

Books:
Dr. Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture 
Dr. Lisa Miller, The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life

Music:
Deva Premal, Om Gum Ganapatyei Namaha

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

The citation of Kori D. Miller’s article, 14 Benefits of Practising Gratitude (Incl. Journaling), was incorrect in the show, and is in fact an article on Positive Psychology, as stated in these show notes with the correct citation stated above. 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]    

On today’s show, I welcome my guest Kim Wallace to speak about the work she does in the mental and spiritual wellness field. 

Topics:

00:00:00 Intro 
00:03:40 Introduction from Kim
00:04:04 De-stigmatizing mental health 
00:04:50 Generational changes to attitude on mental health
00:05:35 Background on Kim 
00:09:06 Intuitive Coaching 
00:13:00 Corporate culture 
00:15:52 Religion and spirituality 
00:17:28 Authentic You Retreats 
00:26:34 Inner Circle Authentic You Retreats 
00:31:17: Corporate workshops
00:38:00 Acts of kindness 
00:41:09 Being present and acts of kindness 
00:47:20 Achieving life balance 
00:53:55 Tips for achieving balance 
00:57:20 Conclusions 

Online resources:

Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Kim Wallace, Instagram: @authenticyou_retreats, @freespiritconnections and @kwallace.w

Note:

Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

Contact: 

Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected] 
Contact Kim Wallace at [email protected]

I bring you a Valentine’s Love Special today! I talk to you about love in the context of self-love, self-compassion and gratitude. I also touch on romantic love, and I talk about how the ego affects our ability to receive and to give love.

By giving ourselves love and compassion, we allow ourselves to step closer to being love as a state. We get to love as a state of being by practising self-compassion and self-love. 

Amongst the practises that promote self-compassion and self-love are prioritizing yourself, giving yourself a break from self-judgment, setting healthy boundaries and using positive affirmations.

I discuss the benefits of opening our heart chakras, and offer ways in which we can do this. I also take you through a heart opening guided meditation. 

Topics:
00:00:00 Intro 
00:05:21 Love as a state of being
00:06:55 Self-compassion
00:07:11 Language and self-compassion 
00:08:31 Dr. Kristen Neff and self-compassion 
00:18:00 Practising self-compassion
00:24:05 Self-love
00:25:12 Prioritizing yourself
00:27:18 Giving yourself a break from self-judgment
00:39:51 Setting healthy boundaries 
00:32:05 Positive affirmations 
00:32:40 Romantic Love 
00:32:49 Heart opening 
00:33:57 Heart opening meditation
00:40:33 Unblocking the heart – letting go of grudges and forgiving
00:41:52 Unblocking the heart – releasing pain from a previous relationship 
00:43:03 Unblocking the heart – releasing expectation
00:44:44 The 5 Love Languages
00:47:59 Exponential benefits of gratitude
00:48:41 Exponential benefits of gratitude – improved Sleep
00:49:37 Exponential benefits of gratitude – lowered blood pressure
00:50:12 Mental health benefits of gratitude – increased self-esteem
00:51:11 Emotional benefits of gratitude
00:51:54 Managing our egos when interacting with others
00:54:18 Conclusions

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Dr. Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org
Dr. Kristin Neff lecture, Berkeley Wellbeing Institute: https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/self-compassion.html
DLD College London: https://www.dldcollege.co.uk
The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Standford: http://ccare.stanford.edu
Emma Seppala, Why Some People Always Look so Darn Young and How They Do It, published in Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201805/why-some-people-always-look-so-darn-young-and-how-they-do-it?utm_source=Heleo%20Daily%20Digest&utm_campaign=f27c5d49b7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_01_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1651f20312-f27c5d49b7-216779045&mc_cid=f27c5d49b7&mc_eid=519bb2c215
Best Day Psychiatry and Counselling, Self-Compassion and Your Mental Health: https://bestdaypsych.com/self-compassion-and-your-mental-health/
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, Self-Love and What it Means: https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/self-love-and-what-it-means
Lindsay Staples, The Reason to Avoid Self-Judgment, published in Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/make-your-mind/202108/the-real-reason-avoid-self-judgment
Alyssa Mairanz, Turning off Self Judgment, Empower Your Mind Therapy: https://eymtherapy.com/blog/self-judgment/
Science of People, How to Set Boundaries: 5 Ways to Draw the Line Politely: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/how-to-set-boundaries/
Dr. Susanne Wolf, Instagram: mymentalhealthspace
Nature Sound Retreat, Heart Chakra Frequency: https://naturesoundretreat.com/heart-chakra-frequency/
5 Love Languages: https://5lovelanguages.com
Research.com, 35 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude: Mental Health Research Findings: https://research.com/education/scientific-benefits-of-gratitude
Lloyd and Atkins, Gratitude influences sleep through the mechanism of pre-sleep cognitions, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2009 
Chen and Wu, Gratitude enhances change in athletes’ self-esteem: The moderating role of trust in coach, published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2014 
The University of Texas at El Paso, Ego Love vs Authentic Love: https://www.utep.edu/healthy-miner/Resources/ego-love-vs-authentic-love.html
Science and Non-Duality, The Ego Cannot Love: https://www.scienceandnonduality.com/article/the-ego-cannot-love
Space BVI, Sarah Thompson and Felice Swapp: https://spacebvi.com

Book:
Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

Music:
Deva Premal, Aham Prema

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]

I will be running through and giving you a summary of my shows to date on today’s episode! As my Podcast starts to develop, I want to give you a chance to hear a recap of each of my shows so far to give you a better idea of their content. That way, you’ll be able to pick which episodes sound the most appealing to you, and head straight to that show. 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Psychcentral.com: https://psychcentral.com/stress/the-benefits-of-stress-management#blood-pressure
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

Please see previous show notes for comprehensive lists of resources. 

Books:
Please see previous show notes for lists of books. 

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]   

Today I talk to you in the context of recently published statistics surrounding mental health that are directly impacting the Cayman Islands, and beyond, with recently published statistics relating to mental health also published in the US and in the UK. 

2021 witnessed a 72% increase on 2020 in the number of people who attempted to take their own lives in the Cayman Islands.  Similarly worrying figures have come out of the US and the UK. In the US, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year. 1 in 20 US adults experience serious mental illness each year. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. 75% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 24. 

Meanwhile, almost 7,000 people in the Cayman Islands were diagnosed with anxiety or depression in 2021, which equates to almost 10% of the entire population of the islands. 

I discuss what we can all do as a community to reduce these numbers, including: 

1. Educating ourselves and our kids to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness or of there being a mental health issue, either in ourselves, or someone else. 
2. Participating in or volunteering at events in the community that work towards raising awareness around mental health, or creating an event of our own to raise funds for a local mental health charity. 
3. Teaching school aged people about the importance of caring for their mental health.

I discuss accounts of some of the most common mental illnesses, including post-partum depression, anxiety and depression. I also give an account of my personal experience of suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), further to being in the British Virgin Islands in 2017 when Hurricane Irma made landfall. 

I explore what employers and health insurance companies can do to protect and maintain the mental health of the workforce. I discuss productivity and how countries such as The Netherlands, which has some of the most robust and comprehensive legislation protecting workers’ mental health, also has one of the highest productivity rates of the OECD countries. 

Finally, I talk about some of the things that we can do ourselves to reduce our stress levels, thereby protecting our own mental health. 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Cayman Compass: https://www.caymancompass.com
The Guardian, Child referrals for mental health care in England up 39% in a year: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/03/child-referrals-for-mental-health-care-in-england-up-39-in-a-year
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Suicide Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
Partnership Development Group: https://www.pdgrehab.com/mental-health-statistics-2022/
Mayo Clinic, Mental Illness: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968
Facebook: @Juggling the Jenkins – Tiffany Jenkins 
Mayo Clinic, Depression (major depressive disorder): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
National Alliance on Mental Illness, My Depression In My Life: https://www.nami.org/Personal-Stories/My-Depression-in-My-Life
Cleveland Clinic, Anxiety Disorders: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders
World Health Organisation: Mental health at work: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work
Sean Peek, Business Insider, Stress and Productivity: What the Numbers Say: https://www.business.com/articles/stress-and-productivity-what-the-numbers-say/
The American Institute of Stress, Workplace Stress: https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress
Outback Team Building & Training, 14 Mental Health Awareness Month Activities for Employees: https://www.outbackteambuilding.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-month-activities/
Mauve Group, Which countries mandate workplace mental health policies?: https://mauvegroup.com/blog/which-countries-mandate-workplace-mental-health-policies
LinkedIn, The 10 Countries with the Highest Productivity in 2022: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-countries-highest-productivity-2022-workstatus/?trk=pulse-article_more-articles_related-content-card
The Canadian Mental Health Association: The Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions: https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/the-relationship-between-mental-health-mental-illness-and-chronic-physical-conditions/
Heart.org, How Does Depression Affect the Heart?: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-does-depression-affect-the-heart#:~:text=Can%20depression%20cause%20heart%20disease,can%20lead%20to%20heart%20disease
Harvard Medical School, Protect your brain from stress: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protect-your-brain-from-stress
YouTube, Tom Bilyeu interview with Sadhguru, Stop Wasting Your Life and Unlock Your Potential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1I7fqmxmA
Athena Care, 5 Tips to Calm Anxiety. Right Now: https://www.athenacare.health/5-tips-to-calm-anxiety-right-now/

Book:
Dr. Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture 

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]   

On today’s show I review five of my favourite books that I have read in the last few years. The start of the year is a great time to get going on a reading list! The five books that I discuss are: 

1. The Power of the Heart, by Baptist de Pape
2. The Body Keeps The Score, by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
3. Being Ram Dass, by Ram Dass and Rameshwar Das
4. Discover Your Dharma, by Sahara Rose; and
5. Make Your Bed, by Admiral William H. McRaven

Baptist de Pape’s The Power of the Heart is a beautiful short book providing a superb compilation of spiritual teachers’ teachings, containing excerpts of some of the great guidance they have spoken over the years. It’s a great introductory book for anyone wishing to become more spiritual, for anyone seeking out their purpose in life, or for anyone wishing to be more present in the here and now.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in his ground breaking book The Body Keeps The Score, provides an engaging and illuminating account of his professional experience in treating trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Whilst this might seem like a science textbook, it is anything but a specialist science book. The author seamlessly weaves together the science behind trauma and PTSD, and recovery from trauma and PTSD, with well-narrated stories of his patients’ journeys, and their road to treatment for trauma and PTSD.

Being Ram Dass, by Ram Dass and Rameshwar Das depicts the colourful and full life of Richard Alpert, who became Ram Dass. His was a life fully lived, enjoyed and experienced. The book describes the story of a man who was completely unafraid of taking chances, and completely unafraid of following his convictions. Ram Dass is perhaps most well-known for reminding us all to “Be Here Now”; to be present and in the moment. This account extols the benefits of having practises such as yoga and meditation, and how through those practises, we move from living from our minds, to living from our hearts – how we can all move to being love as a state of being. 

In Discover Your Dharma, Sahara Rose, who is an Ayurvedic author, and hosts a podcast called The Highest Self, shows us how to discover our dharma, which is our life’s purpose. Sahara Rose has a unique approach on how we find our true life’s purpose, or our dharma. She invites us to discover our dharma through our Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Doshas are the Ayurvedic mind-body types. The author has teased out the traits of each dosha, based on the Ayurvedic elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth), and she has devised a quiz comprising multiple choice questions. The answers to those questions get us closer to knowing our dharma.

Admiral William H. McRaven in Make Your Bed, provides ten principles he learned during his Navy SEAL training that have helped him to overcome challenges, in both his professional and personal life. The book expands upon Admiral McRaven’s inspirational speech with the same title delivered at the 2014 Commencement Address at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Eckhart Tolle, Noticing the Gaps: https://www.awakin.org/v2/read/view.php?tid=679
Sahara Rose, Dharma Quiz: www.iamsahararose.com

Podcast:
Sahara Rose, The Highest Self: https://iamsahararose.com/podcast/

Books:
Cyndi Dale, Energy Healing for Trauma, Stress & Chronic Illness
Ram Dass and Rameshwar Das, Being Ram Dass
Baptist de Pape, The Power of the Heart
Admiral William H. McRaven, Make Your Bed
Sahara Rose, Discover Your Dharma
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps The Score

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]